Here are the business stories making the headlines locally and across the UK this morning.
North-east couple Trevor and Marianne Mutch have sold 25% of their painting and decorating business in a multi-million-pound deal.
The pair have owned R Davidson (Banchory) since 1996.
This 25% is now owned by Barrie Gammack, Gavin McCombie, Gregor Milne, Chris Nichol and Craig Gibson who together boast nearly 60 years’ service at the company.
New banknotes featuring the portrait of King Charles III have now entered circulation, but it may be some time before they are commonly seen in wallets and purses.
The new Bank of England notes will gradually replace those which are damaged, or will be issued when demand increases.
The King is only the second monarch to appear on these notes, with Queen Elizabeth II first featuring in 1960.
Shoppers can still use current circulating £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes carrying the portrait of the late Queen
Turriff SNP councillor Alastair Forsyth suspended after leaking secret asylum seeker hotel update
A Turriff councillor has been suspended for two months after leaking a confidential email to a reporter.
SNP member Alastair Forsyth reported himself to Standards Commission watchdogs after an internal probe revealed he had passed on the confidential information.
Last August, a top secret message was sent to councillors regarding plans to turn Turriff Care Home into accommodation for asylum seekers.
The email revealed talks were being held with care provider Mears and the Home Office to house 46 women in the former facility on Woodlands Crescent.
Labour will push ahead with NatWest stake sale, vows Reeves
A Labour government would still push ahead with a public sale of NatWest shares as long as it provided “value for money”, Rachel Reeves has suggested.
The shadow chancellor said she had no plans to “deviate” from the course set by the Conservative regime in Downing Street.
The bank was nationalised by Labour during the 2008 financial crisis when it was still named Royal Bank of Scotland.
While the holding has been steadily shrinking in recent years, the government still owns 22.15%. It fell from 37.98% in December as a result of a continuing trading plan and the bank buying back shares directly from the Treasury.