Category Archives: Opinion
Secured loans – Insurance and Fraud
This week I have been discussing secured lending, always considered somewhat different to world of unsecured loans (credit cards and utilities). Typically losses associated with secured loans are lower (in proportion to the assets). After-all there are always the actual … Continue reading
Corporate Sustainability
This week was the week of the corporate sustainability conference in Toronto. Hosted by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the focus was on the financial aspects of sustainability and making the business case for investment. An interesting and thought provoking … Continue reading
Canadian Indebtedness
The latest presentation at the CAGT was on the topic of Canadian Indebtedness. This of course in the week that the debt to income ratio exceeded 160%. Certainly of concern. When wrapped up with potentials for oil shocks, the fiscal … Continue reading
Global Economic Forecast
Able to attend a presentation on the outlook of the global economy via CGMA/AICPA/CIMA. Interesting that optimism over the global economy seems to have dropped over the last couple of quarters. Really seen as a crisis of confidence rather than … Continue reading
The end of your bank branch… as we know it?
Reading a couple of thought provoking articles in the Economist around retail banking. The retail branch network has always been seen as a significant cost (I remember the consolidation and branch reductions in the UK during the ’80s). However there … Continue reading
The Ying and Yang of Receivables Management
I have been having a couple of good conversations with leaders of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable departments. There are many similarities between the two. Essentially the departments are two sides of the same coin. Lots of synergies in thinking … Continue reading
Successful group conversations in LinkedIn
I have been following some of the discussions on LinkedIn groups recently. There is a lot of chatter and self promotion, however some discussions do really seem to capture the imagination of the audience. One of the best I have … Continue reading
Economic consensus building?
Out at a collection industry event recently. Interesting discussion and re the potential for a new downturn. Superficially the economy appears robust in many areas (….where is the recession) however the consensus is that the consumer is stretched in some … Continue reading
Impact of social media on business processes
I attended another interesting presentation on social media. Using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Of them all LinkedIn is the easiest to understand. It is essentially replacing your Rolodex (what is this btw…!), business cards, (and paper resumes). It is a … Continue reading
Risk Operations Strategy discussion on LinkedIn
I have now created a new LinkedIn group specifically for Risk Operations Strategy. There are a few other good and active groups out there (of which Canadian Credit and Collections is one I seem to repeatedly visit), however most deal … Continue reading
