Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 ahead of unemployment data due out later today from the US.

While the figures are unlikely to see much change there is speculation that the Federal Reserve may resort to printing more money even if the news is relatively good.

By 09:50 shares in Lloyds Banking Group were down 0.40 per cent to 73.60 pence per share, RBS shares declined 0.38 per cent to 47.64 pence per share and Barclays shares fell 2.15 per cent to 297.50 pence per share.

HSBC shares however rose 0.08 per cent to 662.10 pence per share.

Overall the FTSE 100 was down 0.36 per cent to 5,641.54.

Federal Reserve Unemployment Barclays HSBC