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Dec 29, 2009

The Top Ten New Words of 2009

2009 has been a year that has seen a lot of hate, fuelled by anger towards banks that have taken taxpayer's bailouts and then paid big bonuses. It's also a year that has seen a lot of sharing, thanks to the success of Twitter and social networks like Facebook. So it's no wonder that…

Dec 23, 2009

The twelve economic days of Christmas

Pictorial representation of this year versus last year's Christmas, economically speaking (double click to enlarge): Thanks to Go Banking Rates.

Dec 22, 2009

Happy holidays from the Financial Services Club

I'm had a bunch of ecards this year, and sent a few me'self to Club members and, for a few, real cards (yes, I am that traditional!). Anyways, thought it about time to share this year's ecard for all you lovely folks who are rushing off early for the holidays.

Dec 19, 2009

Should I sell my house to a banker?

The Guardian asks readers to give advice on a dilemma each week. This week's dilemma is: "should I sell my house to the nice people or the banker?" I'm fascinated by the reader's views. Here's a selection, as well as the question in full: After several lean financial years we are selling our £330,000 family…

Dec 17, 2009

Things worth reading: 17th December 2009

Things we're reading today include … Today's must read: The Mobile Internet Report (Morgan Stanley) Presentations on key trends in technology, including a clear prediction that mobile internet is the revolution we are experiencing right now. Want to know which technology firms will win in this space? Read the report (104 page pdf). Companies…

Dec 16, 2009

WaMu and MPs expenses

In the UK, we've been talking for a while about the issues with our politician's expenses being blanked out. See: It's downright disgraceful. Hiding secret purchases including porn movies and duck houses, how are we ever to trust our leadership again? It's so refreshing to see how America does things so differently with the…

Dec 16, 2009

What do bank failures look like?

With over 130 American banks closing so far this year, have you ever wondered what all of those American bank failures looked like? Well, now you can … Visualizing Bank Failures ( 2008-2009 ) from Michael J Bommarito II on Vimeo.

Dec 15, 2009

A Brand New Bank

I've been blogging for a while about Vernon Hill's new bank. Vernon created Commerce Bank in the USA, which revolutionised retail banking there. He's now got the green light to launch Metro Bank in the UK. The aim is to launch on February 15th, which is why the flagship branch in Holborn has this wrapping:…

Dec 14, 2009

Lunch with Goldman Sachs’ Chief Economist

Each year, the Evening Standard has an auction for charity. This year it's for Kids UK, and the top City prize offer is to have lunch with Goldman Sachs' Chief Economist Jim O'Neill. What a nice picture. Relaxed, smiling, rich … must be with Goldman Sachs (those in the news today!). Sold for £1,440….

Dec 10, 2009

Gordon Brown’s entente cordiale

Much has been made today of the fact that Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy have jointly written an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. Like some new entente cordiale, this is fantastiche to see the coup de grace of global leaders working in partnership. Here are some highlights from their article: “The way global…