Category: Innovation

Innovation

Public Policy and the Future of the internet

Colin Henderson

Thanks to JP for this link to a speech at PEW, by Lee Rainie.  There is a wonderful simplicity, and clarity capured within these three policy matters for internet.  They are policy, but they are also areas that require development, new tools to support, and likely help policy along.  I cannot imagine awaiting policy makers to do something. Of librarians, preachers and 911 operators…. | confused of calcutta I want to highlight three major areas of policy ferment that will play out in the coming decade. The first policy debate involves what kind of internet we have – from an … Continue reading Public Policy and the Future of the internet

Business Models, Innovation3 Comments

Enterprise 2.0 – current state of use of web 2.0 tools in Banks and Credit Unions

Colin Henderson

Don puts a positive spin on the McKinsey and other articles regarding Enterprise 2.0, which we covered here … roughly defined (my definition) as the transformation of Enterprise technologies to accommodate Employee to Employee, Customer to Customer, and Employee to Customer interactions. These changes would bring about increased “collective intelligence” than exists today. Don is rightly looking at all firms … I was focussed on the fact that Banks lag, and will continue that theme below. The numbers McKinsey provides from actual business leaders seems to indicate that broad, active interest in collective intelligence is rapidly forming in the offices of … Continue reading Enterprise 2.0 – current state of use of web 2.0 tools in Banks and Credit Unions

Business Models, Innovation, Payments2 Comments

Online consumers in 20 countries can now shop, play and pay online without debit or credit cards

Colin Henderson

 Interesting development here. Recently I saw something about a Chinese venture called QQ for online payments.  Now here is Ukash in Europe.  Currently issued in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Germany, Ukash is now available for the millions of consumers in 16 additional countries across Europe who don’t have or don’t wish to use credit or debit cards online. Source: Finextra: UKash expands across Europe Place this in context of my earlier post regarding online security… aside form the obvious money laundering issues, this type of payment is one way for a customer to insulate themselves from identity theft, by reducing … Continue reading Online consumers in 20 countries can now shop, play and pay online without debit or credit cards

Innovation, Wireless2 Comments

Mount Lehman Credit Union – inhouse wireless banking system

Colin Henderson

Thanks to some notes in the comments Gene, on this wireless banking post, here are some details on a highly innovative approach taken to build a solution in house. Whenever you use your MemberCard at an ATM or at an Interac merchant to purchase something, that transaction information will be sent to a cell phone in the form of a text message and that message will come to you very quickly. This is the verification that your MemberCard has just been used. Source: Mount Lehman Credit Union – Personal Banking    This is in line with another innovative in-house approach … Continue reading Mount Lehman Credit Union – inhouse wireless banking system

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, Innovation

A new asset class for investors – unsecured personal loans (Zopa)

Colin Henderson

Zopa pushes the boundaries and introduces more disruption within financial services, by bundling loans granted through its service, into Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) eligible investments. Social lender Zopa is offering Sipp investors the chance to make between 6% and 14% on their cash in the run up to retirement. Last week, Zopa revealed it was agreeing operational details with a number of specialist self invested personal pension with the view to offering its lending facility as a separate asset class within a Sipp wrapper. James Alexander of Zopa noted: ‘It will be very attractive to those over 55 who want … Continue reading A new asset class for investors – unsecured personal loans (Zopa)

Innovation2 Comments

Trabian is releasing their Credit Union CMS as Open Source!

Colin Henderson

 Trabian continue to lead the charge within the Credit Union movement, by releasing their Content Management solution as Open Source. Trabian (the people behind OSCU) just announced that they are releasing their Credit Union focused Content Management System (CMS) as Open Source. Source: (building the) Black Rock Federal Credit Union » Trabian is releasing their Credit Union CMS as Open Source!   Technorati tags: Trabain, Open+source, CMS Continue reading Trabian is releasing their Credit Union CMS as Open Source!

Innovation

Finextra: Barclays launches overseas mortgage Web site

Colin Henderson

Barclays launch a mortgage site for customers seeking mortgages outside of UK.  The website reinforces Barclays position as a leading player in the overseas mortgage market and is a key component in the bank’s strategy to increase the amount of business it does with intermediaries and increase its market share in overseas mortgages. Buying property abroad has become increasingly popular with British people over recent years and selling overseas mortgages could provide an additional source of income for many intermediaries. Source: Finextra: Barclays launches overseas mortgage Web site   Technorati tags: Barclays, mortgages, non+resident Continue reading Finextra: Barclays launches overseas mortgage Web site

Innovation

MoneyWorks for Credit Union member recruitment

Colin Henderson

 Credit Unions continue to amaze me with their innovation, from Filene in this case. (hat tip Doug) To grow membership through personal guerilla marketing, you can find details of this innovative grass-roots channel to membership growth and relationship development – including further explanation of the multi-level marketing option as well as sample surveys, tracking program demos, and an Advocate job description – in the i3 section of this Web site or by calling Filene Research Institute at ,,,, Source: MoneyWorks Executive Summary : Filene Research Institute Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but they are willing to try … Continue reading MoneyWorks for Credit Union member recruitment