Chris Skinner's blog

Shaping the future of finance

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The Finanser’s Week: 21st May – 28th May 2023

This week’s main blog discussions include … Some challenger banks are challenged I’ve written quite a lot about Revolut and Monzo, as well as many other challenger banks. Now, as we hit hard times with rising inflation, interest rates and a recession looming in so many markets what’s the state of the fintech nation? Well, it’s challenging…

Things worth reading: 26th May 2023

Things we’re reading today include … Starling Bank founder steps down as CEO to avoid potential conflict of interest Starling’s results are more proof that high interest rates could be a boon for fintech JPMorgan lays off 1,000 First Republic bank employees in ‘four-minute, scripted phone call’ HSBC went DOWN leaving hundreds of customers without…

Things worth reading: 25th May 2023

Things we’re reading today include … Chinese Labs Are Selling Fentanyl Ingredients for Millions in Crypto AI’s Pioneering Influence on Fintech How to fundraise as a consumer fintech in the middle of the downturn Staff at one of Australia’s biggest banks openly revolt over work from home ban HSBC sued by Silicon Valley Bank’s new…

Things worth reading: 24th May 2023

Things we’re reading today include … Exec churn and cash burn leaves N26 a long way from IPO Digital banking group Tyme lands $77.8m in pre-Series C funding Piers Morgan authorised reporters to hack into bank account Is politics monopolising fintech? Fintech chiefs debate the future of UK’s digital economy in Parliament Global watchdog calls…

Things worth reading: 23rd May 2023

Things we’re reading today include … Barclays bank slashes opening hours at most of its remaining branches Do People Still Go To The Bank? Yes, Says JPMorgan As It Plans Branch Expansion What’s at stake for Revolut if its UK banking licence isn’t granted? Ripple v. SEC: Crypto Lawyer Makes Startling Prediction as Case Resolution…

Things worth reading: 22nd May 2023

Things we’re reading today include: Rich List 2023: Which bankers and fintech billionaires came out on top? This fintech segment saw a flurry of fundraises I had £42k in my account, then the bank just took it Revolut faces new legal battle over ‘enabling’ £600,000 fraud 40% of Surveyed African Banks See Fintech and Telcos…

The Finanser’s Week: 15th May – 21st May 2023

This week’s main blog discussions include … Decentralised versus centralised On the one hand we want order and control; on the other, we don’t want to be ordered or controlled. We want governance, but we don’t want to be governed. We appreciate structure, but we don’t want to have that structure tell us what to…

Things worth reading: 19th May 2023

Things we’re reading today include … Bank of England plans to reject Revolut’s banking licence application Revolut offered to withdraw UK application amid fears it will be rejected Regulators Rebut Claims by Silicon Valley Bank’s Ex-C.E.O. How Deutsche Bank Was Connected To Jeffrey Epstein—And What Its $75 Million Payout To Survivors Could Mean For Other…

Things worth reading: 18th May 2023

Things we’re reading today include … Crypto trading should be ‘regulated as gambling’, say MPs Deutsche Bank to pay $75m over sex-trafficking lawsuit Bosses of failed US banks say it was nothing to do with them UK’s biggest banks first quarter results roundup – what investors need to know There’s a growing case for allowing…

Things worth reading: 17th May 2023

Things we’re reading today include: Failed bank execs see blame everywhere, except in the mirror Ex-First Republic CEO blames contagion for bank’s collapse Jamie Dimon says it’s ‘unlikely’ that JPMorgan Chase will acquire another struggling bank HSBC to unveil shake-up of Silicon Valley Bank UK board Western Union rival Zepz lays off 26% of employees…