They are the very definition of a public holiday. But the 144 year-old tradition of banks closing to guarantee everyone a day off may be on the way out.

Shares in Asia open mixed despite US stocks closing lower and a cut to Japan's credit rating.

Oil giant BP has reported a sharp fall in profit for the three months to the end of March as the dramatic fall in oil prices takes its toll.

Whitbread sees an 18.5% rise in annual pre-tax profit, largely thanks to further growth of its Costa Coffee chain.

The Conservatives will use fines imposed on Deutsche Bank for its involvement in Libor rate-fixing to fund 50,000 apprenticeships, David Cameron will say.

Shares in London begin trading with small falls with major companies reporting failing to set the market alight.

The rate of economic growth halved in the three months to the end of March, official figures show, continuing a slowdown that began six months ago.

UK-based bank Standard Chartered posts a 22% fall in pre-tax profit for the first three months of the year.