When you work in New York’s Financial District, like we do, you understand that there are limited options for good lunch spots. While FTF can easily locate a food truck, we find it harder to find a quality restaurant for a client meeting. However, last week that changed when we decided to have a client
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Make Your Nominations for the FTF News Technology Innovation Awards 2012
Nominations are open for the FTF News Technology Innovation Awards 2012. Nominations can be made by any registered subscriber to FTF News (subscription is free). Nominations close on January 31, 2012 and will then be considered by the editorial panel before a final short-list is presented for voting. To make a nomination, please click on
Financial Technology
To RFP or not to RFP, that is the Question – Do a Proof of Concept Instead
Guest Contributor: Berl Kaufman, Principal, Afferent Consulting Services In some cases you are mandated to do RFPs for your product selections. Don’t do RFPs as a reflex action. The RFP is mostly a waste of time. Vendors always lie on RFPs to get high scores and qualify for your short list. The RFP is only
Back-Office
Man-Up Corzine
Dear Jon, Not that my opinion probably matters all that much to you, but I used to think you were a great leader and businessman. I remember when you first ran for NJ Senate, I admired what you had accomplished and thought of you as a true leader. Now, I am sorry to say, my
Guest Blog
Understanding Investor Due Diligence
Guest Contributor: Patrick J. McCurdy, partner and head of capital development at Merlin Securities The investor due diligence process has evolved with the institutionalization of the hedge fund industry. Investment allocations used to be made primarily on the basis of basic performance numbers and the qualitative aspects of a fund: people, process and philosophy. It
Financial Technologies Forum (FTF)
“Go Big or Go Home” in 2012
When I returned to work after the Holidays, I sat down at my desk, pulled out a blank piece of paper and wrote in big letters “Go Big or Go Home” and taped it to the wall in view for me to look at all day, every day. At our internal huddle that morning, I
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Control Optimization Initiative – a Better Way to Manage Risk
Guest Contributor: Alberto Corvo, Managing Principal, Financial Services, eClerx The financial services industry has a history of inadequate controls, which is evidenced by the occasional scandals, rogue traders and meltdowns. The constant change may be one of the reasons the control environment of these organizations doesn’t keep up. Whichever way it is analyzed, the conclusion
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Welcoming in 2012!
It seems that January has indeed arrived! We know that The Bull Run has been quiet over the holidays but we here at FTF are ready to kick off 2012 with a bang! Look out for some great industry discussions and commentary on The Bull Run this year! If you’re interested in contributing to our
Guest Blog
The Mantra of Transparency: Unified Data and Systems for the BD
Guest Contributor: David Fetter, CEO of Quadron Data Solutions Another year is drawing to a close, and when reflecting upon 2011, it’s apparent to everyone that it has been a year of ups and downs. What has 2011 brought to the financial services industry – a mantra of transparency to be delivered through regulation and
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Wall Street’s Naughty and Nice…
We’re continuing the FTF holiday tradition and bringing you our 2011 edition of the Wall Street Naughty and Nice list. This past year there have been quite a few highs and lows within the financial services industry, and we decided to help Santa sort through it all! So, without further, ado, here we go: Nice
