Grid

I don’t like posting twice a day but, at a time of ‘peace-keeping’, it seems worthwhile because it’s interesting. It’s interesting that when there’s a war somewhere else, it doesn’t matter. I always remember hosting  Jaz and Nils O’Hara of the Worldwide Tribe at the Financial Services Club in 2016 talking about the Calais Jungle. Do you…

During the weekend, there was some real action against Russia and specifically Vladimir Putin. The aim is to freeze Russia’s assets, worth around $630 billion, around the world. ‘A global financial pariah’: how central bank sanctions could hobble Russia The ban on Moscow’s use of its roughly $630bn of foreign reserves will harm [the country’s]…

This week’s main blog discussions include … The last thing we need is for banks to innovate I stumbled across an interesting report by Clarivate who, using a statistical analysis, have identified the 100 most innovative companies in the world. Technology advancement is a complex composition of talent, of competition and of need. New ideas…

I stumbled across an interesting report by Clarivate who, using a statistical analysis, have identified the 100 most innovative companies in the world. Technology advancement is a complex composition of talent, of competition and of need. New ideas emanate from everywhere scientists, engineers and developers reside. What is the methodology? They basically take the inventiveness…

If you didn’t notice, there’s been an interesting thing going on State-side about crypto. It all started off with the 2022 Superbowl (well done the Rams and commiserations to the Bengals), where crypto ads were more present than any other ads. Despite the hype, none of the cryptocurrency commercials at the big game made any…

I was thinking about the balance between money, wealth and power, versus health, happiness and love. Is it versus or is it inclusive? Is happiness related to wealth, or is it true that money can’t buy you love? Obviously it’s an existential question and, tbh, I’ve met many happy people who are dirt poor and…

So I blog about money laundering and state versus individual, and find two interesting threads that relate to both. First, if you’re a libertarian then think again. The state is going to crackdown. From ZDNet: Cybercriminals managed to launder at least $8.6 billion worth of cryptocurrency in 2021, according to a new report from blockchain…

For some years, I’ve been close to many of what are now European FinTech unicorns. One of them is a firm based in Dublin, Fenergo. Nice people and, back when I first met them, hungry for business in the regtech and client lifecycle management (CLM) space. Now, they are a leader in that space, valued…

This week’s main blog discussions include … Should you have ‘bank’ in your brand? The Financial Brand published an interesting piece challenging the use of the word bank in a brand. It got me thinking, and agreeing with their summation, which is yes. Sure, you can have Chime, Chase, Citizens and Truist, but is that…

I find myself bemused by job titles these days. When I was a lad, it was Managing Director, Director and Manager. Now it’s Chief this and Chief that and Head of this and Head of that. So, I checked out the job titles that do exist in real life but should not. Here’s my shortlist….