In case you haven’t noticed, you’re not going to court popularity by pursuing a career in the financial industry these days. Politicians of all stripes are repeating the catch phrase…
A Modest Proposal
Banking on the Post Office
You may be aware that a number of countries have postal savings banks. That is, their governments offer savings accounts, with post offices functioning as bank branches. It’s a way…
A View From Down Under
In a recent essay in The Wall Street Journal, an Australian columnist named Janet Albrechtsen points out key differences between mortgage lending in her country and in the U.S. Not…
Credit, Credibility and Credulousness
As you might have guessed, the word “credit” comes from the same Latin root as a variety of other English words, such as “credibility,” “credence,” “creed” and even “credo,” which…
Partners With The Feds
The latest act in the financial rescue drama has unfolded. After discussions with their European counterparts, U.S. officials have decided to recapitalize financial institutions with $250 billion of equity investments….
Uncle Sam Wants YOU
I’ve just gotten confirmation of my constant suggestions that, especially in today’s environment, you look closely at employment opportunities in government agencies. A fellow alumnus of my high school is…
Fewer Jobs, Tougher Competition
A few weeks ago, when I was interviewed by a reporter for the New York Daily News regarding the outlook for financial jobs, she asked if I had data on…
Be Proactive
The current credit crisis has accelerated the trend towards mergers and consolidation in the financial services industry, and has made aggressive measures to survive layoffs more imperative than ever. About…
Sgt. Schultz, CEO
Remember the 1960s TV show Hogan’s Heroes, a comic riff on the classic POW movie Stalag 17? It’s still in reruns. The tagline for the bumbling guard Sgt. Schulz, you…
The Lehman Hearings
Yesterday’s Congressional grilling of Lehman Brothers CEO Richard Fuld included several lines of questioning that dovetailed with things we’ve been talking about.Fuld drew criticism for the huge bonuses paid out…
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