A month ago NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) would have expected a fairly calm set of interim results focusing on its UK and investment banking divisions.
That was before Nigel Farage's Coutts account was closed, sparking a battle with the bank that ended with the toppling of boss Alison Rose.
Although Rose's departure will have little impact on the financials it will be interesting to see who takes her place in leading the press conference and answering questions.
Chairman Howard Davies is the most experienced of contenders, having been in the role for nearly eight years.
Yet, it could be interim boss Paul Thwaite leading proceedings, a potential signal of NatWest's readiness to move on with life after Rose.
In other FTSE 100 reporting, AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) gets a chance to show the City why it’s top dog of the blue chip index, having hit an all-time high in April but retreated since.
British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (LSE:IAG) has the potential to outperform as major airlines benefit from strong passenger demand, one investment bank said ahead of these second-quarter results.
Another downgraded across the sector due to a predicted drop in air fares, while investors may also be interested in what is said about the Russian cyberattack earlier in the summer.
Elsewhere, Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN) close off the week’s banking updates, having outperformed since May.
In the first quarter, it upped its full-year guidance after a strong first quarter, with profits up by 25% and a promise to pay out US$5bn to shareholders by 2024.
Later in the day, US earnings include Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), where investors solidly rejected climate change proposals at the US oil majors’ annual meetings back in May.
Significant announcements
Trading updates: AstraZeneca PLC, Paragon Banking Group PLC (LSE:PAG)
Interims: IMI PLC (LSE:IMI), International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, Intertek Group PLC (LSE:ITRK), Morgan Advanced Materials plc (LSE:MGAM), NatWest Group PLC, Rightmove PLC (LSE:RMV), Standard Chartered PLC, Vanquis Banking Group PLC
US earnings: Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), The Proctor & Gamble Company
AGMs: African Pioneer PLC (LSE:AFP), Bezant Resources PLC (AIM:BZT) (BZT)PLC, Group PLC, Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Ltd (LSE:CORD), DP Poland PLC (AIM:DPP), Helical (LSE:HLCL) PLC, Jangada Mines PLC (AIM:JAN), Mercantile Ports & Logistics Ltd, MetalNRG PLC (LSE:MNRG), Northern 2 VCT PLC, Oxford Instruments PLC (AIM:OXIG), R&Q Insurance Holdings Ltd (AIM:RQIH), Science In Sport PLC, Xtract Resources PLC (LSE:XTR)
Economic announcements: Employment Cost Index (US), Personal Consumption Expenditures (US), Personal Income (US), Personal Spending (US), Chicago PMI (US), University of Michigan Confidence (US)