Chin Chin, a Toast and a Gem

Richard Barr, is a Director of Citadel Advantage Ltd. His official duties take him all over the world and this provides him a unique opportunity to pursue his other passion - whisky.

Richard was in Hong Kong a while back and a visit to the Chin Chin Bar prompted a Blog post which you can read HERE.

Richard Barr is a member of the Whisky Israel tasting society, a blog correspondent at times, and a good whisky friend.

Post-'fiscal cliff,' four themes to shape markets in the new year

Four big economic and market stories of 2012 are likely to remain dominant themes of the new year. <<READ MORE>>

Credit Suisse to launch new staff bonus scheme

“Credit Suisse is set to make significant changes to the way in which it pays out bonuses for 2012, it has emerged. The major Swiss bank is looking to award a greater volume of risk-sensitive assets to members of staff for their efforts last year as it seeks to comply with the wishes of both regulators and shareholders by granting lower proportions of cash in its bonuses, Reuters reports.” READ MORE.

2013 unlikely to be UK's year of the mobile wallet

“Smartphone penetration in the UK may be 60% and rising but 2013 is unlikely to be the year of the mobile wallet, according to ICM Research.

A survey of 2015 Brits shows that a third would definitely or probably use their mobile as a wallet to make payments, collect vouchers, to use as event tickets and on public transport.” READ MORE.

A Banking Lesson Out of Africa

"A World Economic Forum report on the mobile financial services ecosystem across 20 countries observed that 'a distinct lack of alternatives, more than supportive institutional or market environments, has been the primary driver of initial adoption.'

And Africa stands testimony to that observation. An estimated 80 percent of adults in Africa still remain unbanked. But the continent accounts for 15 of the top 20 countries in the world by mobile money usage. Compared to just 3 percent in the developing world, at least 16 percent of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa have used a mobile phone for cash transactions in the past 12 months.” READ MORE.

Swiss bank Wegelin to close after US tax evasion fine

“Switzerland's oldest bank is to close permanently after pleading guilty in a New York court to helping Americans evade their taxes. Wegelin, which was established in 1741, has also agreed to pay $57.8m in fines to US authorities. It said that once this was completed, it "will cease to operate as a bank".” READ MORE.

What we are reading … 4th January 2013

Greeks fight back against corruption http://bbc.in/UAgAE6

CIMB Bank Launches Facebook App for Transactions http://dld.bz/bW2jG

What Are the Most Dangerous Countries for Banks? http://dld.bz/bW2jF

The Big Core Banking Story of 2012, and Resolutions for 2013 http://dld.bz/bWRAf

Security, fee fears slow mobile payments adoption in Sweden http://dld.bz/bW2hX

Will "Operational Risk" Drag Down Royal Bank of Canada in 2013? http://dld.bz/bWRAe

Privacy & Security: 2013 Outlook - BankInfoSecurity http://dld.bz/bW2gv

10 Big Ideas for Banking in 2013 http://dld.bz/bWRAd

Why Do People Switch Banks? http://wp.me/pCBgf-2az

Absa Capital website security warning http://businesstech.co.za/news/banking/29091/absa-capital-website-security-warning/

The executive's guide to better listening - McKinsey Quarterly http://shar.es/hUvY1

Report: Why mobile commerce is set to explode http://dld.bz/bW2gp

The Best Money in the World http://bankinnovation.net/2012/12/the-best-money-in-the-world/

DDoS Attacks: 2013 Forecast - BankInfoSecurity http://dld.bz/bW2gm

Report: Banks could face perpetual bankruptcy http://dld.bz/bW2gg

2013: The Year Of The Digital Wallet: http://wp.me/pCBgf-2g0