Is it safe to come out yet?

Wooooooooooo as some might say on this Halloween day. Well thanks to Val our latest guest blogger. Val or the Wicked Witch from the Dungeons as she is now known!!! The dungeons is a scary place, with Val and the Grim Reaper lurking about down there, Say what you wish about myself and Raymond and many people do, but we are not scary - you have seen the pictures folks. I have included a picture of Val on this blog and of course you all know the Grim Reaper, I rest my case.

It's been all go over the last few days or so. The Glasgow District Centre annual dinner took place last Thursday at the Radission Hotel and was enjoyed by the many attendees. Our chair for the evening was Grant Stott of Radio Forth (As he mentioned once or twice!!) and Scotsport fame. Speakers included our president Miller McLean of RBS, our Chief Executive Simon Thompson, Alastair McManus of Lloyds TSB and Alan Rough of Real Radio et al.

I was advised that Donovan was staying at the hotel. Yes, indeed the 60's superstar himself and not Jason Donovan the 80's icon and friend of Kylie. Younger bloggees are probably saying who? Well Donovan a Glaswegian and indeed a Maryhill man was hailed as Britain's answer to Bob Dylan. ( Don't worry folks I am not going down that road again) What a night it would have been if we could have got him to sing a few of his hits. Mellow Yellow, Catch the Wind, Jennifer Juniper or Cosmic Wheels! Groovy!!

Chartered Banker exams are continuing to take place this week in the various locations throughout the U.K. keep going folks it will be worth it.

A revision session in Apex 5 also took place this week here at Drumsheugh Gardens. I was delighted to meet you all and well done in the final examination. Please take the time to look at our website http://www.ciobs.org.uk/ and take advantage of the courses/ revision sessions on offer.

The revision notes for the new version of Apex 1 have now been checked and will be available shortly to those students enrolling for this new version. This applies to those doing MAPC, CIP and Lifetime Mortgages. As with previous version the revision notes will include mock questions. I am sure that these revision notes will prove to be popular as always.

The week after next sees the return of our Academy students to Napier University and after that I am off on my travels around the UK with a bit of offshore thrown in for good measure. I will be visiting a few orgainisations and hope to meet some of you bloggees along the away. I will not be bringing Val or the Grim Reaper. I will have enough to carry.

Michael (watch out for those witches)

A Blogger from the Dungeons

Greetings from the Dungeons

Hm…Where shall I start? (Best answer to that is “near the end”).
Thanks to Raymond and Michael for the invite to blog - Raymond extended the invite some time ago but seeing Michael has gone “blogger hunting” has scared me into action. (Do not answer your door.)

I am unable to comment on our courses or exams (I need this job) but never tire of talking about the Financial Education Partnership, so thought I could use this blog of an opportunity to say a few words of thanks to all the volunteers that make up the FEP (who happen to read this) and have helped to make it such a success over the years. For those of you not in the know, the FEP is a volunteering initiative supported, and funded, by a number of the financial organisations that we work with. Administered here at the institute, it’s been running since ’98 and is doing exceptionally well (if we don’t mind saying so ourselves). However, that success is down to the people who give up their time to go into schools to chat with pupils about a number of topics - from personal budgeting and running your own business to communication skills and team working. A HUUUGGGEEE thank you to everybody who has ever been out to a school and been involved with this initiative – we hear, day in day out, just how much the schools and pupils appreciate the workshops you deliver. There is a definite demand for your services out there….

Did I mention to get in touch at any time should you be interested in hearing a little bit more about the FEP? Please do – we are ALWAYS needing more and more volunteers to meet the ever increasing demand (a whopping 640 workshops delivered last year – and we’re looking like we will easily increase on that this year). There is no experience required at all and no pressure to cover any particular workshops – our volunteers help out as and when they can, simply because they enjoy it.

Well, that’s it for now. I wonder what our previous Chief Executive would have made of blogging… (Apparently he has taken to walking 5 miles a day since his retirement. Nobody has seen him since.)

Val

PS We prefer our name for the Grim Reaper down here in the dungeons at Drumsheugh Gardens (where all the work gets done). We like “The Examinator”, catch phrase “You’ll be back” (thank you Martin – keep ‘em coming)

What's New?

Good luck in the final examination to the attendees at the Apex 1 Revision Days this week. I know that Raymond certainly enjoyed himself and I am sure that you did too.You know Apex 1 is a tough old exam, however the consolation is once you have passed it that is it! Myself and Raymond have got to teach it again!

Some news on the Regulatory examinations. The new books for Apex 1 and Apex 2 are with us at CIOBS and all new applicants for these courses will be getting the new syllabus. Some old favourites return such as Taxation, including Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and of course the very topical Inheritance Tax.

These books will be so up to date it is incredible, as the ink was drying the updates were being made.

Of course revision notes will be available and are being checked as we speak. As always they will include mock questions, indeed exclusive mock questions not available anywhere else on this planet.

Some good news also for those students of Business law and Retail Banking who are studying the syllabus applicable in England and Wales. Revision notes for these subjects are being worked on and will be ready in plenty of time for the Spring 2008 diet.

The final examinations are under way for the Autumn diet of Chartered Banker and best wishes to you all. I am sure that all the hard work will pay off. You will be glad that you have done the assignments, attended the revision days and maybe even joined in a Chat Room session. Please see previous postings regarding when the results will be available.

A bit of a factual posting this time. I am sure that we have all got G. Reaper out of our system and a bit of normality has returned.

Now where are those other guest bloggers that we promised you? I better go and find out.

Michael ( Away blogger hunting - very sporting!)

Has that bad man gone away?

Phew as they say. Having served my two blog ban it has been over a week now since since I last had the opportunity to chat and what a week it has been. The chickens are all back in their boxes and G. Reaper is back in his. What a character he was! Did he frighten you? He certainly gave me a fright! Let's sort him out and the way to do this is to pass the forthcoming Chartered Banker exams and spoil his Christmas.

Talking of Christmas I heard that G.Reaper gave his nephew an empty box for Christmas last year and told him it was an Action Man deserter! Also on Christmas Eve last year he said to his wife "Put your coat on dear I am going to the pub". " Oh good she said am I coming with you?". "No" he said "I am switching the central heating off" What a character!

Let's hope our guest presenters in future will be like that nice Colin Morrison.

Sticking to today's niceness theme the very nice Raymond Brown is taking the Apex 1 revision course on Monday and Tuesday next week. I am sure that this will be a nice experience for all the attendees.

The following week sees the now legendary and ever so popular Apex 5 revision days with the opportunity to sit the exam on the Tuesday afternoon right here in Drumsheugh Gardens. There may be a couple of places left on this one. If you are interested in attending then please call Gillian Muir on 0131 473 7796. I am sure that Gillian will be very nice and will book your place in a very nice way. The niceness will continue at the Apex 5 sessions. I will be taking this one and I promise to be very nice indeed. G.Reaper will not be around. he will probably be away casting his spells on some poor people somewhere.

I cannot let today pass without mentioning the Hollywood legend Deborah Kerr who passed away on Tuesday aged 86. She was born in Helensburgh in the West of Scotland the same place as John Logie Baird who invented Television. We Scots are wonderful and of course very nice. Well most of us!

A final mention must be made of G.Reaper I am told that he can be found in the Edinburgh Dungeons at the weekend or in Mary King's close. So if you are in the capital this weekend. Watch out Reapers about.

After the trauma of this week I wish you all a very pleasant weekend.

Michael (it's nice to be nice)

EXAMINATIONS START NEXT WEEK

I have been persuaded by my colleagues to do a blog.

Having seen some of the contributions made by others I am not sure that I can maintain the low standards set by them but here goes.

I am sure that most of you are beginning to get a little nervous about your exams over the next fortnight - good! I can't stand students who waltz into exams having studied the night before and then make claims to have written pages of relevant answers. Perhaps they will fail.

Talking of failing (and this really cheers me up!) some of you will do so and even better some of you will be doing a re-sit and will fail again.

Unfortunately, most of you will probably pass and that depresses me!

BUT sticking to the theme of failing, results are due out week commencing 7th January 2008 but I will try to tell everyone who has failed their result by Christmas Eve.

Who's saying Bah Humbug?

G. Reaper
Deputy Examinations Manager

SENSATION - Mystery Man Promises Blog!

Warning to all bloggers and bloggees!

I am advised that a powerful and dangerous entity will do a blog very, very soon.

Students - only read the blog if you are not of a nervous disposition!

WARNING ENDS

Raymond

I may as well do one

Sitting here at the PC enjoying a chat room session in Financial Management is an exciting way to spend the evening so some might say.Others may say do you not have a T.V. Michael? Whilst more may say you should get out more.

The outdoors can be dangerous place you know.Witness this morning's news in Central Scotland Major roads in Central Scotland were brought to a standstill after a lorry containing 1,800 chickens crashed on the A80, leaving birds running loose.. This news brought out every chicken joke known to man and I even found myself singing Chick,chick,chick Chicken ............. as I drove along the A80,in the opposite direction I may add.I am sure that some of you bloggers out there were caught up in the chaos. No cluck as they say or was there fowl play involved?

Tonight's revision session is the final one for the upcoming examination diet.

Good luck rather than cluck to one particular student who is sitting an online examination tomorrow and thank you for your kind comments on the 'phone today.This particular student was very complimentary about the revision notes that CIOBS offer the word brilliant was used. Check out the website for availability.

This student was very complimentary about our website www.ciobs.org.uk especially the tutorials which can be found here http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/os_tutorials.cfm
Yes, you can actually hear Raymond's soothing tones and my own ramblings.

Indeed good luck to everyone doing online examinations tomorrow in the various locations.

There is so much going at CIOBS at the moment and with examination time coming up we are all being kept very busy.I would advise students to utilise the expertise of their subject tutors and mentors.These folks have a wealth of experience.Some are academics,some practitioners and some are a mixture of both. There may even be a Pracademic in there somewhere.

I am sure that Raymond will be blogging again very shortly in fact I think a two blog ban or a fine for excessive blogging could be coming my way. Our guest bloggers are also primed I am sure. They will be worth waiting for. Remember the build up we gave Colin?

Have a good weekend
Michael ( I am sure that the ban will start shortly)

Sorry Raymond. I couldn't resist it

Well as this evening's chat room in Management Strategy and Leadership closes,I thought well I am in the CIOBS website,so why not have a quick blog.The chat room sessions have not been very popular at this examination diet,however the face to face Revision courses have been very popular indeed. How are we going to squeeze 40 people into that room on Thursday? I had better get the shoehorn out.

There are two opportunities left to join in a chat room session, Business Banking at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday 10th October and Financial Management at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday 11th October. You may be the only student and you may get the benefit of one-to-one assistance! The hosts are Alan Swankie on Wednesday and Neil Wilkinson on Thursday. These two fine gentlemen are known to many of you so go on, go on, go on give it a try.

At this time of year I must once again mention assignments. I know this is becoming very repetitive and I sure annoying but please remember Wednesday 10th October 2007, yes, Tomorrow is the final day for submission of that all important second assignment. ( O.K. Michael I think we get the message - Students)

Today at CIOBS saw three revision sessions taking place with a further three taking place tomorrow.

I must also mention the Apex revision sessions, yes indeed the MAPC stuff. The next Apex 1 revision session takes place on 22nd and 23rd October and the Apex 5 session will be happening on 29th and 30th October. There is an opportunity to sit the final examination for Apex 5 H/2 on the afternoon of 30th October.A few places remain on each course. Please call 0131 473 7777 to book your place.

I am glad that the exam is not taking place at Halloween. there are enough ghosties and ghoulies around at the best of time. You may have read Colin's blog the other week.I think we shall call him a ghostie!

Michael (Better go before I turn into a pumpkin)

Another fun packed week

Good morning to one and all and welcome to the Monday morning blog. As I type many are gathering at Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh for a revision session in the Chartered Banker subject Management Strategy and Leadership. This week sees various sessions taking place both here in Drumsheugh Gardens and at Napier University.

Revision chat room sessions are also taking place this week and further details can be found here http://www.ciobs.org.uk/qualifications/downloads/ChatRoom.pdf Thursday's session in Financial Management will now commence at 8.30 p.m. and not 7.00 p.m. All other sessions will commence at 7.00 p.m. as previously intimated.

At the risk of being repetitive, who me ? The 10th October is only two days away. So those Chartered Banker students who have assignments to submit, you have until midnight on Wednesday to submit them. Please check those p.c.'s check out those email accounts and please please please keep a copy of both your assignment and the actual email sent. I am pleading with you on this one in light of previous experiences!!!!

After all that excitement I hope that the week ahead is good to you and I hope it is good to me too. My email is not working at the moment and I am waiting on our I.T. expert to get it sorted. Come on Mark where are you.? How did we ever manage without email? What excitement is waiting for me in those emails? How many will there be? Who are they from?

Michael (Waiting patiently)

I must also do one It's Friday!

Hello to Raymond and indeed to all you blogees. As the great man said what a week it has been. I was in Leeds yesterday visiting two organisations including a presentation to 40 new graduate students at one particular organisation. It was great to meet everyone and thanks go to my partner in crime Sharon Allan. We met at 5.15 yesterday morning for the early flight to Leeds what a nice early start.

I must wish Sharon well. Walking towards the airport saw poor Sharon fall to the ground. No I did not push her!and she ended up grazing her knee.However a very large plaster did the trick and I did not mention the incident during any of the presentations. This is because Sharon said she would cut my leg off if I did. I am sure she said leg.

Now next Wednesday is the 10th October so what you may say. As all Chartered Banker students sitting examinations in the Autumn diet are aware this is the final date for submission of your second assignment. Remember anything received by your subject tutor after this date will not count towards pass compensation.

I see that The Bank of England yesterday kept benchmark UK interest rates at 5.75%, sticking firmly to its inflation-targeting objective.

The European Central Bank yesterday also held its line and kept benchmark interest rates in the 13-nation eurozone at 4%.

Well that was the busy week that was.

A good weekend to everyone

Michael (I have told you before I am not a blogaholic. I just enjoy a blog from time to time)

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'!

October already?

I remember a friend of mine telling me that he was walking down Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow a few years ago and he noticed the Christmas trees in the shop windows, the lights flickering,the sound of carols and he suddenly thought it can't be October already. Well it is and welcome to the new month.

It's all happening at CIOBS I was at Napier University this morning where our Academy started back for the 2007/8 session. 17 eager and enthusiastic students have started the term with a class in Business Banking.

Here in the Drumsheugh Gardens a revision session is taking place for Financial Management and another afternoon session in The Compliant Person and Regulatory Risk due to get under way at 2.00 p.m. So if any of your colleagues are missing today they might be here at CIOBS Towers or at Napier University.

If all this wasn't enough tomorrow night brings the first of our Chat Room sessions with Retail Banking taking place online at 7.00 p.m.

Looking ahead the chat room in Financial Management schedulded for Thurday 11th October will now start at the later time of 8.30 p.m. and not 7.00 p.m. as previously advertised.

Congratulations to Chris Finlay of CIOBS who completed the Great North Run yesterday. Chris tells me he came 8000th out of 50,000. A great performance. I will get his exact time and let you all know later in the week.

Well on that piece of impressive news I must run!Thanks to Colin for his blog last Friday. what a nice man he is. Don't be put off by his accent when you meet him. He is from Peterhead.

Michael (Ho Ho Ho)