G30 calls for reform of IMF October 5, 2009 The G30, a group of prominent bankers, policymakers and economists, called for sweeping reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), warning that the impetus for change would wane as pain from the financial crisis fades. In a report released on the sidelines of the semi-annual IMF and World Bank meetings, the G30 said nations should [...]
Ernst &Young in Akai payout September 23, 2009 ERNST & Young (E&Y) was forced to make a “substantial” payout to the liquidator of failed consumer electronics firm Akai Holdings yesterday, after being accused of falsifying documents in a long running court battle. The Big Four accountancy firm has made a settlement to Hong Kong liquidator Borrelli Walsh after it admitted documents it used [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS September 22, 2009 Securities and Investment InstituteThe SII has appointed John Nichols, a former ambassador to Switzerland, as its new director of global business development. Nichols, 57, has spent 30 years in the Foreign Office, holding senior positions in the UK, Brazil and Bangladesh and as ambassador to Switzerland, Hungary and Liechtenstein. He was also previously deputy chief [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING August 11, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES DEUTSCHE BANK BACKS €300M SAL OPPENHEIM INJECTIONDeutsche Bank has backed a €300m ($423m) injection of capital for Sal Oppenheim as the two banks continue their talks over a possible equity shareholding. Sal Oppenheim, a 220-year-old institution that claims to be Europe’s largest biggest independent private bank, said the equity injection was made by [...]
ABI joins FSA Osborne row August 5, 2009 TORY shadow chancellor George Osborne is facing mounting opposition over his plans to scrap City watchdog the Financial Services Authority (FSA), with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) now lobbying against the move. The ABI believes the FSA has shown it can adapt to a new era of regulation, and disagrees with Osborne’s plans to [...]
Music maestros are on song about credit crunch July 26, 2009 Few market watchers saw this crisis coming and lots of guests we speak to at CNBC ask why we should take advice from so–called experts who didn’t predict the downturn. So why not turn elsewhere? Earlier this month, Morgan Stanley published a report on the media industry by a 15 year-old work experience boy. In [...]
MYNERS: BANK BOFFINS CAN’T REPLACE THE FSA July 22, 2009 CITY minister Lord Myners yesterday launched a scathing attack on Tory plans to transfer huge regulatory powers to the Bank of England, claiming the central bank neither wants nor has the right skills for the job. “They have misjudged the competence and culture of the Bank of England. The Bank is a very academic institution. [...]
Walker plans bonus delays July 16, 2009 BANKERS would have half of their bonuses withheld by employers for up to five years, under proposals designed to end City “short-termism.” The new plans came from former Morgan Stanley chairman Sir David Walker yesterday in a review of banking in the wake of the global downturn. Walker’s review of banks’ pay comes after some [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 12, 2009 THE SUNDAYSThe Sunday TelegraphFOCUS DIY CHAIN FACES TOUGH CREDIT REVIEWA review of Focus DIY’s financial position will be delivered by Ernst & Young (E&Y) to the group’s lenders this Friday to help them to decide whether to continue backing the DIY retailer. Although the lenders, GMAC and HBOS, have agreed in principle to renew a [...]
EVOLUTION NOT REVOLUTION July 8, 2009 CHANCELLOR Alistair Darling yesterday unveiled a white paper on financial regulation that will reform the way banks operate while retaining all the major aspects of the global financial system. Darling’s proposals, while costly and onerous to the City, will mean that giant global financial institutions are here to stay, most activities will continue to be [...]