Merger creates banking behemoth – Bank of New York and Mellon Bank


 A Bank merger of enormous proportions in the asset management field.  $17 trillion in assets serviced, and over 1 trillion in directly managed assets! The new company, which will be called Bank of New York Mellon Corp., will be the world’s leading asset serviced with $16.6 trillion in assets under custody and corporate trustee with $8 trillion in assets under trusteeship. It will rank among the top 10 global asset managers with more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management. Source: The Cincinnati Post – Merger creates banking behemoth Bank of New York Co. has agreed to take over Mellon … Continue reading Merger creates banking behemoth – Bank of New York and Mellon Bank

A Bubble Watcher Watches Google – New York Times


Dave Winer enjoys controversy, but I have to take issue with his recent statement about the next bubble burst, and how it will be represented by Google stock crashing.  Now the New York Times have picked up on it, quoting Dave here: Web 2.0, according to Mr. Winer, is nothing more than an aftermarket for Google. So many start-ups rely on Google – both as a basis for creating Web sites and as a channel for selling Google ads – that the entirety of Web 2.0 (the new generation of sites that rely on interactivity and open systems) will stand or … Continue reading A Bubble Watcher Watches Google – New York Times

HSBC India launches Pragati Finance – microcredit


 HSBC have launched an innovative lending program in India to encourage inclusion for those who would previously have been ineligible.  Mumbai: HSBC India has announced the launch of HSBC Pragati Finance, a new loans product aimed at a largely untapped segment of customers, localising its product offering in line with its stated position as “The World’s Local Bank”. Through this new initiative, the bank will be offering finance to a large section of consumers who have hitherto had limited access to organised lending. Source: domain-B : Indian business : finance : HSBC India launches Pragati Finance The new service is … Continue reading HSBC India launches Pragati Finance – microcredit

Stikkit Video Review


Jake at CenterNetworks does a video review of Stikkit.  Its a highly intelligent web 2.0 application, and the way it handles dates, to-do’s and tags is quite remarkable.  It takes natural typing and interprets them.  For those of you who don’t know, Stikkit is a really cool way to keep track of everything, whether it be appointments, meetings, to-do lists, or people. Stikkit does it all, it was really cool to look at, and I highly recommend this app to get you on track with your life! Source: Stikkit Video Review – CenterNetworks – News, Reviews, Insights and Interviews It … Continue reading Stikkit Video Review

Confused Of Calcutta | Great talent but not as we know it


Confused highlights an interesting book called Global Remix by Professor Richard Scase.  It aligns with the social network concept as firms adopt it.  He highlights a few paragraphs and click over there to read. Many parents have teenage and younger children who spend quite a lot of time in their bedrooms. They respond to parental commands through text messaging, e-mails and, occasionally, grunts. Parents with children of this kind should be congratulated for bringing up normal, well-adjusted youngsters. But they fear for their children’s futures. Will they ever be employable? ….. But, more than that, they will have to tolerate … Continue reading Confused Of Calcutta | Great talent but not as we know it

Open Source Banking – why Wesabe is the best example of the new breed


Wesabe continue to build on their strength, with two feature additions.  This follows the addition of Kathy Sierra to their advisory board.  I think she might have some advice on explaining the multiple tag thing πŸ™‚ But I want to lay out a view on Wesabe and how they might fit in the larger picture, because they are breaking new ground. When you create a tip, you can say what area that tip applies to, by adding the postal code for it. I use this to give tips about the auto shop I use, the grocery store that I think … Continue reading Open Source Banking – why Wesabe is the best example of the new breed

Aerial search under way for missing CNET editor | CNET News.com


This is a sad state of affairs tonight, for a CNET editor and his young family, apparently lost in the stormy west coast.  I hope they turn up safely in a snowdrift. At CNET, James Kim is a senior editor covering digital audio who also co-hosts a weekly video podcast for the Crave gadgets blog. He has been writing a book on Microsoft’s Zune MP3 player. Formerly, he was an on-air personality on the now-defunct cable television network TechTV. He and his wife own two stores in San Francisco–Doe, a clothing store in the city’s Lower Haight area, and the Church Street … Continue reading Aerial search under way for missing CNET editor | CNET News.com

Web 2.0 – SaneBull Market Monitor


 This is a very cool Ajax application.  Cool because of the way the desktop elements work together.  We have seen a few Ajaxy things that are focussed on the technology, but this one actually provides some vision of how an Ajax desktop could work for a financial site.  These guys are good. Welcome to the SaneBull technology showcase implemented by ideAjax. SaneBull is a custom implementation of an Ajax solution with a Java powered back end. For more information please refer to the Technology tab. ideAjax provides custom solutions for your business. We have a wide range of experience with … Continue reading Web 2.0 – SaneBull Market Monitor

NetBanker 2.0: The iGoBanking/CashEdge new account application needs improvement


 Here is a snapshot of the review at Financial Marketing on this new release that came out earlier this week.  Its worth clicking through and reading the whole review, especially if you are in the online banking/ site design business.  This is a classic case demonstrating lack of alignment between stakeholders. In typical style Jim highlights the fact that a company like CashEdge who have been around long enough need to know this is quite unacceptable, and will not do justice to the business requirement.  Flushing Savings Bank, should take another look at this. In fact, the application is a … Continue reading NetBanker 2.0: The iGoBanking/CashEdge new account application needs improvement

McKinsey | Interview with His Royal Highness Prince Alawleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud


This is a fascinating interview with His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud β€”or Alwaleed, as he’s known in the Middle East.  Alwaleed is a nephew of the King of Saudi Arabia. 

This interview with McKinsey is incredibly illuminating, and remarkable to the extent that we all in some way see, touch or interact with something owned by this man.  His views on Islam, the west, and current events are pragmatic, and rational. 

He first came to prominence in the West in 1991, after paying $590 million for a 14.9 percent stake in then-struggling Citicorp (now Citigroup). His investment quickly became worth billions of dollars when the US financial giant pulled itself back from the brink of bankruptcy and resumed its profitable growth. Most recently, he has attracted headlines by teaming up with Bill Gates to back a $3.7 billion management buyout of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Source: The McKinsey Quarterly: The Online Journal of McKinsey & Co.

 

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