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Things we’re reading today include … House Democrats challenge Deutsche Bank over review of Trump’s accounts Luxembourg’s politicians pin economic hopes on fintech drive U.S. regulators, lawmakers support Volcker rule revamp at hearing China’s ICBC says checks of loans by big acquirers are routine Biggest U.S. banks clear first hurdle …

Twenty years ago, I was working on re-engineering projects.  Most of the time I was getting exasperated because the banks wouldn’t take on the big projects, like the mortgage process, as it went across too many divisions.  That’s big risk in their view, as it meant disturbing the structure of …

Things we’re reading today include … Fat chance of delaying markets reform, EU watchdog tells City Santander buys struggling Spanish bank Popular for €1 Santander rescues rival Banco Popular from collapse HSBC faces fresh suit alleging forex manipulation RBS spends £1bn battling its own shareholders over rights issue RBS shareholders to …

For many years, I’ve been using Michael Treacy’s The Discipline of Market Leaders to talk about the business model of banking.  The book claims that all companies are comprised of three major components: a manufacturer, a processor and a retailer.  The book claims that most companies are only good at one …

I’m being asked this a lot as the value of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have increased ten-fold in the past few weeks.  Good for those who have some.  Bemusing for those who don’t.  There are a range of factors driving the rise in cryptocurrency prices, particularly the craze for Initial …

I often think we need a reality check when it comes to digital finance.  Many of the pundit analysts and influencers out there believe no one needs a branch visit and that everything can be done remotely on devices.  I don’t.  I’ve mentioned this many times and, psychologically, customers need …

I recently met a start-up bank.  They were depressed.  Having submitted their third proposal for the bank, the regulator was still pushing back.  This felt familiar.   Having seen so many new start-up banks in Britain, I was familiar with the start-up process.  It involves hellishly detailed documentation showing effective plans, …

I grew up in an era of Ska music with the Specials, Madness and The Selector being regulars on the University circuit.  One song that brought back memories of this era played on the radio the other day: Ghost Town. The main line repeated throughout the song is This town …

Things we’re reading today include … Is your money safe? Why are analysts so bullish on Lloyds Banking Group plc? Australia to hold new inquiry into ‘Big Four’ banks Goldman Sachs wins largest concessions on Volcker rule Upstart challenger banks eye consolidation Debit card control lets you ‘turn off’ card …

Things we’re reading today include … Trump is considering new Glass-Steagall-style bank rules Former Wells Fargo CEO says breaking up big banks would be a mistake JPMorgan’s Dimon says biggest fear is bad public policy Infosys plans to hire 10,000 U.S. workers after Trump targets outsourcing firms RBS lawsuit set …

I have a keynote coming up on May 19 in Amsterdam with The Next Web, who I regularly write a column for now.  Here’s my latest one: I’m delighted to be speaking at TNW on May 19 in Amsterdam.  I wanted to talk about Digital Human, the theme of my next book, …

I was recently asked a set of questions by .BANK and duly answered.  The interview is now online so I thought I would share it here … .BANK: In your book, The Future of Banking in a Globalised World, you explore the impact of regulatory change on the banking industry. With …

I blogged recently about American banks beating up the regulators to stop account access via APIs.  I heard this in various White House meetings in 2016, and assumed all banks and bank people felt the same way.  Well, they don’t.  Citi’s head of FinTech Policy, Andres Wolberg-Stok, got in touch …

Things we’re reading today include … Monzo, a UK digital-only challenger bank, granted full banking license China’s Army of Bank Tellers Retreats China curbs ‘Wild West’ P2P loan sector London and Brussels urged to agree Brexit transition deal to protect banks Banks and building societies snub Lifetime Isa launch U.S. …

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been hearing about a War on Cash.  The war, as illustrated by India’s recent demonetization, is not on cash itself but on the illegal use of cash and, by association, the fraudulent creation of cash.  Both fraudulent notes and coins along with …