Thursday 18 October 2012

Islamic banking

After finished my degree, I always think what should I do interm of self-development. To be honest, I was confused and kind of lost. Some says its better to pursue to the higher degree by taking master or phd. The other advised me to take professional accountancy papers like ACCA, ICAEW since I got 7 exemptions. But when I looked back, my job now does not require me to take any professional papers as my day to day job more on management side rather than audit or tax. Frankly speaking, I'm interested to do research and deepen my knowledge in islamic finance. I dont mind whether its banking or takaful industry but I'm sure banking is more exciting. Even investment also looks interesting, sukuk thingy. Just now, I read newspaper regarding HSBC Amanah. HSBC, british bank, started their business with conventional bank and then expanded by developing islamic banks. The sad story here, as a one of the pioneer to the islamic banking industry, HSBC decided to pull back some of the islamic bank business. They will only focus on certain market like malaysia as it is still growing and profitable. HSBC in Britain, Singapore,UAE, Saudi Arabia are no longer offering islamic products. The good thing is, it will give local player/islamic bank an opportunity to step in and compete with other international islamic banks. Before this, with the existence of big bank like HSBC, local banks may be demotivated as compare with the size, local player knows that its pretty hard to compete. Another interesting topic reported today, islamic banks M&A (merger and acquisition) is coming soon. This will be the first islamic banks to be in the M&A interm of islamic banking industry. Currently, Affin holdings is waiting for central bank green light to accomplish this M&A. I can't wait to see these thing happen as I wanna know the impact to the industry and interm of process as well. We'll see then!

Wednesday 17 October 2012

CAR.....I wanna buy one. Currently, I'm in love with renault megane. The hatchback. so nice even the price is also nice. At this moment of time, I do not own any but drive dad's car. My dad car is really amazing and last week, I bang maybank gate on my way home. It wasnt my fault actually. so now there are few scratches at the passenger door on the right side. Too bad I have to pay for the repair. A minor touch up will do. Some of my friends they knew about it so they commented that my dad car is pretty big. For me, I'm ok with it. The bang, nothing to do with size, I was careless since it is big. I'm thinking to get a new one since I dont want to trouble my dad anymore. He suggested that I continue to pay the existing benz. I want it so badly but I can't afford to pay it. Monthly wise, I can pay back the loan but I can't afford to top up my fuel, road tax even regular service also. Instead of taking his suggestion seriously, I told him might as well I take a new one which is slightly cheaper. Car hunting seems so exciting but for me its quite tough. I drove 2 benz and a bmw already now I'm facing a hard time. I dont know what type of car should I buy since my expectation and benchmark way too high already. I wanted to buy renault megane, dad gave green light buttttttttttttt...........the price really kicked my butt...damn expensive.. and no second hand value..too bad. I know I cant afford it.... Lancer hatchback also in my list but its not worth it! mazda2, same also. Polo..in my list also but....not worth it. Dad said might as well look for sedan which is cheaper and worth it. I agreed with him. Yet, I'm still looking for the right one. Not really sure when this going to be over. I have most of cars price but still considering. If you want to know any just give a quick message. I'll tell you anyway. Hopefully my boss will reward me generous bonuses so that I can pay for the downpayment...hehehehe Pleaseeeee.... Ok I'm just trying to brush up my vocab and dont take my writing seriously coz at this moment I dont hv enough money to buy any but feel free to suggest. Gracias amigos.
My vocab slowly disappear and I told myself that I have to start writing again! Yeah its time. Ok today nothing much to update. During lunch time, I read online newspaper and pretty shocked when I saw news on Citybank Group, resignation of group CEO.It was reported that the day after Citybank announced their quarter result, the CEO stepped down from the throne. Its quite weird plus the quarter result reported a positive and good growth. But according to rumours, the CEO was forced to leave. Even newspaper reported, the relationship between the chairman and the CEO was not in the good condition. Apparently the CEO left the company in a good condition but a part from that, their shares dropped around 90cents due to the news. Pretty bad right?? I was amazed with the CEO by the way. I read his profile and he's a genius! I just cant imagine people with elec eng background can managed big company such as citibank. I wasnt really surprised since he already worked with morgan stanley before joined citi. But impressive. He went to Uni at the age of 16 and obtained master as well as phd at young age. I just ponder now, after this to where actually he's heading to?? I mean which company he would join? Interesting.I have to be alert starting from now on. So many thing happened in one time and to keep track I have to be sensitive to those kind of infos. Ciao bella, bueno noches