Our biggest stories of the week are ...
In the future ... HSBC might not be a bank
Flying around all the time, you sometimes forget to absorb the ads around you. There’s one particular ad I’ve spotted for some time now, but only today got around to investigating. It’s HSBC’s latest campaign. Moving on from the world’s...
Why corporate treasurers think regulators are wrong
I’ve been getting around a bit this week. Having had long conversations with cybersecurity experts, I’ve also been having long conversations with treasurers. Many of them. And it’s been interesting, as most of them are complaining about the same thing as banks, namely regulation and the uncertainty of …
There is no such thing as identity theft
So I just had a meeting with a couple of heavyweights in the cybersecurity field. These guys are bank defenders, and very good at their jobs. Their mission: to keep cyberattacks to an acceptable level. Acceptable is a few basis…
Facebook’s IPO makes Wall Street redundant
I’ve spent my life working with banks and technology firms, trying to align technology with business strategy and vice versa. And yet it was only yesterday that I realised that these two industries are ripping each other apart. The fact...
Further to the launch of the Clearing and Settlement Working Group (CAS-WG) two months ago (read more here), we have been a little quiet as the core membership of the group determined to map out details of subject groups and...
Things worth reading, the European view (5)
The latest headline news from European press:
- Shadow banking accounts for a quarter to a third of the total financial system – European Commission, 27 April 2012
- Longer-term growth goals now top the agenda – European Commission, 26 April 2012
- Laggards must implement e-money rules – European Commission, 26 April 2012
- Ackermann disappoints as he leaves Deutsche – Managermagazin, April 2012
- Emigrate from German? No thanks – Bankmagazin, April 2012
- Growth and evolution of e-payments is promising– Economist Intelligence Unit, 27 April 2012
To access the full stories for each of the above, click here.
The major general news stories of the week include ...
Lloyds and RBS could see profits slashed as Moody's plans downgrades - The Telegraph
Britain's taxpayer-backed lenders, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, could see their profits slashed following a downgrade of their credit ratings.
Lloyds chief Antonio Horta-Osorio must keep laughing all the way to the bank - The Telegraph
The storm clouds may be gathering over the British economy, but Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, was on buoyant form on Tuesday as he made the case for a sunny outlook for Britain's largest retail bank.
Who is to blame for PPI claims influx? - BBC
Should the Lloyds boss be angry about spurious PPI claims?
Lloyds gets approach for Scottish Widows - report - The Telegraph
Bank has reportedly received a multi-billion-pound takeover approach for life assurance, pensions and savings business.
Visa reveals DoJ demand as card groups shine - Financial Times
Two of the world’s largest payment processing network reported strong quarterly profits driven by a global shift by consumers from cash to card payments
Visa Europe Confirms Launch Date for V.me Digital Wallet - Payments News
Visa Europe has announced that its new digital wallet service, V.me by Visa, will launch to an initial group of consumers in the UK, Spain and France in autumn 2012. Mariano Dima, Executive Vice President of Product and Marketing Solutions at Visa Europe, said: "V.me sits at the heart of
KPMG faces inquiry over rescue of HBOS - The Telegraph
Accountancy giant KPMG could face a formal investigation by the UK's accountancy watchdog for its conduct leading up to the rescue of HBOS by Lloyds TSB.
Recommendations for the Security of Internet Payments - Payments News
The European Central Bank has issued a set of recommendations (in PDF form) to improve the security of internet payments. These recommendations were developed by the European Forum on the Security of Retail Payments, SecuRe Pay.
Could democracy derail the euro? - The Telegraph
Like a tidal wave, the crisis that has overwhelmed southern Europe smashed into the northern core last week.
Banks face a savaging as swathe of corporate loans is written off - The Independent
A huge burst of insolvencies is set to blow a hole in bank balance sheets as write-offs on corporate loans reach their highest level since the 1990s recession, the Ernst & Young ITEM Club warned today.
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Chris M Skinner
Chris Skinner is best known as an independent commentator on the financial markets through his blog, TheFinanser.com, as author of the bestselling book Digital Bank, and Chair of the European networking forum the Financial Services Club. He has been voted one of the most influential people in banking by The Financial Brand (as well as one of the best blogs), a FinTech Titan (Next Bank), one of the Fintech Leaders you need to follow (City AM, Deluxe and Jax Finance), as well as one of the Top 40 most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal's Financial News. To learn more click here...
