Category Archives: Regulation

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 »

Category: Bonuses & compensation, Conflicts, Ethics, Finance, Regulation | Tags: , ,

The end of the nuclear arms race in investment banking?

For years investment banks have been locked in a multi-billion dollar arms IT arms race to build the best and the fastest systems. But a new initiative being led by Deutsche Bank suggests that many of them may have been … Continue reading »

Category: Investment banking, Regulation, Sales & Trading, Uncategorized | Tags:

The problem with investment banks – part 3: profitability

The investment banking industry has a problem. In fact it has at least three of them: a revenue problem, a cost problem, and a profitability problem. In the third of three articles to cheer you up after the summer break, … Continue reading »

Category: Bonuses & compensation, Investment banking, Regulation, Reporting & Disclosure, Sales & Trading, Uncategorized |

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 »

Category: Conflicts, Ethics, Finance, Regulation, Uncategorized |

I know nothing. I’m from Barclays…

The explanation at Barclays as to who knew what and when still doesn’t stack up – and none of the possible scenarios are very palatable (updated 16 July 2012) Nearly three weeks after US and UK regulators detonated a $450m … Continue reading »

Category: Bonuses & compensation, City, Conflicts, Ethics, Management, Regulation, Reporting & Disclosure | Tags: , , , , ,

A 10 point redemption plan for Bob Diamond

Diamond can down with Barclays, or he can go down as the banker who led the transformation of a troubled but important industry that has lost its way. Here’s how: 1. Talk to us, Bob In various statements, you have … Continue reading »

Category: Bonuses & compensation, City, Conflicts, Ethics, Regulation | Tags: , ,

Banks in the line of fire over bonuses

The latest proposals from the European Parliament to cap bankers’ bonuses at one times salary would wreak havoc at banks in Europe. Here are the banks most affected – and what they might do about it. ‘Oh Christ!’, was the … Continue reading »

Category: Bonuses & compensation, Investment banking, Regulation, Reporting & Disclosure | Tags: , , , ,

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 »

Category: Conflicts, Ethics, Finance, Investment banking, Regulation, Reporting & Disclosure, Sales & Trading | Tags: ,

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 »

Category: Conflicts, Investment banking, IPOs, Regulation | Tags: ,

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 »

Category: Conflicts, Investment banking, IPOs, Regulation, Reporting & Disclosure | Tags: ,