I said that I had been chairing a conference on payments last week. The conference is the International Payments Summit, one of my annual favourites. It now has quite a wide ranging remit, from SEPA and European payments through all things electronic to mobile. With more time, I would write up every session, as there was so much to discuss but, with limited time, here’s the headlines. MOBILE. MOBILE. MOBILE. Yep, everything was about mobile payments, which has truly come of age. Mobile in...

Things we're reading today include ... Deutsche to challenge NYSE rulingBBC WaMu exits bankruptcy, on heels of LehmanReuters Vatican Bank faces fresh controversyThe Telegraph UAE investment banking undergoes shake-upFinancial Times   New record for cash machine useBBC Overdraft Fee Revenue in the U.S. Falls 4.5% to $31.6 Billion in 2011 Payments News   Banks 'set for more job losses'The Independent VIDEO: Job losses loom at UK banksBBC Banks to restructure as...

I've been having a bit of a Richard Branson overload this week. Everywhere I go and look, he's there. He's on TV, in the papers, in my specialist magazines and even at the tradeshows I go to. What's going on? He's got trains, planes, intergalactic flights and more. And yes, he's got a bank. Virgin Money recently launched its first major ad campaign since the takeover of Northern Rock. Here's the ad: "40 years of better ... now in a bank" and a promise:...

I've been having a bit of a Richard Branson overload this week. Everywhere I go and look, he's there. He's on TV, in the papers, in my specialist magazines and even at the tradeshows I go to. What's going on? He's got trains, planes, intergalactic flights and more. And yes, he's got a bank. Virgin Money recently launched its first major ad campaign since the takeover of Northern Rock. Here's the ad: "40 years of better ... now in a bank" and a promise:...

Things we're reading today include ... Co-op’s big adventure may turn sourFinancial Times NBNK chief Gary Hoffman's 'meeting' with Co-op riles investorsThe Telegraph Santander UK boss pockets £4.1m despite PPI chargeThe Independent Sachs bids to head World BankBBC Hollande calls for ECB growth mandateFinancial Times   Budget 2012: Banks must help UK avoid a recessionThe Telegraph Economists fear £45bn will be added to deficit by 2017The Independent   City's...

Our biggest stories of the week are ... Contactless payments are already past their sell-by date Spent most of this week at a payments conference. The theme was relentlessly around mobile payments, as this area of the market has truly kicked off as a major focal point for banks, telecommunications firms, retailers and merchants. There was...  Research survey: the future of the Eurozone For the last three years, we have performed a major survey focused upon the progress of the euro and the...

Spent most of this week at a payments conference. The theme was relentlessly around mobile payments, as this area of the market has truly kicked off as a major focal point for banks, telecommunications firms, retailers and merchants. There was a particularly interesting debate about contactless payments, as this is also something that is being heavily promoted by some. For example, VISA gave an interesting presentation about the London Olympics, with the whole Olympic village being contactless....

Things we're reading today include ... Goldman letter could damage Europe chief's hopes of top jobThe Independent Toxic goodbye gives Goldman an image crisisThe Independent JPMorgan chief warns staff not to "seek advantage" from Goldman PR stormThe Telegraph Goldman’s clients stand by their bankFinancial Times What would Kermit make of such muppetry?The Telegraph VIDEO: Those Quit My Job Goldman Sachs BluesBBC   RBS sale 'better for everyone'BBC Metro Bank...

I’ve just finished reading Geraint Anderson’s book, Just Business.  I’m reading it partly because Geraint’s going to be a guest at the Financial Services Club in June, when he launches his new book Payback Time, so I want to be prepped, and also because it’s a fun read reminding me in places of the humour and style of Tom Sharpe. The whole thing is a light-hearted rom-com blend of reality and fiction based upon Geraint’s own life and set around the City of London. Geraint is the...

Things we're reading today include ... Welcome to the new muppet show at Goldman SachsThe Telegraph Goldmans has the chance to change, but will probably blow it - againThe Telegraph Goldman chief Lloyd Blankfein defends bank in memo to staffThe Telegraph The ‘Vampire Squid’ spills its inkFinancial Times Goldman Sachs PR disasters: in picturesThe Telegraph   Barclays duo enjoy £20m paydayThe Telegraph EC: 'New rules no threat to Pru'BBC Solvency II 'a mess' warns...