Category: Business Models

Business Models, Open Finance

Top careers for the next few years is telling for Banks’

Colin Henderson

 US News produces a list of the top careers for the next few years, and there are some surprises, at least for me, and the speed of social transition.  U.S. News has sifted through trends in the economy and the workplace and has identified 25 professions that will be in growing demand as baby boomers age, the Internet becomes ubiquitous, and Americans seek richer, simpler lives. Source: USNews.com: Best Careers 2007 Here is the list – surprises for me: lack of scientists lack of technology (except for System Analyst) No Financial jobs!  Bankers beware! Medical related and Management Consultant comprise … Continue reading Top careers for the next few years is telling for Banks’

Business Models

Toyota Bank Poland – including smart cards, and online banking tokens

Colin Henderson

A contact in Poland sent me this updated link, that we reported on last December.  The site seems to be up and running now, with the obvious lead of a Toyota branded Visa card. Link to Toyota Bank What in particular caught my attention, is the Toyota branded security token for online banking.   Technorati tags: Toyota+Bank, Poland Continue reading Toyota Bank Poland – including smart cards, and online banking tokens

Business Models1 Comment

McKinsey notes Banks lag in use of Web 2.0, for security reasons

Colin Henderson

 Interesting survey noted here at Finextra, completed by McKinsey.  It indicates web services, and internal p2p, collective intelligence activities are preferred over wikis’ blogs and podcast’s.  More than 75 percent of the executives said they plan to maintain or increase their investments in technology trends that encourage user collaboration such as: peer-to-peer networks, which allow for efficient file sharing; social networking; and Web services, which make it easier for different systems to communicate with one another automatically. Source: Execs prefer Web services, P2P to mashups, wikis and blogs | News.blog | CNET News.com Of particular interest to this blog, is … Continue reading McKinsey notes Banks lag in use of Web 2.0, for security reasons

Business Models, Social networks1 Comment

Social software · War for talent, corporate culture and social software · Shaping Thoughts

Colin Henderson

Some interesting notes from Marcel on the internal workings within ABN Amro.  Internal research on the corporate culture has shown that employees are afraid to speak up, fearing management backlash and impacting ones’ career. ABN AMRO management thinks that in order to remain competitive it needs a more open culture in which people feel comfortable to give feedback and provide idea’s for improvement. Source: Social software · War for talent, corporate culture and social software · Shaping Thoughts Its bizarre story including a fake guru, who wormed his way into the Bank to help them address their problem. Anyhow, Marcel asks the … Continue reading Social software · War for talent, corporate culture and social software · Shaping Thoughts

Business Models2 Comments

"I did! I did taw a puddy tat!" – The great Tweeter debate, is the wrong debate

Colin Henderson

 I am increasingly fascinated by the debate on the Twitter phenomenon.  Twitter in case you haven’t heard, is the latest thing in the social space.  It permits users to type in any brief comment, of up to 140 characters, any time they wish.  It has been referred to as micro-blogging.  The encouragement is to talk about anything, and everything, what you are doing where you are going, what you are feeling, thinking, etc. The great paradox of ‘social networking’ is that it uses narcissism as the glue for ‘community’. Being online means being alone, and being in an online community … Continue reading "I did! I did taw a puddy tat!" – The great Tweeter debate, is the wrong debate

Business Models

What you are reading about mostly, at Bankwatch

Colin Henderson

Here are the stats for the last 30 days ranked by page views for individual posts.  These stats are based on clicks to an individual post.  It won’t count those who read something on the main page.  So its directional only. Wesabe is the clear winner by several lengths.  Other observations: future oriented works for most Second Life/ virtual is popular – something new and original Banks without branches intrigues 2007-02-15 to Today  Title                                                                                                Views Wesabe leads the way in all financial services  235  How to web 2.0 your bank  163  Banks in Second Life – worth a look  105  … Continue reading What you are reading about mostly, at Bankwatch

Business Models, Social networks

BBC approach to Enterprise 2.0

Colin Henderson

 I love this mini-manifesto from the Beeb describing their approach to social media internally with a view to improving the organisation. DO NOTHING GET OUT OF THE WAY and KEEP THE ENERGY LEVELS UP Source: Wiki and Social Media roundup I especially like this quote: His argument is that it’s going to happen in your organisation anyway, so ….   Technorati tags: social+networks, BBC Continue reading BBC approach to Enterprise 2.0

Business Models, Innovation7 Comments

Countering the Big-Bank Trend (US)

Colin Henderson

Even though the number of banks in the US has reduced to 7,402 at the end of last year from 14,411 banks in 1977, there remains a significant opportunity for community sized Banks to compete.  They can bring a customer focus and clarity of vision that is hard to accomplish in larger institutions.  This is evidenced by new ones being set up every year. (Hat tip Neil) A small bank is the vein that carries blood to the heart, said Edward Carpenter, chairman of Carpenter & Company, an investment bank that in 33 years has organized the founding of 708 … Continue reading Countering the Big-Bank Trend (US)

Business Models, Profitability1 Comment

America’s subprime lenders create a domino effect problem amongst lenders

Colin Henderson

 Some background on the subprime lender problem in the US. The trouble started with New Century, which had become the nation’s second biggest lender to would-be homeowners with dodgy credit histories or little cash for a down payment. Last month New Century said it would be restating its earnings, triggering investigations into how it has accounted for its bad loans. Lenders have not only cut off all credit lines, many also demanded accelerated repayment of outstanding loans—which New Century says it cannot make. If the rest of its lenders demand their money back New Century will be on the hook … Continue reading America’s subprime lenders create a domino effect problem amongst lenders

Business Models, Social Lending, Social networks

If I were a Banker …. a view from France

Colin Henderson

The always intelligent blog of Jean-Christophe posts a provocative view of Banking evolution. While the Mutual Credit launches an advertising campaign where it asks its customers what they would do if they were bankers, the bank of tomorrow is already moving& elsewhere Source: Translated version of http://capelli.typepad.fr/capelli/2007/03/si_jtais_banqui.html The English translation, courtesy of Google is here. Even with the rough translation, I like this point, that is fundamental to the success of social integration with real business – transparency and yet confidentiality.  Note I had to add some prepositions to make it closer to the French original: New tendency of Web 2.0 … Continue reading If I were a Banker …. a view from France