Opinion

I got caught up in a debate about pay and remuneration in finance this week. This is because Stephen Hester at RBS had his package hiked to £9.6 million if he delivers all of his targets – of which the main target appears to be achieving a 70 pence share price as that will make…

The shock death of Michael Jackson last night created a raft of news stories about how it has impacted the world of global connections via the internet. From the crash of Google, to the explosion of Facebook and Tweets about him, to the proof that we can't even spell his name, to amazing tributes (and…

The shock death of Michael Jackson last night created a raft of news stories about how it has impacted the world of global connections via the internet. From the crash of Google, to the explosion of Facebook and Tweets about him, to the proof that we can't even spell his name, to amazing tributes (and…

I was asked twice yesterday about cloud computing. Firstly by a friend who wanted to know how it related to payments; and then by another mate in the investment world. The latter was inspired by a new report from IBM and SIFMA that states that cloud computing is ready for prime time: A survey of…

A year ago, I wrote a line in a blog: “Boy, how the markets have changed in a year. We now see investment bankers facing hard times and selling second homes or pawning their Aston Martins and Rolex watches, as their wives divorce them before poverty strikes. We see hedge fund managers faking suicide leaps…

A year ago, I wrote a line in a blog: “Boy, how the markets have changed in a year. We now see investment bankers facing hard times and selling second homes or pawning their Aston Martins and Rolex watches, as their wives divorce them before poverty strikes. We see hedge fund managers faking suicide leaps…

Yesterday, I presented the second in a series of webinars focusing upon Global Bank Trends. The first presentation looked at these trends generally.  You can watch and hear the hour-long webinar by clicking here or view and download the presentation: The second presentation focused upon trends in mobile financial services, and covers key developments in…

Over a dinner this week, there was a fascinating discussion about the role of compliance. Compliance. A culture or a function? A view of complying and being subservient or of being proactively compliant. Compliance as a painful enforced change or an opportunity to re-engineer and improve. Compliance. Threat or opportunity? To be truthful, compliance can…

Over a dinner this week, there was a fascinating discussion about the role of compliance. Compliance. A culture or a function? A view of complying and being subservient or of being proactively compliant. Compliance as a painful enforced change or an opportunity to re-engineer and improve. Compliance. Threat or opportunity? To be truthful, compliance can…

When I began talking to banks many moons ago, everyone referred to payments as “Money Transmissions”. Money Transmissions were the core service of the bank. Money Transmissions were payments, and Money Transmissions locked customers into the bank because of their high frequency and regular contact with the customer. Money Transmissions were the ultimate banking service…