Close Brothers takes 90 per cent profit hit after Novitas write off

Close Brothers Group plc is a United Kingdom-based merchant banking company providing lending, deposit taking, wealth management services and securities trading. The Company's segments include commercial, retail, property, asset management and securities. The commercial segment lends to small and medium-sized enterprises through its direct sales force and third-party distribution channels. This segment includes asset finance, and invoice and specialty finance. The retail segment provides finance to individuals and businesses through a network of intermediaries. This segment includes motor finance and premium finance. The property segment includes property finance and commercial acceptances. The asset management segment provides financial advice and investment management services to private clients in the United Kingdom. The securities segment is a market maker, delivering execution services to stockbrokers, wealth managers, institutional investors and other market counterparties.