Latest articles from Brian Caplen

The UK general election: what now for the EU and Scotland?

May 8, 2015

With the Conservatives springing a surprise victory in the UK general election, eyes turn towards the coming EU in-out referendum in 2017, as well as renewed calls for Scottish independence.

The UK bank levy: a step too far?

April 28, 2015

The introduction of a bank levy in the UK is not only unfair it is also unlikely to achieve its intended purpose. 

What the West can learn from the AIIB

April 20, 2015

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has already raised more than a few eyebrows in its short life. However, rather than criticise, Western politicians should make note of its focus – oft-ignored infrastructure requirements – and ask why existing such institutions, namely the IMF and World Bank, are deemed insufficient to cope with Asia's needs.

Could fixing the old crisis make the next crisis more painful?

April 10, 2015

Regulators have spent the past few years ensuring that a repeat of the last crisis will not happen. However, as JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has highlighted in a letter to shareholders, these actions could only be serving to worsen the effects of the next crisis. And Brian Caplen thinks he may have a point...

Set Aung

Myanmar's fast track to financial fruition

April 1, 2015

Much progress has already been made in Myanmar's financial markets since the country's liberalisation in 2011, and now it is on the brink of refining its banking laws and establishing the Yangon Stock Exchange.

The UK economy is a ticking time bomb

March 31, 2015

The UK may have returned to growth, but with its budget deficit still dangerously high, the economy largely failing in its drive to develop non-banking sectors. Given the lack of political ambition to solve either of these problems, it is only a matter of time before it falls back into a recession. 

Sabadell takes the TSB tech test

March 24, 2015

Spanish lender Sabadell intends to transfer newly acquired UK bank TSB onto its IT platform in a move that highlights the vital role that IT plays in banking strategy. 

Swift’s Russian board director is not a political decision

March 9, 2015

The addition of a Russian seat on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication's board of directors should not be interpreted as a political move by the organisation.

Will the Old Lady's new approach work?

March 5, 2015

As the Bank of England is modernised, with clearer communications between central bank and the City of London at its core, Brian Caplen highlights the problems that a more formalised communications system may bring about.

Myanmar starts to find its financial feet

Myanmar starts to find its financial feet

March 1, 2015

A closed economy for nearly 50 years, the opportunities that have opened up in Myanmar are endless, especially in telecommunications and banking. Brian Caplen looks at how players from these sectors are collaborating and innovating in order to tap into the country's huge potential, and examines the hurdles still facing foreign entrants to the market.

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