The Cupidity Of SWIFT

I have to say that since experiencing Sibos for the first time in Amsterdam in 2010, I have been appalled at the sheer cupidity of its parent, the Society for Worldwide Financial Telecommunication.

Some readers will know that SWIFT point blank refused complimentary entry to my wife, who is also my personal assistant and company secretary. She could come in, they said, of course, but only if she handed over hundreds of euros.

To then rub salt in the wound, they refused me access to the press room on the grounds that I was there as part of the BNP Paribas Securities Services delegation rather than as a journalist (even though I had submitted a separate request for press accreditation and the juniors manning the door recognised me at once and hailed me by name, and even though the press room was in fact full of public relations practioners rather than hacks).

I didn't think SWIFT could slip much lower in my personal estimation, but with the news that
Virtual Sibos opens online today (giving you the opportunity to experience the events and conference sessions and collaborate with exhibitors and other participants). I thought that sounded mildly interesting, until I found out that it would cost me €600 to pick over last week's cold vomit.

For those of you missing your Sibos fix, I'll pass on the news that 'noteworthy attractions include an online networking café, interactive exhibits, question and answer sessions with experts, downloadable reference material and an opportunity to look at the recording of live or past sessions (most sessions are already available, all remaining sessions will be on line later this week).

And the best news is that this excellent value is yours for only EUR 600. Register today and don't miss seeing:

• The 'in conversation with' sessions with Gordon M. Nixon, President & CEO of Royal Bank of Canada, Rick Waugh, President & CEO of ScotiaBank, and Piyush Gupta, CEO and Director of DBS Holdings and DBS Bank.
• Another 30 sessions examine issues such as Basel III and its impact on trade finance and the world economy, working capital optimization, negotiating the new derivatives landscape, e-invoicing, SEPA, mobile payments, correspondent banking at the crossroads, sanctions & AML, cloud computing, electronic bank account management, securities reference data and emerging markets....
• The fascinating world of Innotribe.
• The Standards Forum, Corporate Forum and Technology stream.

Your Virtual Sibos pass gives you access to all the main conference sessions (audio/video and slides) plus a selection of parallel sessions from the exhibition floor, including the Standards Forum and open theatres. It also lets you visit all of our official 2011 exhibitors by way of the virtual exhibition hall. View their electronic collateral, watch their video product demonstrations and most importantly, continue your Sibos discussions after the event.

To enjoy all this and more, register now for only EUR 600 at www.virtualsibos.com. Virtual Sibos will be available until the end of 2011.