Brian Bollen's Blog

DON'T PANIC

Mint – Blain’s Morning Porridge

It scores over older, more pedestrian works in two important respects. First, it is cheaper; and secondly it has the words DON’T PANIC inscribed in large friendly letters on its cover..

SETL launches global engineering centre

SETL, the financial blockchain specialist, says it has opened its Global Engineering Centre in Ipswich, UK.

Income selects Eagle

From Singapore comes the news that Eagle Investment Systems LLC, a BNY Mellon company, has been selected by NTUC Income (Income) to deliver a technological transformation of its middle and back office for its Investment division.

European repo market pushes upwards

The European Repo and Collateral Council of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) has released the results of its 32nd semi-annual survey of the European repo market.

BNPPSS names Claudine Gallagher head of new region

BNP Paribas Securities Services has named Claudine Gallagher as head of its newly established Americas region.

Gavin Carruthers joins Vistra Fund Services Jersey

Corporate service provider Vistra reports the appointment of Gavin Carruthers as Director of its Jersey Fund Services business.

EquiChain hails capital markets prototype

EquiChain, a London-based financial technology company with an Asia regional office in Hong Kong, has announced its working prototype for capital markets.  

The great pigeon double cross

I'm currently reading Ben McIntyre's book Double Cross, about the part that double agents operating under the auspices of MI5 played in World War II. The section about the great double pigeon cross, in which plans were hatched for British message-carrying pigeons to inflltrate German pigeon lofts, is worth the entry fee on its own, straddling the narrow gap between ingenuity and insanity.

I strongly recommend it. Ditto Agent Zigzag and Operation Mincemeat, also by Ben McIntyre, and his current short TV series on the SAS: Rogue Soldiers.

Deutsche Bank appoints Kini

Deutsche Bank says it has appointed Mahesh Kini as head of global transaction banking, China, effective immediately. In his expanded role, Kini will be responsible for all the Bank’s transaction banking businesses based in China, namely investor services, issuer services, institutional cash management, trade finance and cash management. Kini moved to Shanghai from Singapore in September 2016 to take on the role of head of trade finance & cash management corporates (TFCMC) China.

In his new role, he will report to both Feng Gao, China Chief Country Officer, and Lisa Robins, Asia Pacific head of global transaction banking. He will continue to report to Kaushik Shaparia, head of TFCMC – Asia Pacific, in his TFCMC capacity. 

What if...Le Pen?

Mint – Blain’s Morning Porridge

After a superb weekend of too much great rugby (apart from the scores), it's back to the daily worry about what's about to move markets. Follow the macro trends or the micro news? Where are rates and policy headed and what's going to stem recent stock gains?

ESMA publishes 2017 SCWP

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its 2017 Supervisory Convergence Work Programme (SCWP), which details the activities and tasks it will carry out to promote sound, efficient and consistent supervision across the European Union.

Jungfrau Marathon 2017 details

This just came in from the organisers of the Jungfrau Marathon, the 25th running of which takes place on September 9 this year, and entry to which could represent an unusual Valentine's Day gift (I might just have mentioned previously that I took part in and completed the race in September 2012, the 20th anniversary race, and enjoyed every single moment of it; one of the highlights of my life, so far).

There IS a future for active managers

Reports of the death of active management are not just premature, they are altogether incorrect.

Shard in Ireland venture

London-based Shard Capital Partners announces the launch and first closing of the Suir Valley Venture Fund of Suir Valley Funds ICAV, described as the first Irish-focused venture capital fund in Ireland that uses a regulated fund with a fully regulated Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). 

Neptune continues liquidity expansion

Neptune Networks Ltd, the open-standard network for bond real-time AXE indications, says it has added Nomura and Jefferies to its network (an AXE is the interest that a person or trader shows in buying or selling a financial security).

CACEIS gains UK UCITS authorisation

CACEIS, the asset servicing banking group of Crédit Agricole, says its UK branch has expanded its market coverage.

Infra dig for Standard Life

SL Capital Partners, a Standard Life Investments company, announces the final close of its inaugural infrastructure fund, SL Capital Infrastructure Fund I. 

Bespoke Brexit deal for financial services challenging

A former UK Foreign Office official has warned the City's financial services sector that any carving out of a sector-based agreement as part of a post-Brexit trade deal is likely to be seen as ‘cherry-picking’ and unacceptable to the European Union's remaining member states.

Ancoa delivers to Convergex

Ancoa, a provider of contextual surveillance and insightful analytics for exchanges, regulators, and buy- and sell-side firms, reports that Convergex, an agency-focused global brokerage and trading related services provider, has deployed Ancoa’s market surveillance platform.

Quaero appoints Perez Iberian head

Specialist fund manager Quaero Capital has appointed Amancio Perez head of Iberian business development to enhance its presence in Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as in the Latin American markets.