For those who are interested, here's my latest presentation from a recent visit to Germany ... you can skip the first minute as the presentation is being loaded ... Here's the Prezi that goes with it for those who like to see slides at the same time as watching the vid ...  

I almost missed this last week at SIBOS, but Bob Lyddon has kindly allowed me to post all details here with attribution to the SIBOS Daily News for the text below ... The euro zone crisis threatens to derail the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), according to a new research paper. Challenging those who separate the crisis from SEPA preparations, The Eurozone, the ECB and the feasibility of SEPA: an overview, says the Sepa policy objectives were based on certain assumptions about how the...

Things we're reading today include ... Santander's warning shows just how fragile the UK banking sector isThe Telegraph BofA to charge for debit card use Financial Times World's First Everyday Cardless BankPayments News NBNK confirms Lloyds branches bidBBC   Greek default now 'unavoidable'BBC Merkel breathes easily – for now – as MPs vote through EU bailout fundThe Independent Markets give lukewarm welcome to German 'yes' vote on bailoutThe Independent...

Email received 08:47, 29/09/2011: Dear Mr. Skinner I have to say that your blog reflects the UK: a nation of bloody whingers. This was well demonstrated by the release of the FSA’s figures this week that shows all your citizens do is complain. In fact, I wholly expect you to post the headline today that says something like: “Banks are awful, says the FSA”. No doubt this is because you have seen the  Financial Services Authority (FSA) figures for customer complaints between...

Things we're reading today include ... EU Proposes Financial-Transactions Tax for 2014Business Week EC backs financial transaction taxThe Independent EU financial tax would be a disaster for the CityThe Telegraph UK 'will resist' EU financial taxBBC   Barclays loses head of European retail bankingFinancial Times Bank bonus and dividends warningBBC Lloyds gives rivals time to counter NBNK's bid for branchesThe Independent NBNK bids £1.5bn for Lloyds branches despite cost...

It's always interesting to compare and contrast financial markets and issues, and this was easily illustrated yesterday when I received a nudge of two videos. The first is from the UK and talks about debt; the second if from the Philippines and talks about using mobile payments to get food. The UK thinks it's impoverished ... think again. Worth watching both if you're interested in how financial markets have created extremes: on the one hand debt that can cripple a nation, whilst...

Things we're reading today include ... BofA was 'let off lightly' over sub-prime fiascoThe Independent Trader was not a hoaxer, says BBCBBC Markets shrug off mixed signals as hopes of euro rescue deal spark rallyThe Independent FSA says no to calls for it to pre-approve productsThe Independent LSE/LCH.Clearnet: waiting at the churchFinancial Times BBC financial expert Alessio Rastani: 'I'm an attention seeker not a trader'The Telegraph Rolet aims to land knock-out...

I was sent a list from the American Banker this week, who have just published their annual list of the most powerful women in banking. Number 1 is Karen Peetz, Vice Chairman of BNY Mellon Generates roughly half of BNY Mellon's pretax income Manages a third of its 52,000 employees in 115 cities around the globe Is the first female vice chairman in the company's 227-year history Started, and still leads, the bank's wildly successful women's network. In second place is Carrie...

Things we're reading today include ... Eurozone members look at 'big bang' plan to overcome debt crisisThe Independent Banks Splinter on Europe Crisis Amid TensionBusiness Week VIDEO: How will the eurozone rescue plan work?BBC   UBS in 'Disarray' as CEO Gruebel ReplacedBusiness Week UBS urged to use a much sharper axeFinancial Times   EU looking at banks' online payments organisationThe Independent   Deloitte sued for $7.6bn in USBBC...

So I finish my time in Toronto with a little relaxation and sight seeing. Won’t bore you with all the details … … but one of the most interesting places to visit is a place called Casa Loma, the House on the Hill. I went there because I love the X-Men movies, and this was the location used to film the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning  … ... so why post all this touristic stuff on the blog? Because the story of the owner of the estate is fascinating and demonstrates the nature...