| Budgetary baptism |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| The new Minister may find that proposals rejected (rightly) by his predecessor are re presented to him prior to the budget. The Minister should reject these proposals. The Minister might also consider correcting some of the errors made by his predecessor who, notwithstanding that he was an excellent Minister, did adopt some poor measures.There are also new landmines being prepared which the Minister would do well to sidestep. |
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| Careers in finance and financial services: Profile of an actuary |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| An aptitude for mathematics is a primary skill required for anyone considering a career as an actuary, but the need for this is sometimes over-stated with many professionals coming from a wide variety of backgrounds, including theology and physics, says Brona McGee, head of Royal Liver’s actuarial division. |
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| Directors in dark on non-financial info |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Most board directors and executives need more non-financial information on how well their companies are satisfying customers, delivering quality products and services, operating with efficient processes, and developing new products and services, according to a new report conducted on behalf of Deloitte by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). |
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| Dublin Brent oil trading tops record in first month |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| The New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) traded 95,435 contracts in its first month of operation in Dublin, topping the previous record of 49,565 contracts when the futures contract was introduced in 2001. |
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| Elan raises $1.15bn |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Elan Pharmaceuticals this month issued $1.15 billion in loan notes, well ahead of the $850 million it had previously announced it intended to sell. |
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| EU institutions – at a glance |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| With Charlie McCreevy soon to take up his new role as European Commissioner for the Internal Markets, and two of Ireland's Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Eoin Ryan and Gay Mitchell, sitting on the Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Ireland's role and influence in the EU is increasing. But what is the difference between the Commission and the Parliament? FINANCE the opportunity to look at the structure and roles of the various European Union institutions. |
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| Government silent as EU gives green light to renewal of BES and Seed Capital Schemes |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Despite the absence of any reference to the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) in the Budget, the Government has been given the green light to renew this key initiative as well as the Seed Capital Scheme (SCS) until 2006, and probably longer, by the European Commission. However, the scheme which allowed traders on FINEX to avail of tax breaks will finish at the end of the year. |
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| How FGS got to the top of finance’s efficiency table |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| In FINANCE's Annual Accountancy Survey 2004, which was published in last month's issue, Farrell Grant Sparks (FGS) emerged as the most efficient accountancy firm, generating more income more staff member than any other firm in the survey. Pearse Farrell talks to Fiona Reddan about the FGS success story. |
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| Investing in ‘la vie francaise’ is not as easy as it seems |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Buying property in France is becoming increasingly popular with Irish investors, writes John Crawley, but potential investors need to be aware that it is not as easy an undertaking as it would seem. Not only is the purchase process different but the tax, legal and financing consequences need to be thought out. |
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| Irish banks need to win back the trust of their staff if they are to succeed |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| The Irish banking sector is being undermined by the erosion of trust and a lack of respect for staff, according to Professor Ray Kinsella, who looks at what needs to be done to restore the balance between ethics and success. |
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| Irish film financing industry develops |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| The growth of film financing under Section 481 has led to the emergence of a pool of expertise in film financing that, while initially focused on Ireland based productions, is now being used for international projects. Irish institutions such as Anglo Irish Bank, AIB and Bank of Ireland are active in the film financing sector. Among the projects to benefit from this financing was The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino. |
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| McCreevy shows early promise as Commissioner for Finance |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| The EU's new Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has signalled a let-up in new financial services legislation, reassuring Members of the European Parliament that he would take account of the legislative 'fatigue' experienced by the sector. Fiona Murray reports on the Commissioner's early days in his new Brussels post. |
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| Meetings, scones and Christmas parties… |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Mon O’Driscoll, managing director of AIB Corporate Finance, may be able to avoid the worst of Dublin's traffic every morning, but he still spends a packed day dealing with staff recruitment, marketing, winning next year’s mandates, clients’ needs and a Christmas party - and that's all before a night of entertaining at the Cork Opera House. |
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| Money market funds portal comes to Ireland |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Corporate treasurers and portfolio managers can now access a number of different money market funds through an institutional money fund portal. Run by Institutional Cash Distributors (ICD), the portal offers access to number of different offshore funds including Bank of America Global Liquidity US Dollar Fund, and the SsgA Cash Management GBP Fund. |
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| New BIAM CEO faces challenge |
Issue: 11 / 2004 |
| Bank of Ireland Asset Management (BIAM) has appointed a new chief executive, Kevin Dolan, at a time when it, alongside a number of other of Ireland’s largest fund managers, struggle to grow their businesses. Figures compiled by FINANCE in the course of its 2004 Stockbroking Survey indicate that overall assets under management by Ireland’s indigenous fund management sector have barely grown for most of the year. |
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