Our biggest stories of the week are ...
Next generation payments by Peter Ayliffe, President & CEO, Visa Europe
Peter Ayliffe, President and Chief Executive of Visa Europe, presented to the Financial Services Club this week his vision of next generation payments, and how far we could become cashless.
A long conversation about digital worlds and social banks yesterday. I was asked what is ‘social bank’, and had to explain two or three times to really get the point across. First, a social bank is not a charity. Second, it is not getting the bank onto Facebook or other social media. Now that that’s out of the way, what is a ‘social bank’?
I’m involved in a meeting and conference focused upon the future of banking. This time it’s a question of the future of corporate banking, or commercial banking if you prefer. The world of treasurers and a conversation that always returns...
Banks are “prisoners of the status quo”
Nothing to do with the band, but much more to do with being constrained when it comes to innovation, a subject that is getting more and more focus amongst the Finanser community. In this instance, it's a survey on innovation...
The True Story of Debt in the UK
Want to know the true story of debt in the UK? Well, here's a few stats and facts: Total personal debt in the UK is running at £1.45 trillion (that's £1,454,000,000,000); Individuals owe more in personal debt than the country's annual output ...
I’ve received some really bad Nigerian 419 scams over the last few years but not many have me s rolling on the floor laughing. This one did …
The major general news stories of the week include ...
The world's biggest insider traders - sort of - The Telegraph
"Psst. Psst. Want to buy some shares in Lloyds or RBS?"
Barclays Driven Out of Russia as State Banks Rise - Business Week
Barclays and Banco Santander are among western lenders abandoning retail operations in Russia as state-run companies gain market share and expand into investment banking
How the financial sector sees technology as its saviour - Financial Times
If financial groups can automate functions carried out by humans, their cost base will shrink, bolstering profits and pleasing investors, says Francesco Guerrera
Telcos Battle Google, Visa in Mobile Payment - Business Week
FSA director Verena Ross to become chief of EU regulator - The Telegraph
Verena Ross, a director of the Financial Services Authority, is set to be appointed as chief executive of the new European super-regulator.
Spain's Cajas Have $137 Billion in Iffy Loans - Business Week
Banks' profits soar as interest rates rise - The Independent
Rising UK interest rates will cause profits at Britain's high-street banks to soar this year, particularly boosting Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, which will report greatly improved results for 2010 this week.
RBS sell-off could start by the end of the year - The Independent
The Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to indicate this week that the Government will begin to sell off its stake in it before the end of the year.
Why short selling is good for capital markets - Financial Times
Short selling should be preserved – it is surely a good thing that socially valuable investments by investors like pension funds, universities and charities can be protected in falling markets. In these volatile times, what better example of social utility could there be?
Lloyds and RBS: Rebuilding the public's banks - The Telegraph
Harry Wilson reports on the story of how improved lending and lower bad debt charges helped turnaround bailed-out banks Lloyds and RBS.
If you like the Finanser, check out the books of the blog: the new Complete Banker Series
The Financial Services Club is sponsored by:
For details of sponsorship email us.
Chris M Skinner
Chris Skinner is best known as an independent commentator on the financial markets through his blog, TheFinanser.com, as author of the bestselling book Digital Bank, and Chair of the European networking forum the Financial Services Club. He has been voted one of the most influential people in banking by The Financial Brand (as well as one of the best blogs), a FinTech Titan (Next Bank), one of the Fintech Leaders you need to follow (City AM, Deluxe and Jax Finance), as well as one of the Top 40 most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal's Financial News. To learn more click here...
