Posts Tagged ‘internet’

Tax free booklets: the hunt for duplicates is open

July 30, 2010 - 6:52 am Comments Off

The law is clear: each person can have only one tax-free booklet, A book or booklet blue. But who knows exactly where his grandparents do not stock a book to his name between the sheets of the linen closet? The Observatory of regulated savings admits that part of the 60 million books is linked to "a significant number of cases" of multidétention the booklet by the same investor. This situation existed even before the normalization of the Livret A, but increased with distribution efforts led by banks such as Credit Agricole and Societe Generale. "I have two savings books, but my savings bank refuses to close one that depends on it," says an investor.

The government, aware of the significant risk of slippage, had threatened the special penalty ": a fine on 2% of the outstanding or additional booklets had been provided by the Act of August 4, 2008. At this stage, however, no penalty has been applied, we recognize the Bank of France. To punish, would it still have the ability to distinguish between the intentional fraud and unintentional multidétenteurs No checking account payday advance."The computerization of some later historical networks did not facilitate the long-term management of these booklets, which have long shelf life support equipment," says the report, acknowledging that fiscal controls "remained limited in scope."

A central

Since the reform of the distribution of the Livret A, efforts are being made to remedy this situation. A central recency bank accounts in France, but it is still not an accurate picture of the holders of tax-free books. Each account is opened or a booklet, the banks have the obligation to consult. These planchent services of the State to establish the second half of 2010 an effective due diligence. "The process is complicated to implement, it is done gradually," said a representative of the Observatory of regulated products.Meanwhile, the Ministers of Economy and Budget have written twice to banks to encourage them to ensure the right information to their customers. What encouraged them to regularize their situation.

SocGen strengthens its fund management

June 15, 2010 - 12:08 pm Comments Off

Societe Generale Securities Services (GSS), a subsidiary specializing in securities trades in Societe Generale, announced in a statement Monday night for a commercial partnership with U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp U.S. Bank. The objective of this association is to provide investors with a global service fund administration, global custody, lending, securities lending or distribution of funds.

The French bank, which is the number six world titles with the conservation of 3.246 trillion euros in assets under custody, has not been quantified business objectives but it does ensure that the alliance is not motivated by reducing costs. "The goal is not cost synergies but revenue synergies", explained Alain Closier, director of GSS, indicating that this type of alliance has never been tied up in securities trades.

No capital alliance

"This is not a partnership capital, held to clarify Alain Closier low fee payday advance. "There is not any exchange of shares between the two groups. We have no agenda or planned merger between the two institutions, "he added. "We always talk about critical mass, to pool plants to decrease costs," said the officer referring to reconcile and partnerships established by other banks in this business.

Also asked about a possible sale of securities of the SocGen activity or a possible strategic partnership, Alain Closier said that the rumors currently circulating were "unfounded"."There are always rumors fed by different sources, such as competitors, then taken over by consultants looking for business. It is difficult to comment on rumors, especially when they become increasingly accurate and increasingly unfounded ", he further said.

Questions about the crisis in the euro area

April 29, 2010 - 6:00 pm Comments Off

"Greece can she leave the euro area?

"What is the role of rating agencies?

"Greece can go bankrupt?

"Is there a risk of contagion to the rest of the euro area?

"What risks for European banks?

"Why do they attack the markets as Portugal?

"Does France have any reason to worry?

• Greece can she leave the euro area?

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The want it – despite the financial risks – Greece would have the greatest difficulty to get out of the eurozone for legal reasons. If a Member State may be expelled from the EU if it no longer meets the political criteria, this option is not provided by the Treaties for the euro area. This legal vacuum is subject to interpretation."It is inconceivable that a Member State legally so the euro area without retiring in parallel with the European Union," says Phoebus Athanassiou, legal adviser to the ECB. As for expulsion from the monetary union, it would be "virtually impossible from a legal standpoint, because it would amend the treaties unanimously, says he, in a research note. Angela Merkel had called in March to exclude the possibility of a country does not fulfill the conditions of membership of the single currency. Without revising the treaties, the option of expulsion would be "perhaps achievable through the back door" by establishing a de facto monetary union with two speeds. The emerging countries could keep the euro as parallel currency.But it is more of a possibility is more theoretical than practical, as the hazards are many.

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"Merkel should be able to exclude a country from the euro

• What is the role of rating agencies?

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Rating agencies – the number three in the world – are private and independent agencies that assign a score to countries or financial companies. Investors rely on this note to know the risk level of bonds they buy. Each agency to its own methodology. Standard & Poor's, for example, attributes the "AAA" rating to the best transmitters, then descends to "AA" and "A" and "BBB". Each time, these notes are accompanied by signs + or -.Then, the notes come down to "BB" and are then considered to reflect the level of obligations "rotten" … In general, the rating reflects the percentage probability that the issuer will default. Thus, an issuer rated triple AAA, like France, has 0% chance to fail in three years. An issuer 'BB', as is now Greece, 23.08% to fail within three years.

• Greece can go bankrupt?

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Photo credits: AFP

The cloud of ash does not jam recovery

April 19, 2010 - 10:12 pm Comments Off

"Dust volcanic paralysis airport dangerous for the economy." The Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CGPME) became concerned Monday that could have consequences for European sky empty of planes. Dramatization? CGPME quick to point out a little further in his text that only SMEs "whose activity is immediately dependent on air transport" are currently affected.

If paralysis continues, the slow recovery of the economy will she threatened? "If this situation persists, all French SMEs encounter difficulties," worries CGPME. Everything depends on the duration of the flight ban imposed much of European airspace. "The problem is simple: the shock will be there temporarily or not?" Says Philippe Waechter, head of economic research at Natixis."For now, all this is annoying but does not call into question the economic recovery."

"A crisis of this type can be analyzed as attacks or an outbreak, however, significant events that have little overall economic impacts," said Nicolas Bouzou for its part, an economist at Aster. Especially since the paralysis of European airspace should not have a huge impact on trade between Europe and the rest of the world, according to the Economist: "80% of goods moved by boat. And the businessmen will still meet in videoconferencing payday loan instant. "

Attacks and pandemic

The situation is somewhat reminiscent of the paralysis attacks of Sept. 11, which at the time, had greatly affected the airline."This event has changed the behavior vis-?-vis the air, but the current environment is extremely different," relativize Philippe Waechter. "Today, if the ban is lifted, all restarts as before." September 11 has also not necessarily have any impact on the economy, beyond transport. "It is very difficult to detect traces of attacks on the World Trade Center on economic growth," said Nicolas Bouzou.

More recently, influenza H1N1 has raised fears the worst. Especially because of the flight ban could be decided to limit the spread of the virus. The worst-case scenarios developed while anticipating a decline in U.S. GDP by 1.5% year over year. Impact due to paralysis of all types of transport, the cancellation of sporting and cultural events and absenteeism rates of about 30 to 40% in companies.In comparison, the ash cloud would block more than 150,000 French nationals abroad. For a limited time.

See also:

"Economic consequences cascade

"Volcano: expected improvement by the end of the week

Ousted Generali, Bernheim is preparing its response

April 9, 2010 - 3:00 am Comments Off

LE FIGARO. – Your estate at the head of Generali was held a week ago by Mediobanca, the main shareholder. The agreement was then found that satisfy you?

Antoine Bernheim. – No. Of course I understand that we did not wish to renew for three years president of 85 years. But in this case, it is obvious that age is an excuse. I do not accept the way things have been made against me and against Generali. Me, I was offered an "honorary president", but not at the board of directors! As for the company, its management has been decided from the outside, in Mediobanca. And he provides a board where anyone outside the two managing directors (CEOs, Ed) will not know anything for insurance. They even rejected Claude Tendil, president of Generali France, which is one of the best insurers in the world.Generali deserves better than that. We do not yet know how the powers will be defined between the two managing directors and the president. As for Mr. Geronzi, who must take the presidency, I wonder … This is not an insurer and he always said he did not want this job.

Will you accept this patronage?

Honestly, I do not know yet. Thanks to Mediobanca, I'm not even on the list of directors to be presented at the meeting April 24. Given what I represent in the history of Generali, I think it's an insult. Ultimately, I could accept such a position, if I was director. And then, when we, like me, been kicked out of a masterful kick, one is rather tempted to retaliate. I am.I would add that on April 24, the small shareholders in Generali will, too, have a say.

Vincent Bollore, who is close to you has participated in the council and Mediobanca will become vice chairman of Generali. This does not "compensate" Does not your departure?

Vincent Bollore said he did everything he could within the nominations committee of Mediobanca. I think, though, in reality, I think that he is not against the idea of a withdrawal to my age. He advises me for months already to accept a honorary president for life and the benefits attached to them.Do I need? After all, my phone rings again …

As for the future role within the board of Generali, Vincent Bollore – who, as intelligent and dynamic as it is, is not an insurer – I do not know what he can be when we clearly supports a takeover of Generali by Mediobanca.

What do you mean?

I think if you put me in the door today Generali, because I defend an orthodox management, exclusively serving the interests of the company and its shareholders, not special interests. I also fought for what is Generali of Italy, a treasure, one of his very few companies to be known worldwide. We're number two in France, Germany, Central Europe, in China too (private sector).But for the merchant bank Mediobanca, which is no longer the hub of the Italian economy, it was the time of Enrico Cuccia, the issue has always been to return to power at Generali No teletrack payday loan. What has never been neither in the interests of the company and its customers or the interests of Italy.

The defense of Generali, it was also against the appetites of other insurers. Have you, during your presidency, proposed a marriage with AXA?

My duty has always been to defend, with all my strength, the "Italian character" of Generali. So yes, Axa has always wanted a reconciliation, but I've always been against. And I have often said Claude Bebear.If it was thought at one time or another, the fact that French is the head of Generali was a godsend, he finally had to give in to reason.

Compare yourself today the circumstances of your departure to the 1999?

When I became the CEO of Generali in 1995, it achieved very little of its profit in connection with its object. She was content to sell property to make profits! In four years, I had doubled the turnover consolidated global market capitalization tripled. But Mediobanca from me in 1999. As I said at the time, and this remains true, the recognition is a disease of the dog not transmissible to man!

And then in 2002, Mediobanca, very concerned about the financial situation of Generali, which was lost, asked me to return. What not to the liking of everyone.Antonio Fazio, Governor of the Bank of Italy, has done everything for me put a spoke in the wheels. But he failed. Others were convinced that I would not set goals that I had with the two managing directors: we had developed a considerable business plan, for a term of three years for the management, instead of just one year as was. And as I have done my job, they could not get rid of me … until now.

This special relationship between Generali and Mediobanca did she embarrassed in your plans for the insurer?

Yes, because Mediobanca would not be diluted stake in Generali. They have never wanted me to realize any capital increase. Mediobanca may not, from his point of view, giving room for maneuver to Generali, and I worry for its future.Because if the company has managed to partially rebuild its capital after the terrible financial crisis we went through these past two years, it will not be sufficient to meet future regulatory requirements under Solvency 2 Directive nor more needs to be developed by means not only organic but also by major acquisitions.

At one point, he will make a capital increase. And better sooner than later because the liquidity has been abundant in recent months, will not always what you …

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Daimler-Renault agreement imminent

March 27, 2010 - 11:41 pm Comments Off

In discussions for several months, Renault and Daimler could seal the alliance next month. Reportedly, Renault convened April 6 board of directors on this extraordinary subject. Y will be referred to the amplitude of the partnership between the two groups and an exchange of shareholdings which reach a symbolic level of around 3% of the capital, the Financial Times.

The holding of this board proves both that the proposed partnership is strategic and that Renault wants to make a quick decision. The aim is to announce in the wake to shareholders of Daimler and Renault, whose general meetings held respectively on 14 and April 30.

A partnership on small cars appears to be established."We saw no fundamental obstacle that would prevent an agreement", said earlier this month Dieter Zetsche, head of Daimler, maker of Mercedes and Smart. Both groups were formalized in late 2009 for discussions on small cars. He would share components between models Renault, the successor of the Mercedes A and B and the Future Smart, and even create a common platform to both manufacturers for smaller models. The agreement would also cover vehicles and electric utilities. This would allow Daimler, which has lost a lot of money with its smart, make economies of scale crucial.

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault, has never hidden his willingness to open the Renault-Nissan Alliance in a third partner, bad credit payday advance . Objective: "search for additional synergies.The owner of the mark in the Diamond does not believe the alliance cooperation without capital, only "a symbol that the relationship is long term." "It is difficult to ask the engineers of two competing companies to share fully their skills without the link," said he.

Participation Nissan

The Japanese Nissan, which Renault owns 44%, could also be part of the agreement with Daimler. According to the Nikkei, Daimler would provide bigger engines to Nissan, which in turn would make electric cars and batteries to the German group."If Renault signs an alliance with Daimler extent, I suppose Nissan will join the alliance," said a Nissan executive quoted by the Japanese newspaper.

An equity cross between Renault and Daimler mean that the obstacle of the valuation gap between the two groups (10 billion euros to 37 billion French and in German at the current rate) has been bypassed. To simplify things, Daimler would provide the 3.5% it owns in his own group, according to Bloomberg. Finally, the merger could also speed the withdrawal of Renault in Volvo AB, the truck manufacturer with the French group holds 20%.

"France held its largest export"

February 5, 2010 - 10:36 pm Comments Off

Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Anne-Marie Idrac, will announce Friday morning trade figures in 2009. France's 5th largest exporter, has eroded market share at the expense of its competitors.

LE FIGARO .- What is the balance of French foreign trade in 2009?

Anne-Marie IDRAC .- 2009 was a year encouraging, marked by a significant reduction in trade deficit due to the strong decrease of the energy bill free credit report . But beyond that figure, the major point is that France has held its largest export in a context of crisis. The world demand in our country has decreased by 13% by volume, and our exports have declined in this order of magnitude.But this movement has been marked elsewhere and, unlike Germany or Italy, France has managed to retain its market share vis-?-vis OECD countries, accounting for 6.6% exports.