Opinion

It would appear financial services are going to play a fundamental part of the next general election with the Conservatives tackling many of the main issues with policy ideas and initiatives being announced during its party conference last week.

Another story of what the banks get up to in this country - from a very personal perspective.

Investment Week Conjecture

Apparently, it is 20 years since I got into financial services journalism. I only know that because a PR reminded me! Actually, it is not something I have been trying to forget, but it does make you wonder where the past 20 years have gone.

I don't know about you, but I find most investment industry events and conferences deadly dull.

The Conference season ends this week with the Conservative party rallying its supporters in Manchester, after Labour and the Liberal Democrats did the same over the previous two weeks.

As we enter Q4 it has been a remarkable period for investment markets, demonstrating how human behaviour more than anything is the main driving force for asset prices rather than true fundamentals.

Many moons ago, I mentioned in this column my leisurely lunch one fine summer's day with Mr Ed Moisson from Lipper, during which we discussed the costs involved with fund management.

A couple of tales again about how rubbish the banks are that should warm the cockles of an adviser's heart.