EU Finmins Seek to End Bank - Tax Row, Grill Agencies

The European Union finance ministers are still searching for a solution whether and how to recuperate the cost of the crises from the European banks.

With regard to how to charge banks for the costs of crises, the opinions are divided. Most ministers agree on making an extra levy on the banks, the issue is however on the one hand where the proceeds should go to and on the other hand what the levy should be based on. The big obstacle remains the fear that not every country will implement the decision.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/10/01/business/business-us-eu-banklevy.html?_r=1&dbk

Isabeau Haelterman

The big squeeze

Investment banking has been  a golden age, but now the bursting of the debt bubble came and this slump may last. Firms don't want to lose their talents but banks prefer chooping people instead of cutting pay. If there is economic growth, investment banking should also pick up, but this time it could be different because the economics of the business have substantially weakened. There also can be positive effects, if borrowers move into bond markets, this would boost debt-origination business for some investment banks. 
(the economist) 

Lise Keirens

Sweden's recovery

Sweden is doing exceptionally well in these difficult times. Thanks too strong public finances and government cautiousness it has been able to raise its 2010 growth forecast for the third time in four months which makes it one of the best performing economies in Europe. Even though the rate has been raised the future remains uncertain for the country whose gross domestic product relies for about 50 percent on export. There are even some who say that the stimulus to keep the recovery going has been underestimated and that Sweden will suffer if the economic activity decreases again. Only time will tell who's right or wrong.

(Financial Times)

Mathieu Liebaert

Financial Planning For A Child With Special Needs

It’s very important to make the required financial arrangements so a loved one with special needs gets the right care after you’re gone. A Special Needs Trust and a letter of Intent need to be established. These documents are absolutely critical when it comes to the protecting of government benefits of an individual with a disability. Planning such things may involve important and emotional decisions, but need to be taken right now. (Forbes) 

Loïc Labeeu

Payback Time

For years, Grameen operated in the developing world, offering people microcredits, who would otherwise could not get a loan, particularly aiming for women. 
In 2007 this bank decided to expand its business to the US, where its popularity is rapidly growing.
Sure thing that even in the US, there are people who don’t have access to credit, that is why Grameen decided to join some other microlenders including the well-known Latin American Acción.
Nowadays some smart entrepreneurs realize that supporting microlenders is a great idea: next to making good publicity for the company, entrepreneurs are more likely to get their money back from an African-American woman, establishing her own project, than some usual middle-class big spender.

Lotte Janssens

Newsweek

Spend or save your cash?

According to Charles Bean, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, we should be spending our cash rather than saving, if we want to help the economy recover.

But would it be wise to listen to this advice, when all over the world, workers fear unemployment? People who saved throughout their entire life are now being urged to give up some of their savings to help their country recover from this financial blow.Mr. Bean's comments are being called "irresponsible" and contrary to sound financial advice. We can find enough reasons to save our cash instead of spending it.
(The daily telegraph)

Lore Maes

Google's new pepper mill

The search engine Google is working on a whole new concept called the GPI or Google Price Index. A new inflation measure for online sold goods. "A tragedy struck our house a few months ago because my favourite pepper mill broke" quotes Hal Varian, Google's chief economist, explaining he came up with this index idea when he was confronted with a list of prices for online sold pepper mills. The GPI could outcome official statistics on accuracy and up-to-dateness but is not meant to be a replacement for the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
(The Financial Times)

Charles Libert