Business Models, Japan

Implications for banks and the degree of restructure required

Colin Henderson

Japan continues to lead in terms of making changes to accommodate the current economic climate.  While the English story here is March, the other is dated today. This is significant for the West in terms of understanding this economic situation is not going to be cured overnight, and when we speak of recovery, its important to consider what recovery means, and how long it might be before we get to return to anything like the economic levels of 2007. Toyota Cuts Exec Pay, Eliminates Bonuses AP) Toyota Motor Corp. is reacting to the slump in U.S. auto sales by further … Continue reading Implications for banks and the degree of restructure required

AI

Virgin plans internet bank in UK

Colin Henderson

Things are beginning to happen. Branson plans launch of Virgin internet bank | Observer [hat tip Finextra] Richard Branson is to launch an internet bank in a move designed to exploit public disgust with Britain’s big banks in the wake of the credit crunch. Branson follows Tesco, which is also planning to capitalise on disenchantment with traditional banking via a big push into financial services. Continue reading Virgin plans internet bank in UK

Japan

Lyxor plans 15 new ETF funds in Japan oferred online only

Colin Henderson

In keeping with watching for new and innovative shifts in banking, Societe Generale subsidiary Lyxor plans a big push with new ETF’s in the Japan market.  These are being offerred online only. Lyxor (Societe Generale) plans big push of global products in Japan | FT Rakuten Lyxor Asset Management is planning to expand its exchange traded product range in Japan and the rest of Asia as investors in the region gradually gain more knowledge about the funds. The subsidiary of Société Générale will introduce 15 new ETFs into Japan this year, and market them through online brokerages, Lyxor says. That … Continue reading Lyxor plans 15 new ETF funds in Japan oferred online only

Uncategorized

Blank will step down from Lloyds | FT

Colin Henderson

in what will likely be only the first of many ,Lloyds Chairman announces plans to step down prior to next Annual Meeting in 2010.  The larger issue here is the dual influence from markets, chastising Blank for the HBOS takeover, and government influences. Both in UK and US, the influence of government is significant within large Banks, and as discussed earlier, the arrival of the political dimension is inevitable. Blank will step down from Lloyds | FT LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) – Victor Blank is to step down as chairman of Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) before next year’s annual shareholder … Continue reading Blank will step down from Lloyds | FT

Uncategorized

As predicted the consequence of government ownership is significant

Colin Henderson

A US regulator on Friday predicted that chief executives and directors of some of the banks that underwent the stress tests could lose their jobs, Regulator expects bank chiefs to lose jobs | FT By Francesco Guerrera and Nicole Bullock in New York Published: May 16 2009 00:10 | Last updated: May 16 2009 A US regulator on Friday predicted that chief executives and directors of some of the banks that underwent the stress tests could lose their jobs, in another sign of the government’s desire to have a say in the running of bailed-out companies. Sheila Bair, chairman of … Continue reading As predicted the consequence of government ownership is significant

Innovation

New bank based on three principles | ally from GMAC

Colin Henderson

Interesting to see some new and potentially innovative banking news come out finally.  Here is a new offerring from GMAC that is essentially a direct bank with a nice simple value proposition.  The offerring is deposit based. Oddly enough, when I went to ingdirect to compare rates, I could not even locate the rates on a site that has become very complex somehow. Ally Bank may have a winner in focussing on their three principles that will resonate with most consumers, and it is backed by the reputation of GMAC. allybank.com “The brand is founded on three principles: Talking straight, … Continue reading New bank based on three principles | ally from GMAC

Uncategorized9 Comments

Reset time

Colin Henderson

Its obvious we all have the  “too much information but its all good stuff” problem. It has been driving me crazy and I have tried: lables and categories in my RSS reader (Google Reader) watching other sources such as twitter, friendfeed, newsgator, feeddemon integration tools within gmail using greasemonkey scripts adding to Google Reader so that I would use the built in search (never happened) others too many to mention Bottom line.  If your target is to source and mine information incremental improvements fail, at least for me.  Adding to existing sources just adds to the problem of more data … Continue reading Reset time

Microsoft

Common document formats are coming

Colin Henderson

There is an interesting theme developing around the concept of documents and formats. Since I left traditional banking, I have been consistently using OpenOffice.  Its not a purist or ‘software’ religion thing .. rather I shifted to Linux immediately because its a better, faster, smoother operating system, and OpenOffice is the best office suite for Linux.  The fact OpenOffice has not improved in 2 1/2 years is just a source of frustration.  I use MS Office and XP in a VM, when I have to interact with the rest of the world. Anyhow, I digress.  Scribd has been distilling any … Continue reading Common document formats are coming