The Finanser’s Week: 3rd August – 9th August 2015

Our main stories this week include ...

A new debate: should Germany leave the Eurozone?

I haven’t blogged much about Europe or other things other than Fintech lately.  I guess because Fintech is taking up so much of my time and discussions, but the Greek crisis has not gone unnoticed in the news headlines or in my thoughts.

The three reasons banks fail to embrace digital effectively

I’ve been presenting the theme around what banks have to do to become digital for a while now, and obviously have blogged and written loads about it, and yet something still niggles in the back of my head.  I guess it’s that I’ve written some of the things down, but not all, and the thing that I haven’t blogged in clarity form yet is what stops banks being digital.

Fintech innovation in Singapore: a hive of activity

I just attended a digital bank bootcamp in Singapore.  One particularly good moment was when Markus Gnirck, Global COO of Startupbootcamp Fintech, talked about the Singaporean Fintech startups.  Here’s a very short overview of the five that were showcased.

Can I borrow your phone? How mobile is changing the game

I recently had one of those moments when you realise how the world has changed fundamentally.  This one occurred at the train station.  As I arrived, a young man was looking helpless.  He turned to me and said: “my phone’s battery has run out of juice and I need to call my mum. Can I borrow your phone?”

 

This week’s major news headlines include …

Barclays chairman John McFarlane bans flip-flops and jeans at head office - The Telegraph
Barclaycard's staff were allowed to be scruffier than their banking colleagues - but they now have to smarten up when they visit head office

Standard Charter faces calls to quit 'carbon bomb' mine - The Independent
Greenpeace has renewed its demand that the emerging markets bank Standard Chartered walks away from what has become known as Australia’s “carbon bomb” as a rival lender severed its ties with the controversial project.

High street banks 'making millions' by confusing customers out of switching current accounts - The Independent
Comparing current accounts to find the best value is now almost impossible, meaning banks are boosting their profits by millions of pounds through consumer confusion.

Are we ready to forgive the bankers? - BBC
Are we about to forgive the bankers?

HSBC promotes rising star Antonio Simoes to Europe chief - The Telegraph
Rising star Antonio Simoes could be a successor to group chief Stuart Gulliver

Challenger banks raid rival lenders for top staff - The Telegraph
Metro Bank has hired executives from RBS and Lloyds, and Unity Trust's new chief comes from HSBC

How will HSBC’s Stuart Gulliver fare in the land of the banking giants? - The Independent
HSBC’s chief executive Stuart Gulliver might have been speaking to reporters on a conference call when he said: “We are a big business. You would be hard pushed to describe us as regional.” You could all but see his lip curling as he said it: Us? Regional?

HSBC could still leave UK despite bank levy tax changes - The Telegraph
High taxes pushed the bank to consider moving its HQ to Asia, and George Osborne's move to cut the costs may not be enough to persuade HSBC to stay

We have given the keys of the global banking business to the Americans, says John Hourican - The Telegraph
As he steps down from his latest financial rescue act, the premier troubleshooter ponders his next move

Barclays and UK say goodbye to big time - Financial Times
Shrink and swim strategy leaves the City without a global investment bank, writes Philip Augar

 

If you like the Finanser,  check out our latest book: Digital Bank

 

The Financial Services Club is sponsored by:

 

For details of sponsorship email us.