#262 the new year

What shall year 2010 bring? Since the subprime and economic crunch — many lost their homes and jobs in the US and the stock markets plummet affecting the world economy– that appeared without warning in 2008 brought uncertainties and economic recession through to 2009, hoping 2010 will be better and brighter economically, politically and socially.   That which beyond my control, [...]

#250 where is customer service at ntuc finesse supermarket?

Today while shopping at the Bukit Timah NTUC Finesse supermarket, I find workers at the fresh vegetable and fruit produce rather irksome. My friend and I were trying to decide on some freshly packed salads when a worker came around to shove my friend aside. When I questioned him why was he so rude, his answer was: [...]

#248 poverty

Finally the real question is asked on poverty in some nations: why is Africa poor? A commentator, an African, candidly acknowledges that Africa is rich in resources but it is their national leaders who are corrupt and squandered the people’s wealth for their own pleasure. The leaders fill their own stomach but the people…? Should surrounding or [...]

#240 thai red-tees

Sad indeed to see and hear that the red-tees protestors (of ousted and exiled Thaksin) stormed into the venue where the Asian Summit leaders were to meet over the weekend. The leaders were evacuated and the meeting cancelled. These protestors appear to become bolder and bolder as the day passes… “The government can’t do anything,” said Lada [...]

#235 hedgefunds & derivatives

I read about hedgefunds and derivatives needing more regulations on US news. However I do recall in February of 1995, the Barings Bank founded in 1762 in Britain was bankrupted by a rogue trader who was then posted to Singapore to manage its securities arm of the bank. He speculated on some derivatives contracts that left a $1.4 [...]

#234 thot-provoking

I read this piece on blog ‘a baseline scenario’ written by Sanjiv Gupta for Huffington Post (?) dated on 10 March 2009 under the title — The Change We Need I: A Bank for America — :  …Rather, I want to use the crisis in our financial system to pose a fundamental question about our political [...]

#233 bonuses for inept executives?

Well, well, well – the management of AIG is using bailout money to give bonuses to executives who almost brought the company to brink of collapse. The rationale: if the management did not, then the company would have difficulty in hiring talented people in future! How irrational this can be? Giving bonuses to those executives who [...]

#232

This global economic and financial crises foil those who want to retire. Perhaps the recession is positive phenomenon though harsh and tough this might be. There was the anxiety that there might not be enough hands to feed the mouths of the elderly baby boomers should this generation retire from the workforce. Idling with nothing to [...]

#230 bites on global financial crisis

I found this website ‘The Baseline Scenario’ useful in understanding the global financial crisis we are experiencing. The site provides and offers some easy to read articles, interesting videos and radio and relevant websites offering insights and education: http://baselinescenario.com/financial-crisis-for-beginners/#video.

#229

A reminder: When a bank is nationalised, the shareholder loses everything.