Open Source Banking, Social Lending, Social networks1 Comment

Economy provides opportunity to differentiate between traditional lending and social lending

Colin Henderson

There is a general sentiment that a consumer credit crunch is coming to North America, in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage debacle. This from Gallup explores the old causes of a crunch arising from a dramatic drop in liquidity, and points out despite a worldwide glut in liquidity, the potential exists for a credit crunch now. Looks Like an Old-Fashioned Consumer Credit Crunch What causes a credit crunch? In today’s financial markets, many lenders make loans but do not hold them in their portfolios. Instead, they sell them to investors in the form of securitized investments. What appears to … Continue reading Economy provides opportunity to differentiate between traditional lending and social lending

Payments2 Comments

Online payment transaction acquiring heats up …

Colin Henderson

This from Chris on Finextra, notes the growing competition in online payments.  We have become accustomed to seeing Paypal at online checkouts.  But competition is here not just from Google, but Amazon, Banking consortia, and others. Chris notes this announcement from Amazon. First PayPal, then Google, now Amazon and the Banks “You can use the extensive feature set of Amazon FPS to conduct a wide variety of transactions under virtually any set of constraints. Key features include: Send and receive money using credit card, bank account or Amazon Payments balance transfer as payment methods …. Technorati Tags: payments, transaction+acquiring Continue reading Online payment transaction acquiring heats up …

AI4 Comments

Wesabe release simple tool that works for any Bank or CU

Colin Henderson

Wesabe have released a tool that works in Firefox browser to update your Wesabe information.  Wheaties for Your Wallet » Blog Archive » The Wesabe Firefox Uploader “We’ve just launched a great new feature to make uploading your data to Wesabe a ton easier — but not just that. Along the way we’ve improved just about every aspect of getting your accounts into Wesabe. This marks the first release of the Wesabe Firefox Uploader …..   “ The key advantage is that Wesabe works for any Bank or Credit Union now, when you use this tool.  It also runs on any … Continue reading Wesabe release simple tool that works for any Bank or CU

Social networks1 Comment

Beyond social networks | whats the near term destination?

Colin Henderson

This diagram is terrific in its simplicity. I have tried this a few different ways, but I will stick with this example for a while I think. It describes the next generation internet, and its useful in times of turbulence such as we are experiencing, to note where the likes of FaceBook fit [lower right]. Lower right is getting all the current attention, but its just one, relatively simple stepping stone. Thanks to http://tuscher-petersblogg.blogspot.com/2007/05/metaweb.html Relevance to Bankwatch: Watch for Google, Yahoo, and another(s) yet to be determined, to pull us into the upper right. The key unknown is actually the … Continue reading Beyond social networks | whats the near term destination?

Business Models3 Comments

“Understanding the Decline and Demise of the Banking Industry”

Colin Henderson

This term paper is written by Tessa Johnson, dated July 20th, 2027.  [Ed note:  2027 is now the official date for the future] GonzoBanker – Article This term paper outlines a historical review of the banking industry and examines the underlying causes behind the turbulent past 20 years that led up to the Financial and Wealth Services Industry Act of 2024. This act has essentially eliminated “banking” as a distinct industry in the United States. Looking back at banking 20 years ago, it is clear that this industry became entrapped in “legacy” issues that resulted in slow action, poor risk … Continue reading “Understanding the Decline and Demise of the Banking Industry”

Web/Tech1 Comment

New book [Hardy,Carneiro, Catlin] | “Beginning Rails”

Colin Henderson

For the past few months I have been fortunate enough to work with Jeffrey Hardy, and today marks a big achievement for him, with the release of his book on Ruby on Rails. I am not the developer so leave it to the eloquent Pete Forde to provide the introduction. All I will say is that I have complete confidence in Jeff to understand the business requirements, learn the business rules (accounting, mathematics, auctioning etc) then apply them effectively using Ruby on Rails quickly, and with seeming simplicity. Credit also to technical review, and content provider Hampton Caitlin. Beginning Rails … Continue reading New book [Hardy,Carneiro, Catlin] | “Beginning Rails”

AI1 Comment

Genderation gaps | the enjoyability factor

Colin Henderson

Bruce at Forrester, offers up a generational and gender difference to consider in offers. The “Enjoyability” Genderation Gap « Customer Experience Matters Male Gen Xers want a lot more enjoyment. When it comes to every category of business except airlines, Gen X males were at or near the top in their willingness to switch providers for a more enjoyable experience. Seniors aren’t looking for more enjoyment. Female Seniors was one of the groups least likely to leave its current provider for a better experience – except when it came to the group’s dealings with general department stores. Male Seniors felt … Continue reading Genderation gaps | the enjoyability factor

EU

China could buy stake in Barclays | BBC

Colin Henderson

Interesting twist in the ongoing Barclays/ ABN/ RBS saga.  This twist has a distinctly global perspective. BBC NEWS | Business | China could buy stake in Barclays Barclays is close to raising around £10bn from the Chinese and Singaporean governments to help finance its takeover of the Dutch bank giant, ABN. If it succeeds and if Barclays acquires ABN, the Chinese state would emerge with a shareholding of around 7% in the enlarged group. Technorati Tags: Barclays, China, Singapore Continue reading China could buy stake in Barclays | BBC

Social networks

Jeremiah Owyang | “All your widgets are belong to Facebook”

Colin Henderson

With all the FaceBook hype, I enjoy contrarian views.  For my earlier posts on this theme, read here – (the Bebo post), here – (the web app post), and here (the AOL post). Web Strategy by Jeremiah » All your widgets are belong to Facebook 1) For example, my non-Facebook friends can’t see what I’m doing, and I’m a public guy. If I link to Facebook, you have to register and sign up, brilliant web acquisition for Facebook. 2) But after I’ve setup my profile, and I would like it to be an open platform, I should have the ability … Continue reading Jeremiah Owyang | “All your widgets are belong to Facebook”