Chris Skinner's blog

Shaping the future of finance

Humour

Economic models explained, including the credit crisis

There's a really old joke about cows that explained different economic models. You probably have seen it, but just in case: SOCIALISM You have two cows.

You give one to your neighbour.

 

COMMUNISM

 You have two cows.

The State takes both and gives you some milk.

 

FASCISM
You have two cows.

The State takes both and sells you some…

Interest-free mortgages and savings

A range of related news hits the desk today, from the likelihood that banks will be offering interest-free mortgages, as interest rates hit zero, to the opposite end of the scale where savers will be paying their bank to look after their money in the future. Savers paying to have their money held by a…

Joke002

Interest-free mortgages and savings

A range of related news hits the desk today, from the likelihood that banks will be offering interest-free mortgages, as interest rates hit zero, to the opposite end of the scale where savers will be paying their bank to look after their money in the future. Savers paying to have their money held by a…

Joke002

Interest-free mortgages and savings

A range of related news hits the desk today, from the likelihood that banks will be offering interest-free mortgages, as interest rates hit zero, to the opposite end of the scale where savers will be paying their bank to look after their money in the future. Savers paying to have their money held by a…

Joke002

New Year, Same Old

Well, you think the New Year will change things, but the news headlines are continuing with the same themes: jobless going up, inflation going down, interest rates going down and down, and Bernie Madoff going down for a very long time.  A few headlines did catch my eye this morning though, apart from the FSA's…

The dumbest banking moments of 2008

Two or three great lists were published over the holidays, such as the Top 11 CEO Firings of 2008 from Forbes magazine.  Strangely enough, 7 of the top 11 were bankers and financiers: Richard Fuld, Lehman Brothers; Martin Sullivan, AIG; Kerry Killinger, Washington Mutual; Ken Thompson, Wachovia; Richard Syron, Freddie Mac; Daniel Mudd, Fannie Mae;…

The dumbest banking moments of 2008

Two or three great lists were published over the holidays, such as the Top 11 CEO Firings of 2008 from Forbes magazine.  Strangely enough, 7 of the top 11 were bankers and financiers: Richard Fuld, Lehman Brothers; Martin Sullivan, AIG; Kerry Killinger, Washington Mutual; Ken Thompson, Wachovia; Richard Syron, Freddie Mac; Daniel Mudd, Fannie Mae;…

The dumbest banking moments of 2008

Two or three great lists were published over the holidays, such as the Top 11 CEO Firings of 2008 from Forbes magazine.  Strangely enough, 7 of the top 11 were bankers and financiers: Richard Fuld, Lehman Brothers; Martin Sullivan, AIG; Kerry Killinger, Washington Mutual; Ken Thompson, Wachovia; Richard Syron, Freddie Mac; Daniel Mudd, Fannie Mae;…

The end of the keyboard

Nothing to do with banking, except that banks run on technology and one key piece of technology is about to die: the keyboard. I've predicted the end of the keyboard for years, as it's not intuitive or natural to type.  We just do it because we've learned it is the only way to use today's…

Dear Janet, I’m so ashamed of my brother …

I noticed this letter sent to an Agony Aunt over the weekend: "Dear Janet, I have a new girlfriend who I am totally in love with, but I am terrified about telling her about my family.  You see, my father is a convicted rapist.  That's bad I know, but then my mother has been working…

Chris Skinner Keynote, April 2025, Europe

Intelligent Money: Our Future Is Where We Do Not Think About Money, As Our Money Thinks For Us

What is the future?

Learn more

Learn more about Chris

About Chris Skinner

The Past, Present And Future Of Banking, Finance And Technology

Fintech expert Chris Skinner: countries need digital transformation to remain competitive

Join me on Linkedin

Follow Me on X!

Hire Chris Skinner for dinners, workshops and more

Learn directly from from one of the most influential people in technology, gain insights from the world's most innovative companies, and build a global network.

Chris’s latest book

Order now

Chris Skinner’s ‘Intelligent Money’ Book Launch Event

Lifetime Achievement Award

Kids creating the future bank | TEDxAthens

Alex at the Financial Services

Gaping Void's Hugh MacLeod worked with the Finanser