BANKING Financial services sector suffers bloody nose in summer months BRITAIN’S financial services sector has seen business volumes slide unexpectedly in a “tough quarter” in the three months to September, triggering the first fall in profitability in more than three years, a new survey has revealed (Scotsman). Read all today’s banking news from scotsman.com FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE Matthew Algie benefits from tight rein on costs VENERABLE Scottish coffee firm Matthew Algie managed to increase profits despite “difficult” conditions thanks to efficiency savings at its Glasgow plant. The 148-year-old business saw a slight decline in turnover last year, down £100,000 to £33.1million (Scotsman). Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com INDUSTRY Industry lobby group says goodbye to man who recast Scottish engineering TRADE body Scottish Engineering will come under new leadership next year after revealing long-standing chief executive Peter Hughes is to step down. The support group for the engineering industry in Scotland said yesterday that former Bausch & Lomb director Bryan Buchan will take over the top job on 1 January (Scotsman) HQ expansion paves way for jobs increase A Moray engineering business is targeting new markets and plans to grow its workforce after expanding its headquarters. AJ Engineering and Construction Services invested £700,000 in extending its Forres offices and workshop and has now set its sights on serving the oil and gas industry in future (P&J). Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com MEDIA & LEISURE Heavy rain, Olympics and poor economy blamed for visitors fall in Scotland TOURISM leaders have admitted visitor numbers to Scotland are set to plummet this year – with prolonged bad weather and the struggling economy being blamed for a “challenging” 2012 (http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/heavy-rain-olympics-and-poor-economy-blamed-for-visitors-fall-in-scotland-1-2556604|Scotsman|Scotsman}). Read all today’s media and leisure news from scotsman.com RETAIL Spending on stores hits profit at Fraser Hart FRASER Hart, the Glasgow-based jewellers established by the reclusive Hill family, saw pre-tax earnings fall 26.8% to £3.7 million as increased spending on its stores more than offset rising sales (Herald). Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com