Brexit: Financial Services – Preparing For Opportunities

Brexit fatigue and uncertainty should not stop businesses thinking about the risks the EU Referendum on 23 June 2016 may cause. Advance planning may help businesses to take opportunities, whatever the outcome.

In or out, results day itself is unlikely to bring immediate seismic change for most businesses, although there is evidence that markets and consumers are already spooked (see the recent The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee summary and press release about the decision to maintain the Bank rate). Investment activity and planning is beginning to stall: "There are some signs that uncertainty relating to the EU referendum has begun to weigh on certain areas of activity, as some decisions, including on capital expenditure and commercial property transactions, are being postponed pending the outcome of the vote. This might lead to some softening in growth during the first half of 2016" (The Bank of England MPC 14 April 2016).