Busy Days!

Hi all and welcome!

Firstly, I'd like to apologise that Michael is having a few days holiday. I know that he is becoming a bit of a cult blogger, but even literary superstars need a break!

This week has certainly been exciting. As the great Downey proclaimed, I was hosting the Scottish Banking Forum on Tuesday morning, with that unforgettable title "Wealth Managers Driving For Success: Becoming Tomorrow's Elite" - by the time that I had announced it, it was nearly time for the closing remarks!! Apart from that it was a good session, with over 20 delegates in attendance.

On Wednesday, we had our International Chartered Banker Conference. With delegates arriving from Corstorphine, Gorgie, Dalry and Leith, it truly was a global affair! To balance that up, we did however have several excellent speakers from Europe who gave an insight as to the opportunities for UK banks to tap into the Central Eastern European markets. Interestingly, but of no surprise to many delegates, the message for UK banks was that service delivery had to be sharpened up for success to follow - others would however argue that service levels are currently more than satisfactory!

Professionalism and Ethics was another key theme of the day.

This is an area of much interest to all in the financial services sector and one which the CIOBS will be focusing on over the coming months / years. During the panel discussion, a delegate asked about the ethics of charging £30 for an overdrawn balance of say £10. The reply from a panel member was to the effect that perhaps it was about as ethical as overdrawing your account in the first place without permission - indeed, was unauthorised overdrawing actually any different from walking out of a shop without paying for your goods? Controversial or what, young Giles!

Overall, the Conference was a great success, with around 130 in attendance and a distinguished speaker list, including John Swinney, MSP and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance giving the keynote address. I always like to pick up on the little idiosyncrasies of speakers and like many politicians, John just loves to say "aspirations"!

Other than that, we have been doing some real work as well. We are still working on the new procedures for the Chartered Banker qualification and these will be sent to students as soon as possible. The new procedures include areas like assignments, which of course affect tutors too and so these are also being revamped.

Never mind, folks, even if life is getting a bit weary, it's important to look on the bright side. Two things to cheer you up before I go. Firstly, it's Friday and the weekend looms. Secondly, the King of the Bloggers will return next week to royally entertain you. On reflection, at least you have one thing to look forward to!

Have a great weekend.

Raymond