The Finanser’s Week: 25th May 2020 – 31st May 2020

The main blog headlines are …

What happens if consumers stop consuming?

I saw an interesting article the other day: I Don’t Feel Like Buying Stuff Anymore … our economy is built on Americans of all class levels buying things. What happens when the ability — and desire — to do so goes away? It’s theme is …

What happens to customers who don’t want digital?

Living in a digital world, it’s hard to imagine being disconnected. Yet, some people are. According to a recent survey by Which? Magazine, four percent of consumers don’t have a mobile phone. Personally, I cannot imagine living without a mobile phone, but some people are …

The future of payments post-pandemic (free research report)

During this quiet period of time, it’s a good time for reflection and I was lucky enough to be commissioned to produce some research on how European FinTech influencers see the future of payments post-pandemic. I’m releasing the report today and here’s the opening summary: …

This is no Black Swan

As the coronavirus gripped Europe and America in March and April, it was clear that banks had a number of issues to deal with. Suddenly shuttering branch doors, closing head office and asking staff to stay at home, became the modus operandi for all. This …

When a FinTech CEO steps down (#Monzo)

In any business, there are different movers and shakers. Some can create momentum; some can maintain momentum; some create ideas; some kill ideas; some run the business; some change the business; and so on and so on and so on. I’m an ideas guy. I …

And the main news headlines are ….

Banks determined to lock in Covid-19 tech changes - Financial Times
Pandemic is forcing progress in a security-conscious field — but can it be maintained?

What is the link between inflation and equity returns? - Economist
Stocks are a decent inflation hedge in the long run, but over shorter horizons, there is an inverse relationship

Billionaire Icahn exits Hertz with 'significant' loss after bankruptcy filing - Reuters
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who was the largest shareholder in Hertz Global Holdings Inc, unloaded his entire stake in the rental car company at a "significant loss" days after it filed for bankruptcy protection.

Goldman delays digital wealth management push - Financial Times
Covid crisis prompts rethink on timing of launch and hiring of new advisers

Economy on track for rapid V-shaped recovery, says Bank of England chief economist - The Telegraph
The economy is on track for a short V-shaped recession following early signs that spending has jumped by more than expected, the Bank of England’s chief economist has said.

This is why we're proposing a wealth tax in Spain to help us out of this crisis | Pablo Echenique - Guardian
My country’s recovery from coronavirus should be funded by those who can afford it. A new levy could generate €10bn Pablo Echenique is a scientist and MP for Unidas Podemos Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The Covid-19 pandemic has hit Spain hard. A decade of budgetary

Companies in new investment fund must be 'made in Yorkshire' - Guardian
Mole Valley Asset Management will only include firms based in the county in its portfolio People from Yorkshire are often stereotyped as being proud of their identity and careful with money , and a “first of its kind” investment fund could be said to tick both boxes – as it

Goldman Sachs ramps up cash management plans despite coronavirus - Financial Times
US bank expected to pay up to 200 basis points more than rivals on some deposits

Central Bank Digital Currencies Need Decentralization - CoinDesk
Digital currencies hold a long-term promise to change the way nations, corporations, and people transact value. Some of them – combining both cryptocurrency benefits (disintermediation, high speed, and low cost of transactions) as well as qualities of traditional currencies (e.g. price stability and being able to act as legal tender) – challenge traditional financial systems at the core.

The Bank of England needs to think the unthinkable to rescue the economy - Guardian
Governor Andrew Bailey is signalling that extreme measures such as negative interest rates are on the table. Rightly so When the Bank of England governor says he is not ruling out a cut in the cost of borrowing to below zero, you know there is trouble ahead. Negative interest rates