tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65950533075528632132024-09-14T05:44:56.298+08:00Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-14403148365066193252013-01-24T00:18:00.000+08:002013-01-24T00:18:43.636+08:00

The turbulent stock markets and unprecedented regulatory changes are squeezing the profit margins of wealth managers as a result of making higher regulatory investments in processes and technology while at the same time, clients prefer to hold cash/deposits and avoid sophisticated structured products. In Singapore especially, some of the wealth managers are either scaling down their operations

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-70307539205086351702012-10-11T17:53:00.000+08:002012-10-11T17:53:54.297+08:00

In a recent circular (Selling of Investment Products to Private Banking Customer, 12 June 2012) to the chief executives of financial institutions in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) clarified some of the issues raised by the Hong Kong private banking community about the "compliance and regulatory" requirements related to the selling of investment products to high net worth

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-15898378190969821912012-10-01T22:07:00.002+08:002012-10-01T22:07:42.311+08:00

It has been widely reported that Credit Suisse is moving part of its back-office operations from Singapore to cheaper locations like India and Poland. Job cuts are very much a reality of globalisation and economic cycles. Given this, career planning in financial services has never been more important. Having been in the financial industry for over a decade, I have experienced crises like

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-69374742826557087612012-08-31T18:45:00.002+08:002012-08-31T18:45:23.361+08:00

Lately, Asia has been witnessing a rising number of family offices and External Asset Managers (EAM) setting up their businesses here. Private banks here have been quick to setup EAM desks and family offices to address the challenges from these new market entries. While these actions are to a certain extent a stop-gap strategies to address the threats from these competitors, there is a need to

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-16862921631805703352012-08-03T19:02:00.001+08:002012-08-03T19:02:09.799+08:00

Recently, while clearing some of my old magazines, I came across an article in Businessweek ("The Web's Walking Dead", Sep19-25, 2011 Issue) describing how some of the technology companies like Yahoo and AOL who used to be the darling of consumers and investors are now in tatters.  Other tech companies like Nokia and RIM came to my mind. While it is easy to pin the blame on poor product

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-18256022575037818592012-03-13T13:46:00.000+08:002012-03-13T13:46:35.846+08:00

There have been many numerous literature about how technology capabilities can increase the efficiency of the relationship managers and operational staff. However, few research have been focused on understanding the efficiencies of relationship managers. A relationship manager generally covers (but not limited to) the following activities - 1) Prospect management and development 2)

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-39706991668180788672012-01-31T10:21:00.000+08:002012-01-31T10:21:36.340+08:00

Recently, Singapore launches the private banking code of conduct. A set of guidelines put up by the Association of Banks in Singapore. The code of conduct seek to define a set of standard best practices in competency and market conduct when serving HNWIs (High Net-Worth Individuals). Similarly, Hong Kong regulators are looking to refine the requirements for financial institutions in gathering

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-44210576384990575492012-01-26T10:55:00.002+08:002012-01-26T11:27:12.120+08:00

It's been a while since I put down my thoughts on trends on management, technology or business in my blog. My new year resolution is to share my blog to a wider group of audiences. Any suggestions from you are most welcome!As I review the past 12 months of what has happened in the technology space, one technology that struck me was the exponential rise of ANDRIOD. More and more handset and tablet

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-81416252884211430772011-04-26T09:57:00.003+08:002011-04-26T10:15:59.661+08:00

Lately, there have been a slate of negative news coming out from United States:a) Budget impasse in the Congress to reduce the budget deficitb) S&P turning negative on United States "AAA"credit ratingsc) The continuing decline of the US Dollard) The declining global economic influence of the United States of AmericaI am not an expert in United States economic or political issues. However,

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-53896962918352089982011-03-24T16:00:00.004+08:002011-04-07T10:03:17.287+08:00

It is bonus time again. By now, most of us would be either be looking to upgrade your car, looking for the next condominium or reviewing your CVs and preparing to send to the next available headhunter who calls you.For those who are dead set on moving on, don't jump the ship prematurely. It is always easy to throw in the towel and call it quits. There are couple of simple steps to assess whether

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-47261516848470795482010-04-25T10:50:00.015+08:002011-03-24T15:58:23.635+08:00

Apologise for the late posting of my reviews. Over the past few months, I have been tied down with customer engagements and I had a major surgery. Finally, I have some breather to continue my article.Like the 1997 financial crisis that happened in Asia, clients experienced sharp declines in AUM (Asset under Management).Consequently, many clients were either asked to top-up their account to meet

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-9312155027032869712010-04-24T11:25:00.005+08:002010-04-24T13:47:25.946+08:00

It's been more than 18 months since the world witnessed the financial meltdown that started in the United States. Many studies have been conducted to understand the impact on the wealth management industry and the possible lessons that can be learned. However, not many studies have been done on the impact to the wealth management industry in Asia. I shall share my views and observations how the

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-77907756633277471552007-11-19T23:13:00.000+08:002007-11-19T23:56:45.577+08:00

I was reading an old article written by 2 Accenture consultants (May 24, 2000, Jane Linder and Susan Cantrell) from the Institute of Strategic Change on "Changing Business Models: Surveying the Landscape".The article was written to highlight the following key points:1) How to define a business model2) Business models will change over time3) How to constantly evolve the business models in order to

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-335675914096385222007-10-20T22:14:00.000+08:002007-10-20T22:51:40.776+08:00

Many companies have invested much in replacing their legacy platforms or enhancing their existing platforms. However, the impetus decision to put more investments in platforms are mainly due to the following :-a) Existing system reaching its capacityb) Existing system not able to cater for new productsc) Forced vendor upgradesInstinctly, most companies will review their business processes as part

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-73257154109579724912007-10-14T10:02:00.001+08:002007-10-17T21:59:34.829+08:00

If you are working for a company with a global headquarters not in your country or region, chances are that you will face some dilemma in prioritising between global and regional strategies. Your regional CEO wants you to help drive the business performances while your functional manager sitting comfortably in HQ wants you to execute his instructions asap. One good example is rolling out a

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595053307552863213.post-28647342129334145732007-10-13T12:20:00.000+08:002007-10-13T12:53:13.558+08:00

I have been hearing from news, magazines about people blogging. Politicians do it for their own propaganda. Entrepreneurs blog to gain visibility. My friends blog to share their personal life happenings with me and I post my comments to them. What a wonderful invention!So here I am, creating a blog for myself thinking what should I do in this blog. I do not think I have so many life stories to

Bernard Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929982438197318448noreply@blogger.com0