Whatever...

A place to share stuff that isn't at all fintec related but is amusing, absurd or scary.

Retired Member 

Banking Ethics in the Information Age

Troubled times seem to create an opportunity to display ethical behaviour. The recent events in Tunisia have given the banking community a perfect opportunity to display their ethics. Some have done well. I would like to give all who do very public credit. In this age of social networking and information sharing the reputation of a bank can be shar...

20 January 2011

Retired Member 

Democracy 15 - Evil Dictator 0

Wikileaks data along with a campaign led by Tunisian students and reinforced by the cyber individuals known and being anonoymous( #anonymous) has led to the overthrow of the Tunisian Dictator. I hear it is only the beginning, more countries to follow. Update: Reports are not confirmed at this stage but I bet it gave him a scare. Interior Minister s...

12 January 2011 /regulation

Retired Member 

Australian floods make wikileaks looks like a trickle

Devastating floods in Queensland have continued to worsen and move towards the coast engulfing towns and cities in their path. Some towns located on mountain-tops experienced walls of water metres high cascading down the street suddenly without warning. Cars, and buildings were swept away in seconds. Many people are missing and a number killed. Re...

11 January 2011 /regulation

Retired Member 

One Lone Australian - Or How I Won The War

I thought that it might be time for a history lesson. As my readers know, I am forthright. Yet to be found wanting with the truth. An Australian saved Britain and the US in world war two. Without a doubt you would all be wearing different colours if not for the action of one lone Australian. The brave and no doubt mighty US Marine Corps would have ...

10 January 2011 /regulation

Retired Member 

Former Goldman Programmer Convicted

Apparently 'a gentleman' at all times (FBI) the fellow has been found guilty of theft of trade secrets and transportation of stolen property. After a two week trial into IP involving a millionth of a second in trading and a short jury deliberation he was found guilty and awaits sentencing. See the original story.

13 December 2010 /security

Retired Member 

Can the Financial System Withstand Cyber Attack?

I report what I predict and what I observe. Risk managers should consider the risk of widespread adoption of sentiments in line with this post to an infosec site. Who would have predicted this? Will revelations about the financial industry about to be wikileaked add fuel to the fire? The kids are apparently not the only ones with ideas. I would as...

13 December 2010 /regulation

Retired Member 

Mistakes made in wikileaks case

If anyone thinks that the newspapers of the world aren't going to print embarrassing secrets and that disgruntled observers of dishonourable behaviour won't be compelled to reveal it then stop reading now. The danger that is greater is that the US and US financial institutions will reveal their lack of cyber defenses over a horse that has bolted.

12 December 2010

Retired Member 

World Leaders vs Wikileaks Scoreboard

It seems an appropriate time to start a scoreboard, seeing as every other conflict gets one. I was thinking Presidents, Ex-presidents, Bank Presidents, Prime Ministers and perhaps Senators would be sufficient for one side of the field and perhaps wikileakers on the other. Should we count loss of position or only actual imprisonment? Perhaps a try f...

10 December 2010

Retired Member 

Wikileaks Surprises To Get Bigger and the Net Hotter

We thought we had seen it all, torture, murder, renting (I assume unwillling) 8-15 yr old boys to Afghan policemen, but no there's more. Australian Senator secretly 'briefing' US agents on the inner workings of Australian government and now the British Civil service taking their orders directly from Washington. Could it get any worse. I'd say just...

09 December 2010

Bo Harald Chairman/Founding member, board member at Transmeri, Demos, Real Time Economy Program,MyData

Blame it on the banks 2

Translating part of a Facebook note by Liisa Jaakonsaari (MEP - Finnish Social Democrat): "The crisis in Europe is not because of EU or the Euro. Rather it can be said that EU and the euro are innocent victims. Bad guys are unregulated and irresponsible financial markets. Blaming the banks is becoming a rather worn issue and does not always hi...

08 December 2010 /retail /wholesale