Latest opinions that Paul Penrose has shared on Finextra

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Paul Penrose

Head of Research

Finextra

Member since

06 Oct 2006

Location

London

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Paul's opinions

SEB's Benche beats market downturn

SEB's Benche project fits squarely into the new model Web 2.0 world as an open community platform where trade finance professionals can participate in discussions threads and ask questions of experts and other members. The Benche gets it name from the benches used by Italian merchant bankers in the great grain markets, which became centres for hol...

14 November 2008 /payments Finance 2.0

Low-tech innovation in the ATM comfort zone

A New Zealand woman has come up with a novel low-cost solution to shoulder-surfing at ATMs. Beach Haven-based Sharon Stamper is the brains behind the yellow lines that are now a standard fixture in all Taranaki Savings Bank ATMs. The former "fulltime mother" told the Stuff Web site that the security line creates a "comfort or securi...

12 November 2008 /security /retail

The bank branch - weakest link or saving grace?

This blog recently expressed the view that, in these days of financial turmoil, banks should reposition their branch networks as a means to reinject the personal service ethos to high street banking and see off the threat from online start-ups and outsiders like supermarkets. (The bank manager versus the Web 2.0 widget) It seems I'm not alone. Se...

10 November 2008 /retail Finance 2.0

Welcome to the Truthpod

The Truthpod is an anonymous online polling booth in Australia that has been set up to find out what people really think about their bank. Respondents are invited to "just tell it like it is". So far 2535 have taken the poll and the majority are most upset about bank fees. The pod closes with a teaser message "Thanks for telling it ...

10 November 2008 /retail Finance 2.0

HSBC on the value of IT

One HSBC is a scheme that aims to move 55 core banking systems, 24 credit card systems, 41 internet banking systems, 40 desktop standards and five unique trading rooms on to one global platform by 2011. Three years in and the $1 billion project is already paying for itself. Finextra issued a progress report back in August. In an interview with Co...

07 November 2008 /retail /wholesale

Phishers lick lips as FSA spams Icesave account holders

The UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme is doing its bit to keep the phishing industry in business by sending e-mails to customers of defunct Internet bank Icesave advising them to log-on to their accounts and claim compensation. The first batch of e-mails went out Monday, and customers are already complaining that the mails are being swep...

06 November 2008 /security

It was Lehman wot won it

Gallup opinion poll data from September shows clearly the impact of the financial crisis on the wavering fortunes of presidential candidates McCain and Obama. Have a look at the chart below. Obama first drew level with McCain on 15 Sepember, the day the news broke about the bankruptcy filing by Lehman Brothers. As the crisis rumbled on, McCain fail...

05 November 2008 Whatever...

The bank manager versus the Web 2.0 widget

The economic downturn may lead to a surprise revival of interest and investment in branch banking, as consumers seek out personal advice and a shoulder to cry on in a recessionary climate. Seventy per cent of Lloyds TSB branch managers across the UK say that they have seen an increase in the number of customers coming through their doors to discuss...

04 November 2008 /retail Finance 2.0

RaboPlus offers a role model for executive blogging

Bryan Inch, the general manager of RaboPlus, the Australian Internet arm of Dutch co-operative Rabobank, has been running an executive blog for over a year. In September, he announced through the blog that he would be moving back to New Zealand and leaving the bank. He also introduced his successor, Greg McAweeny, who successfully launched RaboDir...

24 October 2008 /retail Finance 2.0

Gordon Gekko RIP?

With what appears to be impeccable timing, Hollywood is awash with reports of the imminent return of Gordon Gekko, the ultimate master of the universe, in a reprise of the 1987 blockbuster Wall Street. With a working title Money Never Sleeps, the new movie will see Gekko released from jail to confront the financial market meltdown afflicting moder...

24 October 2008 /wholesale Where are they now?