It's Friday, already!

Following on from Michael's imaginatively entitled blog on Monday, I thought I'd be just as imaginative with my title!

But it's true, another week has almost gone - another week with lots going on.

On Monday, the FSA (on the authority of the Chancellor) increased the amount of the deposit protection scheme under the auspices of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Deposits in authorised banks are now covered up to £35,000 per person. It's also likely that Alistair Darling (yes, Raymond,Sweetie!) will bring in new legislation to further increase this protection to perhaps as much as £100,000!

That change prompted some activity within the hallowed halls of the CIOBS. Recently completed textbooks for the new Chartered Banker qualification, UK Financial Services and Investment, were hurriedly changed to ensure that they were as current as possible prior to going to print.

This week I've been working on Revision Notes for the new version of one of the regulatory qualification subjects (also hurriedly updated with the FSCS change!!) Yesterday though, I was at Napier University to see how the students attending block release (our physical Academy) were doing in their first week. In the afternoon, I joined our Chief Executive, Simon Thompson, at a major bank, to give a presentation to their new graduates.

We've also had revision sessions running this week - on Tuesday for example, Business Law went ahead. Also we had a few Chat Room revision sessions going on. I understand that there were a few technical difficulties and that just after Michael and the lecturer Steven logged on, they 'fell asleep' (in a technological way obviously). I also understand that at a recent revision course, some students fell asleep (in a physical shut eye way!!) As I said, there has been much happening!!

Anyway, hopefully our email system is working again - it was 'down' for most of yesterday, so hopefully Mark (the master of all things IT - except email and chart rooms) will have this sorted!! The idea of a blog was actually Mark's , so blame him!

Right - that's it, I must go. But just before I go, you can start getting excited NOW. I have persuaded another colleague, Martin Fishman, Events Manager, to do a wee blog very, very soon. Let's hope it's a bit better than our first guest contributor's efforts!!

Raymond

CIOBS Sensation

For the first time ever!!!

Two blogs in one day are coming your way!

Only because the blogaholic needed a 'fix'!