Business Models, Innovation2 Comments

A Sure Sign that we are at a Turning Point in Mobility and Use of Internet

Colin Henderson

I noticed an ad on CNN this afternoon, that really shows the gap that lies between old business and new business. The topic here is personal use of technology – how individual managers and executives use it. This reflects personal,and therefore institutional effectiveness. It reflects the difference in things happening over days, versus over months. The ad was for GotoMyPC that “allows you to access your PC from anywhere in the word”. Its a funny ad that begins with a travelling executive who realises the information he needs is on his PC back at the home office, so he sends … Continue reading A Sure Sign that we are at a Turning Point in Mobility and Use of Internet

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Concern over banks and ‘dark pools’ reaches G20

Colin Henderson

A new concern has arisen over the growth of ‘dark pools’ or private unregulated trading exchanges, where banks and large investors are trading derivatives off balance sheet. IT is significant enough to have come to the attention of this weeks G20. Exchanges issue warning on spread of ‘dark pools’ | ft.com The world’s stock and derivatives exchanges on Tuesday warned the Group of 20 leaders that the continued “proper functioning” of their markets could not be taken for granted because of a proliferation of alternative trading venues such as “dark pools”. This is relevant because the near $ 1 trillion … Continue reading Concern over banks and ‘dark pools’ reaches G20

AI6 Comments

Survey shows shift in consumer preference away from visiting bank branches

Colin Henderson

This is a significant survey with online banking leading over branches for the first time in consumer preference. (ht netbanker) ABA SURVEY: CONSUMERS PREFER ONLINE BANKING Survey shows shift in consumer preference away from visiting bank branches WASHINGTON – A new survey by the American Bankers Association shows that for the first time, more bank customers (25 percent) prefer to do their banking online compared to any other method. …. “This marks a watershed change,” said Nessa Feddis, ABA senior counsel and retail banking expert. “It tells us that for the first time, more consumers prefer the speed and convenience … Continue reading Survey shows shift in consumer preference away from visiting bank branches

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Moody’s has not recovered nor learned any lessons apparently

Colin Henderson

This is a dramatic situation for Moody’s and the state of the rating agencies. NY Officials Cast Doubts on Moody’s | FT US insurance regulators are expected to discuss dropping Moody’s Investors Service from a list of acceptable rating organisations at a meeting later this week, according to an official in the New York Insurance Department, reports Reuters. This from the Reuters piece. They have not recovered from the credibility gap associated with the financial crisis. The insurance industry has $3 trillion in rated bonds in the insurance industry alone. The three leading ratings firms — Moody’s, Fitch and Standard … Continue reading Moody’s has not recovered nor learned any lessons apparently

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Thoughts on the real-time web, and the fallacy of the wisdom of crowds

Colin Henderson

The big meme at the moment is the real-time web. I have a couple of points to make here, that might help understand the current state of internet. If like me you are fed up of hearing CNN reporters say "and over here on Twitter mightymouse says ….. " then read on, and hopefully this helps define your own perspective. The broad notion of real time is that the internet is series of information snippets that can be pulled together from disparate sources across the web. By immersing yourself in this pool of information through tools such as twitter, Facebook, … Continue reading Thoughts on the real-time web, and the fallacy of the wisdom of crowds

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Google Internet Stats

Colin Henderson

Although on the co.uk domain only, this is a very useful new site from Google. One to save for future reference. Google Internet Stats This Google resource brings together the latest industry facts and insights. These have been collected from a number of third party sources covering a range of topics from macroscopic economic and media trends to how consumer behaviour and technology are changing over time. HT to ReadWriteWeb Continue reading Google Internet Stats

Payments, SEPA, US

Non Cash Growth as a barometer of Payment Innovation

Colin Henderson

CapGemini have come out with their World Payments Report – 2009 [pdf 60 pages]. Lots of statistics, but the one that leapt out at me is this. Japan stands out as a growth leader, despite being a mature economy.   Certainly their growth potential is large given the traditional consumer cash economy, but I have to look at the North American lowly 5% and wonder that lack of innovation in payments is not a driver. Certainly there remains lots of cash transactions to convert to payments but nominal innovation in the works to migrate to electronic.  The report notes that cash … Continue reading Non Cash Growth as a barometer of Payment Innovation

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Fuld and Lehmans – 1 year on

Colin Henderson

It was 1 year ago Sept 15th when Lehman Brothers did the previously unthinkable, and dissolved in inglorious bankruptcy. This Reuters piece catches up with Dick Fuld who commutes from his mansion in the Rockies to Manhattan 3 or 4 times weekly for expensive lunches and some consulting work. With the combined $310 million package and sale of Manhattan spot for $25 million he is managing. The observation of ex Lehmans emoloyee is illustrative of his approach though. Google Earth Fuld says being “dumped on” for Lehman failure | Reuters Lawrence McCarthy, who was head of distressed bond trading at … Continue reading Fuld and Lehmans – 1 year on

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G20 Finance Minister regulation changes will constrain new investment and require a strategy rethink

Colin Henderson

The G20 Finance Ministers meeting in London concluded some new principles for Bank supervision, that follows the predictable path we have been seeing. Here is a summary from BIS, and some additional analysis from Financial Times. The key points that will drive banks to seek additional efficiences to compensate, are raised capital and liquidity requirements. Another key one is #4, the countercyclical buffer; in other words during good times put money away for a rainy day. These changes in particular will constrain new investment in lending and in anything that does not drive higher profits. In any event this will … Continue reading G20 Finance Minister regulation changes will constrain new investment and require a strategy rethink

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ATM Fraud Review | European security agency

Colin Henderson

Here is a clear review of the current state of ATM fraud in Europe. It summarises the methods in some detail (refer below) as well as the overview of chip cards impact on fraud, and those countries that are not fully EMV compliant yet. EU agency ‘alarmed’ by rise in cash machine fraud | Finextra In April 2009, a 33-year-old Microsoft employee, who lives in New York City, stopped in the closest Chase bank to get some cash to pay his barber. When he inserted his ATM card in the machine, he noticed a bit of resistance. The screen said … Continue reading ATM Fraud Review | European security agency