Lunchtime Links: BarCap is making more noises about leaving the UK; Goldman traders less competent than thought

Since January, Barclays' share price has fallen 37%. Today, while other European bank shares have rallied, it initially fell 9%, before recovering slightly - but it's still down 5% since the open.

Why is this? Many would point to the UK government's stricter than expected ring-fencing of retail banking divisions, which now looks likely to be disruptive at integrated banks like Barclays and RBS.

Bob Diamond is definitely not pleased. He's downplayed the potential for moving to the US for a while now, but the Financial Times points out that he revived the migratory theme during BarCap's conference call last week.

"It's no longer a question of whether Barclays wants to stay in the UK but whether the UK wants Barclays," said Bob. If Barclays' share price continues to fall more precipitously than other banks, Bob may decide that the UK has spoken.

Separately, Goldman's traders no longer seem quite as competent as they once were. As Bloomberg points out, they lost money on more than 15 days last quarter. Even Morgan Stanley's traders only lost money on eight days.

Bank of America fell more than 20% yesterday. (Financial Times)

This is the first time in the history of the FTSE 100 that it's fallen by more than 100 points for 4 consecutive days. (Telegraph)

Goldman's profitability has dropped markedly since the onset of the financial crisis, and the largest contributing factor is the decline in leverage. (MSNBC)

"Investors are dumping financials because there's so much confusion about what could be on their books. You've got a perfect storm against Bank of America." (Bloomberg)

UBS wants to lay off 20% of its managing directors in research. (BusinessInsider)

I left Paris because it wasn't safe... now this is a war zone. (ThisisLondon)

A middle class looter. (DailyMail)

An even more middle class rioter in chinos. (Twitpic)

Drunken female rioters quaffing Rose wine say it's all about showing rich people they can do what they want. (Audioboo)

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Kitchen staff at the Ledbury rushed out with rolling pins, fry baskets, and other dangerous kitchen tools and scared off the looters. (Gawker)