Category Archives: Conflicts
An apology over the proposed bonus cap
The proposed extension of the cap on bonuses to asset managers has exposed the true colours of MEPs in attacking bonuses: they just don’t like rich people. My latest column for Financial News I feel that an apology is in … Continue reading
Proprietary trading is dead. Long live proprietary trading?
Whatever else you might say about investment banks, please don’t mention the “p” word. Not “p” for pay, but “p” for proprietary trading. My latest column for Financial News. As the debate over the future of the “p” word rumbles … Continue reading
Full steam ahead at Goldman Sachs?
Is the decision by Goldman Sachs to increase compensation this year a) stupid b) stubbornly short-sighted or c) eminently sensible? Welcome back, Goldman Sachs. It may be too early to call a recovery just yet, but Goldman Sachs had plenty … Continue reading
History is not on Nomura’s side in Asia
For all the focus on Nomura’s cutbacks in Europe, the Asian market on its doorstep poses bigger problems for ‘Asia’s global investment bank’ At first glance, the recent outbreak of anti-Japanese demonstrations in China has little to do with investment … Continue reading
That new banking inquiry team in full…
After an ill-tempered debate in the House of Commons, a senior Treasury source has leaked its proposal for a ‘dream team’ inquiry into the standards in the banking sector that combines cross-party political representation with a few professional executioners. Andrew … Continue reading
Jamie Dimon’s testimony to US Senate Committee
Here is the full text of Jamie Dimon’s testimony to the US senate committee on banking, housing and urban affairs, ahead of what is likely to be a bruising hearing today at which he will be grilled about the $2bn … Continue reading
Time to drag the IPO market out of the Stone Age
The IPO market is broken. Here are 10 ideas to help fix it. My latest column for Financial News. Something has gone horribly wrong when a company like Facebook, which applies terrifying amounts of computer-processing power to revolutionising the way … Continue reading
Transparency and the House(s) of Morgan
Transparency is Wall Street’s version of Kryptonite. If you take away the informational advantage that investment banks have over their clients and shareholders, then you take away their already diminished ability to print money. My latest column for Financial News. … Continue reading