Study Group: Experts on Money Transfer from the US to the Mexico Corridor

GLG News^SM Analyses by this Study Group's Leading Experts(?)

The 5Cs of Credit, P2P Lending, Social Lending, Self-Directed Lending

November 11, 2009

Analysis by:Ronald Ingram, Director of Product Management,

Analysis of:BlackRock's Fink: Forget 'Bubble' | online.wsj.com

Laurence Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc. in response to questions about bank failures and economic conditions suggested today that; “…the financial system needs to be a lot more responsive to society and make sure this doesn't happen again. Risk has to be a lot more transparent to investors. I think that is happening."; and, “the financial system needs change, including increased disclosure, more derivatives trading on exchanges and regulatory change…". But what about the 5Cs of credit?

Financial Services Innovation and New Credit Sources Impeded by Regulation in the US

April 5, 2009

Analysis by:Ronald Ingram, Director of Product Management,

Analysis of:Where Credit Still Flows | www.forbes.com

Demand for credit has never been stronger. With government support P2P or "Social Lending" has the potential to improve the efficiency of credit markets and demonstrate US leadership in financial services innovation. The US is behind the curve in P2P lending innovation and losing ground due to the distraction and high cost of regulatory compliance. At a time when billions are being pumped into ailing banks government needs to find a way to encourage social lending.   Improved regulation may unlock a wave of new credit options and provide economic stimulus at the grass root level. Conceptually Social Lending and P2P financial models makes sense for consumers, business and the greater economic good of nations;  however, the effort to wedge P2P loan models into existing regulatory frameworks continues to impede American financial innovation.

World's Largest Payment Processor First Data Acquires InComm - Valuation Trend Implications for Global Payment Systems GPN, MV, V, MA and TSS and hundreds of smaller payment technology players

May 2, 2008

Analysis by:Ronald Ingram, Director of Product Management,

Analysis of:First Data Gets Major Retail Prepaid Distribution with InComm Deal | www.digitaltransactions.net

Visa's IPO was the largest in history and payment companies like Global Payment Sytems (GPN) and First Data are rising along with the tide. FDC’s choice of Incomm is likely a positive indicator of things to come. Who is the next Incomm? How will the Incomm acquisition affect the valuation of payment card processors, card acquirers, issuers, closed loop and open loop gift, debit, credit and General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) prepaid card plays? undefined undefined

Depositor Panic Triggers Run on UK Bank, Over Leveraged Banks at Risk

September 17, 2007

Analysis by:Ronald Ingram, Director of Product Management,

Analysis of:Police called to break-up Northern Rock panic queues as customers withdraw millions | www.thisislondon.co.uk

Police were called to manage crowds in the UK this morning as depositors lost confidence in Northern Rock and attempted to withdaw funds en masse. Depositor concerns are believed to relate to weak loan to deposit ratios and fears about exposure to subprime mortgages. Banks mentioned among the most highly levered include Northern Rock, Alliance and Leicester, HBoS and Bradford and Bingley. Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotlad, Barclays and HSBC are shown to be in a much better position. If concerns escalate to panic this will seriously impair money supply and weaken the economy of the UK with potential spill over into other markets if the panic spreads.

Western Union: Threat of New Entrants and Technology Means More Turbulence Ahead

August 1, 2007

Analysis by:Ronald Ingram, Director of Product Management,

Analysis of:Western Union Drops After Verizon Announces Wireless Payments and Transfers | biz.yahoo.com

In this article Obopay is credited for impacting Western Union's share price. Obopay is one of many newer less expensive means of transferring funds domestically or internationally. Other emerging competitors spanning email/computer money transfer, mobile and ACH based services include: Xoom; Ikobo; Coinstar (GroupEx Financial Corp.) and, Paypal. The implication is that Western Union may be in danger of losing its core competitive advantage due to the ubiquity of potentially realtime very inexpensive international electronic network connectivity. Whether this threat is real or perceived it will have an impact on WU's valuation. If the threat is not real the impact will be short term. If it is real current declines may be an early indicator of a longer term trend.

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