As Britain's future membership of the European Union hangs in the balance the financial world is looking on nervously with banking and business leaders concerned about the impact a 'Brexit'.
ADVERTISEMENTAs Britain’s future membership of the European Union hangs in the balance the financial world is looking on nervously.
A majority of banking and business leaders there have expressed concerns about the impact a Brexit would have on the UK’s economy.
The financial hub known as the City of London would certainly see major changes.
Britain is more dependent on that sector than most other European countries.
It employs more than two million people and accounted for almost 12 percent of GDP in 2013, which was the last year for which figures are available.
Right now the City of London operates under uniform EU rules, which gives companies based there access to European markets to provide financial services.
Overseas organisations – for example a US bank – can benefit from that access by setting up a subsidiary in London; which would not longer be the case if Britain leaves the EU.
The big banks have said they are drawing up contingency plans, HSBC – one of the few that have commented – said it may have to move 1,000 of its 5,000 London investment banking employees to Paris.
