If anyone is having trouble finding the Independent Commission on Banking preliminary report, they have a new link here. http://bankingcommission.independent.gov.uk/bankingcommission/ Our website is experiencing extremely high volumes of traffic. To access the Interim Report, please use the links below: Press release [78KB, PDF] Interim Report – Executive Summary [455KB, PDF] Interim Report – full document [2.3MB, PDF] They have been getting extremely high traffic. I will be back later once I have digested.  Even the executive summary is 8 pages.  What is it about ‘summary’ that government does not understand?  The main report is 214 pages. Technorati Tags: ICB,Independent Commission … Continue reading Independent Commission on Banking post an alternative link for the report

Scoble the other day noted color.com, but he noted in a way that this photo sharing app is much more and different.  I did not get it at first, then while sitting with a fellow geek in a local watering hole, he was trying to show me what it did on his iphone, then he stopped and said “who is that” – I noted that is the fellow across the table who had just joined us.  That new person automatically showed in his network. In short color shows you who is nearby, and in addition adds up the people you … Continue reading color.com introduces a subtle geo-location element to social interaction

The Independent Commission on Banking is to release its preliminary report tomorrow (11th April) and the FT is reporting that the impact on UK banks will be to ‘ring fence’ parts of the bank, presumably Investment Banking and regular ‘utility’ banking.  I read elsewhere that the further results will be regulation on activities and on capital held against the ring fenced units.  Until tomorrow. UK banks escape radical restructuring The Independent Commission on Banking, chaired by Sir John Vickers, is instead expected to propose that banking groups ringfence “essential” banking services, in effect building a wall around deposit-taking, small business … Continue reading Independent Commission on Banking report out 11th April

Strong signals coming out on the April 11th release of the Independent Commission on Banking report that it will include some form of separation of High St banking from other more risky parts of banks.  Also, though a newer aspect has crept in whereby the operational plumbing will somehow also be curtained off. Bank panel report set to cheer investors | FT.com The interim report will indicate the Commission’s clear preference for how the banks should be restructured, leaving only technicalities to be worked through by September. It will build on a speech by Sir John in January in which … Continue reading UK banks expecting significant changes to their balance sheet from ICB report

Irish banks are being forced to face reality.  Irish banks need €24bn after stress tests | ft.com Ireland’s stricken banking sector will require €24bn in additional capital, pushing the total cost of the government’s rescue to about €70bn (£62bn). As the results of stress tests on the country’s banks were revealed, the government announced a radical shake-up of the industry aimed at restoring investor confidence in Ireland’s banking sector, which remains dependent on the European Central Bank. Continue reading Irish banks must increase capital to reflect the risk they took on

EDIT 11th April, 2011:  Interim report issued 11th April – for my first look click here The UK Independent Commission on Banking will report 11th April, and things are heating up.  They are expected to propose (the obvious) separation of retail and investment banking.  This is placing pressure on the coalition government, and it will be interesting to see how much we remember 2008 versus political realities. Push to keep peace on UK bank reform The Independent Commission on Banking, chaired by Sir John Vickers, will present its interim findings on April 11, with the final report due in September. … Continue reading UK Independent Commission on Banking report driving government attempts at compromise

A new report from World Bank released today draws the connection between African migration, and the resultant need for payment remittances which in turn generates economic benefits for local economies. African migration generates win-win benefits, says new report | World Bank The report, Leveraging Migration for Africa: Remittances, Skills, and Investments, presents data from new surveys. The report finds evidence that suggest migration and remittances reduce poverty in the origin communities. Remittances lead to increased investments in health, education, and housing in Africa. Diasporas also provide capital, trade, knowledge, and technology transfers. Leveraging Migration for Africa: Report (pdfs) Complete Report … Continue reading Leveraging Migration for Africa: Remittances, Skills, and Investments | World Bank