Swiss weekly newspaper Sonntag has reported that UBS apparently recently warned some of its wealth management clients that it may have to disclose their details to US tax authorities, following the settlement of that US tax probe.

The trouble is, the bank is said to have sent the advice by registered mail - a method which is traceable, and will enable the US tax authorities to identify the clients well before the bank actually gets round to handing over their details.

And The Times reports that Nomura recently sent an e-mail, with English translation, to staff at its Tokyo HQ. The e-mail reminded staff that 'gay color nail polish and manicure' were outside the firm's dress code. Some of the male traders are thought to have been gutted. More were confused, however, when the e-mail gave guidance on trousers: 'Wear the ones gives to the ankle to the height of pants'. Come again ?

In the meantime, Reuters reports that, according to a court filing, senior Lehman executives were aware that they had sold the firm's US businesses to Barclays at a $5bn discount. Lehman has claimed that, due to a mistake, Barclays underpaid for the assets and should make good the difference. The matter looks like ending up in court.

And Bank of America posted a third-quarter loss of $1bn Friday, although Merrill Lynch's global markets and investment banking businesses brought home the bacon in the period - producing profits of $2.2bn. Perhaps BofA CEO Ken Lewis was right about Merrill all along.

The Financial Times also reports that the bank has handed over 'a swath' of documents to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which detail the legal advice (both internal and external) the bank was given pursuant to the Merrill Lynch acquisition. Now the fun begins.

Finally, The New York Post reports that, according to 'people familiar with the situation', private equity firm Blackstone has struggled to raise the $20bn it originally sought for a new buyout fund. The fundraising is said to have started in early 2008, and is currently thought to be about $11bn below target.

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