Big Banks shrink staff to enhance obscene profit margins · Monday February 5, 2007 by colin newell
Bank of Montreal, Canada’s fourth- largest bank, plans to cut about 1,000 jobs, or almost 3 percent of its workforce, to reduce costs as profit growth slows.
I hate big banks.
The bank will post a one-time cost of C$88 million ($74.8 million) in the fiscal first quarter to cover the job cuts, the Toronto-based lender said today in a statement. Bank of Montreal reports earnings on March 1.
We owe it to our customers, our employees and our shareholders to have lean, efficient support functions, simplified processes, fewer layers and to eliminate duplication across our enterprise,’‘ Chief Executive Officer Anthony Comper said today in the statement. Comper, 61, is stepping down as CEO in March.
Right. I hate banks.
The job cuts would be the biggest by a Canadian lender since Royal Bank of Canada, the country’s biggest bank, eliminated 1,660 jobs in 2004. A year later, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the No. 5 bank, cut 950 jobs.
Hate banks. hate banks.
Bank of Montreal will cut head office positions and fire support staff who don’t deal directly with customers in cities including Toronto, Montreal and Chicago, spokesman Ralph Marranca said in an interview. Most of the cuts will happen by November.
Reminds me of two experiences with the Bank of Montreal.
BMO closed a branch in the Okanagon region of B.C. and forced thousands of seniors to drive the extra 75 miles (one-way) to the remaining branch in the region.
When asked (by CBC radio), the regional manager of BMO said they closed the branch to better serve the seniors.
I hate banks.
I had a BMO account from the time I was 11 years old… 20+ years in the same location. I had over-draft protection on my account and all my retirement investments with them. When they closed my branch to serve me better, I got a collections notice within 5 days for the 250$ of over-draft on my account.
When the biddie manager of this soon-to-close branch asked why I was pulling all my investments, I replied…
To serve you better!
I hate banks. Hate ‘em.
Downsize me... [1]
Oh Damn, not another hobby... · Wednesday January 24, 2007 by colin newell
There aren’t too many Christmas gifts that make me light up like a…
well, you know.
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law bought me one of these for the holidays.
And I curse their names every hour of every day…
that I am playing with it.
I mean, if you know me, you know that I have one too many hobbies.
One too many.
This one actually takes the cake though. It looks simple enough but it demands 100% of your attention to keep it in the air and out of your hair.
The Micro-Mosquito coaxial helicopter is a lot of fun. There are online forums dedicated to the discussion and dissection of this toy.
Alas, I have almost moved on to this website
located in Canada no less.
I have my eye on a tricked out Nitro Raptor with a Futaba radio, tight damping and all metal swash-plate…
whatever the heck that is…
Gift givers – I curse your name!
Rankin Family live in Victoria - a short concert review · Wednesday January 17, 2007 by colin newell
Ok. I love the Rankin Family. From the moment I saw them on stage in Victoria in the mid-nineties, I knew that the Rankin Family were the real deal.
I bought all the albums. Still play them.
It was with much rejoicing that I had the chance to see them on the first leg of their reunion tour.
Apparently I was not the first in line to buy tickets. I think I waited a week.
As a result, our seats were up in the ceiling somewhere.
No problem. The Royal Theatre in Victoria is designed in such a way that there are no bad seats. It is true. There are none.
This concert was to be stop 3 for the Rankins – Nanaimo was the first. I think they had two gigs up there.
Because of the loss of a sister in Calgary, they attended the funeral and cancelled the first 2 of the concert dates.
Victoria B.C. was stop one for the Rankin’s 22-city tour.
Some details:
Tragedy struck their family a week ago when one of the Rankins died in Calgary. The Rankins are a large family – Raylene, John Morris, Jimmy, Cookie and Heather, began touring together professionally in 1989. But they are 4 of 12 kids. On September 17, 1999, the band officially broke up to pursue their separate careers and lives. One of the anchors of the band, John Morris Rankin, died in a car accident on January 16, 2000.
Anyway – back to the show.
With our luck (of 1500 seats in the Royal Theatre) we were seated directly in front of a row of young, ex-Pat Cape Breton trailer trash – they were pumped, half-drunk and ready to party.
Now, do not get me wrong. I like to party. Really. At concerts, I get crazy.
But correct me if I am wrong, but I think you have to sing and scream when the band is actually playing.
I did turn around and glare a couple of times at Trailer Park Boy behind me after he yelled: “I lav youa Jammmy!” one too many times. These are the worse kinds of concert goers.
Anyway. The Rankins kicked ass. After a slow start (they seemed road weary or grief weary and this was stop #1!) they wound the audience and themselves into a Celtic-Breton frenzy.
They played the new stuff. They played the old stuff. They trotted out some new Rankin talent; John Morris Rankins surviving teenage daughter – a crack step dance and fiddle player. She sang once. It was rough, but the Rankin magic is in her voice and blood. Ah. Just like old times.
Welcome back Rankins!
Comment [2]
More attacks on freedom... · Sunday January 14, 2007 by colin newell
The Conservative government has announced plans to institute a no-fly list to bolster aircraft security.
The Passenger Protect program will require all passengers to show a government-issued ID to board commercial flights by 2007.
Photo left: None other than JetSki riding Stockwell Day who is our trusted Public Safety Minister.
“Recent events such as the alleged terror plot in the United Kingdom highlight the importance of a program like Passenger Protect,” Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said Friday. “We must remember that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism and we must remain vigilant.”
The creation of the “specified persons list” will be made according to guidelines focused on aviation security, and include:
* Individuals who are or have been involved in a terrorist group, and who, it can reasonably be suspected, will endanger the security of any aircraft or the safety of the public, passengers or crew. * Individuals who have been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening crimes against aviation security. * Individuals who have been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening offences.Passengers will need one piece of government-issued photo identification that shows name, date of birth and gender — such as a driver’s licence or a passport — or two pieces of non-photo government ID, with at least one piece showing name, date of birth and gender. link
Why is this happening? Well. America (Right-wing corporate and Christian America) wants it to happen. The Canadian government moves lock-step in whatever whim the American government might be feeling at the time.
Unfortunate enough to end up on the no-fly list by mistake?
You can apply to the Canada Office of Reconsideration
Good God! Does that not sound scary?
It should. The rights and freedoms of all Canadians are under attack.
And the more people that clue into this the better!
Wake up everyone. Here. Have a coffee!
