Monday morning briefing – July 8, 2019
Bitcoin’s volatile June may impede the possibility of an ETF. Funds-of-hedge funds are making a comeback. Ontario to get 50 more cannabis retail stores. 5G technology will enhance digital banking capabilities. And much more in this week’s briefing.
Economic/industry news
The Canadian unemployment rate rose to 5.5% in June: Canada’s jobs market pauses in June after monster start to year
The unemployment rate in the U.S. rose to 3.7% in June: Hiring rebounds as U.S. economy adds 224,000 jobs in June, unemployment rate inched up to 3.7 percent
Global equity issuance slow in the first half of 2019: Global equity issuance dives in the first half, Refinitiv reports
State Street launches ESG money market fund: State Street Global Advisors launches its first ESG money market fund
Christine Lagarde will become president of the ECB: Christine Lagarde: Key issues she must address at the ECB
Will more tariffs come to the EU?: U.S. proposes more tariffs on EU goods in Airbus-Boeing dispute
MSCI plans to add Kuwait to its emerging markets index: MSCI set to classify Kuwait as emerging market, subject to certain conditions
News and notes (U.S.)
Funds-of-hedge funds are making a comeback: They’re baaaaack: The investment that’s making an unlikely comeback
Europe’s interest in alternative investments growing: Interest in alternative investments on the rise in Europe
PE firms looking to raise US$1 trillion in fundraising efforts: Private equity seeks almost $1 trillion globally
Venture capitalists keeping a keen eye on companies that move people and things: Wheeling & dealing: In 2019, VCs can’t stop funding mobility startups
Fixed income ETFs see record inflows in June: Fixed income ETF inflows surpassed $25B during June
Understanding the rules of Reg BI: SEC’s Reg BI adds unexpected fiduciary hurdle for retirement advisors
News and notes (Canada)
Canadian banks meeting global regulatory standards on net stable fund ratio: Reports find Canadian banks meet global standards
Ontario to get 50 more cannabis retail stores: Ontario to issue 50 new cannabis store licences, eight to go to First Nations
Value of Canadian defined benefit pension plans stable in the second quarter: Strong equity market performance helped DB plans in Q2
Project Reconciliation preparing bid for the Trans Mountain pipeline: Indigenous group says Trans Mountain bid could be ready next week
On the pulse – New frontiers in fintech
Using data to drive the personalized customer experience: Digital changes customer engagement playbook for financial institutions
New associations will be important to drive fintech forward: We’re all in this together – The Value of associations in fintech
5G technology will enhance digital banking capabilities: Banking in 5G: Why financial marketers should care (now)
A look at the challenges and opportunities of AI in banking: AI in banking: The pitfalls and opportunities (research paper)
Understanding Intelligent Spend Management: Intelligent Spend Management and the evolution of procurement
Here are 10 payment start-up companies that you need to know about: 10 payments start-ups to watch
NatWest experiments with live chats on mobile, tablet and PC: NatWest trials video banking service for business customers
Online payment startups are focusing on these sectors: What sectors do online payment startups try to target?
Giving businesses unlimited access to their PayPal account: PayPal launches its first UK debit card with unlimited cash back for businesses
Bitcoin’s volatile June may impede the possibility of an ETF: Bitcoin’s wild June is ‘slam dunk’ against crypto ETF approval
High-net-worth topics
Ways business owners can save for retirement: Eight things business owners can do to build up funds for after retirement
Financial planning for families with assets in multiple countries: Cultivating foreign clients
How insurance can mitigate some of the risk for high-net-worth investors: The secret key to protecting your client’s wealth
Polls & surveys – What financials are saying
Professional accountants are bullish on the Canadian economy (CPA): Business leaders feel better about the economy: survey
Canada’s economic growth is dependent on global economic conditions (Russell Investments): Canadian economy not immune to outside forces: report
Why India might be a good source of investment returns (Manulife): Investors chasing higher returns can’t skip India, Manulife says