Folding investment banking back into commercial banks???!!!

Pre 1933: Banks could take deposits and make loans as well as play the role of an investment bank

Post 1933: When the financial system collapsed, many blamed the business model of these "universal banks". As a result the Glass-Steagall Act was passed, whereby universal banks could no longer take deposits while also issuing and selling debt and equity.

1999: 66 years later the Glass-Steagall Act was repealed, but majority of the bulge bracket investment banks refused to merge with the boring commercial banks, perhap they werent sexy enough? Citigroup was an exception...

2008: This year we see the situation reversing really quick, in a matter of a week! We now see investment banks begging on their knees to be adopted by commercial banks. That leaves us with just Goldman Sachs...

Not too different from things in Malaysia...flip flop flip flop haha

I wish i was back in school

The awesome CDS spread equation

Its a terrible time to be working in the investment banking biz, those employed are hanging by a thin thread. Uncertainty looms, to be honest I dont even know where things might head for me. Observation tells me everyones on the beach, nothing is moving and potential deals are all on hold. So, with three bulge brackets gone and news of Wachovia buying Morgan Stanley, that leaves ppl like us with less choices in the future. At the moment, I'm glad to be where I am but if things do change, boutiques or SWFs will likely be my options.

Market shed billions of dollars today after Wall Street took massive plunged amid the cosmic AIG bailout, seems like nobody is convinced! The US Gov had to cough out $85b to rescue them. As I understood, it'll be a 2 year loan and within that timeframe AIG will dispose off bits and pieces of itself. The root cause lies with their troubled capital markets division where they sold credit default swaps to banks and investors against defaults in CDOs. I wonder what my CDS-loving uni professor thinks of the current situation...

and will AIG continue to sponsor Manure??!!!

50,000 job losses?

Bear Stearns gone...now Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy and Merrill Lynch sold at $50bn, we're potentially witnessing 50,000 jobless bankers out there. May be good news to the surviving banks but its bad news for those fresh grads planning to start a career in IBanking as they'll be competing with far more experience ppl. Its going to be really tough.

When Bear Stearns got bought over, I remembered how senior bankers at my firm were laughing and making fun about them, especially after they made a statement prior to its sale that the company was not in trouble and assured the market that it could weather the storm. That was the end of an 85 year old bank.

I wonder to what extend will BoA scale-down Merrill's Asian operations...

BigPay+NoLife+Loneliness > SlavePay+Life+Family ?

I miss home, been away for quite some time now. Whether its a permanent move or temporary, i have to decide, but my parents is of the opinion that it should be the former. The thing is, I had my mind conditioned since i was young that working overseas will be the best move, so to speak. Having spent so many years abroad studying and working, i am still not ready to call this place i am residing, home. Then again, why should i try so hard to make it home? I can always jump on the plane and fly home but the thought of working for a measly few thousand ringgit a month serves as a good reminder why i am working abroad. Perhaps i should continue working abroad, build up my financial nest and wait for a comparable opportunity from Msia. That ought to help me decide...

For the time being I'll get back to my unhealthy publicly glorified lifestyle...

The real faces behind Nike

Found an interesting clip from Channel 7 news regarding the poor working conditions of forced labour in Malaysia.

Here is the link http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qzm7MCusGM

Blogshit: Every conversation could be a potential post

Why do some bloggers post up conversations they have with their friends, colleagues, family verbatim?

If thats the case, isnt there a natural inclination to make it more interesting artificially since money is involved?

I wonder if there will be any impact on their daily social interactions...

Whats next?

Alright heres a new post, a great achievemement by my standards considering the fact that i'm terrible at expressing myself. I am feeling really dull lately, it seems like i've lost touch with my aspirations.

All these years i've always thought that i had everything planned to perfection, i worked hard towards it and when i got a job overseas to pursue my career in investment banking, it was like a dream come true. Now that i'm here i find the question "Whats next?" ringing constantly in my head.

I remember vividly how amazed i was during my varsity days when i read articles on investment banking career and how bankers live on the fast lane; the ridiculous amount they earn, the cars they could afford when they're in their 20s, clothes they wear and of course the "people they meet". It was the coolest job, competition no contest! i thought to myself! No other jobs could trump this, the second profession in line would probably be management consulting?

Of course with all these perks come sacrifices too; lost of friends, family members dont remember you (will happen soon if i dont make a trip back) and on top of all you dont have time for yourself. This job redefines the meaning of BUSY...

Its been a few years now and i think its time i reconsider my goals...