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Britain’s Disappearing HGV Drivers

ABC Staff
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Britain’s Disappearing HGV Drivers

Now more than ever, British businesses have come to rely on an efficient supply chain. The pandemic may have put a dent in consumer spending, but certain goods are still a necessity.

And what forms the backbone of an efficient supply chain? Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers (HGV) play a pivotal role in the economy and the functioning of society.

HGV training equips aspiring truck drivers with the essential skills and knowledge needed to operate heavy goods vehicles safely and efficiently.

Yet, Britain’s HGV Driver numbers are in decline.

The Crux of the Matter

An aging workforce, low unemployment, and problems attracting skilled younger people to the Heavy-Duty Goods transport (HGV) sector are just some of the factors attributed to the decline in HGV drivers.

The findings published by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), now known as Logistics UK, last year estimates the number of HGV drivers was down by 5% year on year from 2017.

This translates to 59 000 shortages as 64% of storage and transport businesses face severe skills shortages. But it’s not just Britain facing a decline in numbers. The report indicates a 21% HGV driver shortage across Europe.

The Pressure is On

With seasonal demand set to increase over the next two months, fleet managers look set to have their work cut out for them creating a reliable commercial fleet. Time constraints, seasonal pressure, backlogs, and shortage of skilled HGV drivers all add to the pressure.

“A breakdown should be the least of their worries,” says a representative from Fleetcover – the fleet insurance specialists. “We get the tight margins and high turnover, in short, all the dynamics involved in running a logistics business.”

Where to From Here?

Perhaps more tellingly is the age demographics within the HGV industry, where some 60% of drivers are aged 44 and older, with only 19% under the age of 35. Exacerbating the situation is the lack of young people considering HGV driving as a career option to fill the gap by those leaving the industry.

Managing director at Paragon Software Systems, William Salter, asked logistic professionals how best to plug the HGV industry’s skill gaps. And this is what they came up with.

● Address the poor public image of the sector. The industry needs to present itself as innovative and technology-driven to make it more appealing to the younger generation.

● Make logistics financially rewarding. Wages in the logistics industry are simply not good enough to attract younger applicants.

● Create an appealing career path. A framework for the industry needs to be created, which recognises industry standards and qualifications.

● Improve working conditions. Long hours, inflexibility, loneliness, and low pay were all key factors in the decline of ‘new blood’ into the HGV sector. These issues, along with a lack of quality driver facilities, need to be addressed to make the role more appealing to a younger audience. More alarmingly is the stress and risk factors associated with the job.  

● Engagement with the education sector. Engage with Educational facilities to increase the visibility of the range of jobs on offer.

Hope on the Horizon

So, what is the solution? According to industry insiders, increased wages and an overhaul of the HGV industry’s image would go a long way to solving the problem.

Which casino games have the best odds?

Sam Allcock
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Which casino games have the best odds?

Many people play casino games just for fun. But if you are looking to improve your chances of winning, it is a good idea to understand which casino games have the best odds.

Poker

Poker is one of those games where the odds of winning vary dramatically. Unlike some casino games that are based solely on luck, there is an element of skill involved with playing poker. Random cards are dealt, but how you play those cards determines whether you win or lose a hand. So, poker can potentially have excellent odds, but only if your skills are good. If you want to win a casino poker game, you should ensure you brush up your card-playing skills and poker-face before you begin placing stakes. Also, you should play at a table that meets your budget and skill level, so that you do not get bitten by any card sharks. Whether you are playing at a brick-and-mortar casino or an online casino, as long as you are a good poker player, the return to player can be one of the highest of all casino games. After all, every game of poker must have a winner.

Blackjack

Blackjack’s odds are not too dissimilar to poker because you receive random cards and must use a certain amount of skill in choosing whether to stick or not. The skill level is not as high as poker, though. Also, not every game of blackjack has a winner. The object of the game is to beat the dealer by having a hand that comes the closest to 21 without going bust. The dealer relies on luck just as much as the players, so the odds of either the dealer or the player winning are pretty even. Typically, the advantage to the dealer is about 1%, meaning you have a 49% chance of winning.

Slot Games

Slot games can have good odds, as long as you know what to look for. Most slots have a return to player rate of between 92% and 97%. While you cannot be sure of winning, if you look for a slot game with an RTP of 96% or more, it means there is a higher payback percentage, and you have a better chance of winning.

Roulette

The roulette wheel is synonymous with casinos, and the game offers good odds for players. There are several ways to bet on roulette. You can wager on whether the ball will land on red or black, which gives you odds of 50/50. Alternatively, you can lower your odds but potentially increase your pay-out by betting on specific roulette wheel numbers or ranges of numbers. Although you can use elements of skill in deciding which bets to place, the game itself is random and involves an element of luck. So, the odds for winning at roulette are around 50%.

Craps

You play the table game craps with dice. While one person rolls the dice, the other players make bets on the results of the roll. The odds of winning are nearly 50%. During the first roll of the dice, known as the “coming out”, the shooter wins if the dice tally to seven or eleven. If another number is rolled, that number becomes “the point”, and the shooter needs to hit that point before rolling a seven to win. There are numerous types of bets you can make playing craps, but the simplest is choosing whether a shooter will win or lose the roll. By making more specific wagers, your chances of winning drop but the potential pay-out amount increases.

How to Help Family Abroad Prepare for Emergencies

Claire James
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How to Help Family Abroad Prepare for Emergencies

There is no doubting the fact that emergencies can happen to anyone, and they don’t always pick the most convenient time to happen either. For example, what would someone do if they encountered an emergency while they were overseas? Well, for one thing, they would probably need to find some financing in a hurry. Luckily for them, there are many methods for sending money overseas that will serve their purpose well for them, especially if you are concerned about family or friends in India. Here are just a few options to consider:

PayPal

PayPal has to be one of the most popular ways to send money internationally. This system will allow you to send money to over 200 countries with the option of at least 25 different currencies. Indeed, there are even some situations where you could even reload a cell phone for someone overseas as well. Naturally, PayPal isn’t a free service. You should be aware of some of the fees of these types of transfers. When it comes to sending money this way to India, you have several options. You could do a bank deposit with these new PayPal funds simply by knowing your recipient’s bank information and the beauty of this method is that they don’t even need to have a PayPal account to accept the funds. You also can arrange for cash pickup with as low as a $2.99 charge, and they can pick it up at a number of different locations throughout India. If you need to calculate the exchange rate, you can just use Xoom’s Fee Calculator.

Wire Transfer

Another way to send money to India would be through a wire transfer. You can do this in just a few easy steps. First of all, you pick out the wire transfer company you want to use, and then you start your transfer. You can pay for the transfer in USD with a credit card or debit card, or you can even consider online banking to send the money if you want.

Compare your rates. Make sure you are dealing with a company that has solid reviews regarding giving their customers a real and fair mid-market exchange rate. After going through this process, your money should be locally delivered to your recipient in India.

Western Union

Another great way to transfer money to India would have to be through Western Union. This tried-and-true method makes the process fairly easy. All you have to do is simply select the amount. Once you have entered in your desired amount, you will have several options for how to get the money there effectively.

How to Accurately Measure the Impact of PR on Your E-Commerce?

Claire James
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How to Accurately Measure the Impact of PR on Your E-Commerce?

Monitoring your PR performance is the most critical step in measuring how effective your PR strategies are. Measuring your performance requires you to have your business goals in mind because that is the only way to check if the approach you put in place has yielded the desired results.

How can you measure your PR performance?

Through measuring and monitoring your social media platforms

You have been creating lots of content to promote your brand. The main goal for the various communication campaigns was to get your target audience talking about you and the products or services you bring to the table.

That does not end there. You must come back and measure how well received your content was (or not). Was it good enough? Did you connect with your audience? Did it stir up interest in them? Have people been talking? If your content stirs up a conversation, that is a good sign because it means you have grabbed their attention. With a few more cards, you should earn their trust.

The only way to know the impact of your social media PR strategy is by reading the comments of your audience, the number of likes and retweets. All these are a way to measure success or failure in the social media arena.

The traffic on your website

SEO comes in handy. Having all the right keywords positioned correctly on your web page and blog is vital. Your comment section should tell you how you are doing. You might utilize SEO tricks, but if your content is boring you are in for failure.

To understand your performance better, it is essential to look into the demographics in terms of age, gender, location and the device used most in accessing your website. This information will help you confirm which social media platforms add to the traffic. Such tools will help you notice new, returning and existing customers hence making your PR performance crystal clear.

Polling your sample target audience

To measure the impact of Performance PR activity, a market survey comes in handy. To achieve the best results, it is best to survey before and after campaigns. The rationale here is to create awareness and see the perceptions people have of your brand.  

It is vital to conduct the surveys during and after the promotion campaign. By so doing, you will be in a position to check on the impact the campaign had in promoting awareness.

Your backlinks number

As it is, backlinks are the best way to achieve high SEO rankings. They enhance high search engine ranks. With such high ranks, you can rest assured your campaign yielded fruits as more people got a taste of what you can give them. The key thing is to have some relevant and engaging content; otherwise, it might prove difficult to have any backlinks.

Ranking high for transactional keywords

If your keywords don’t rank high, it might affect your website because most of your content will remain inaccessible. It is vital to ensure total and proper usage of keywords because that’s how you increase organic traffic. By continually measuring your keyword rankings, you are able to tell how much traffic your website is going to get based on those keywords’ volumes.

Monitoring the media

It is vital to see how you are doing in the media (on- and offline). It is crucial to know what your target audience thinks of your promotion campaign. By so doing, you will know how your brand is perceived.

To wrap

Your PR impact is vital and must be taken with the seriousness it deserves. By keeping the above strategies in mind, measuring the effect of PR on your e-commerce should be easy.

Garamendi On The Breakup Of BBVA And Sabadell

ABC Staff
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Garamendi On The Breakup Of BBVA And Sabadell

BBVA and Banco Sabadell announced earlier this Friday the breakdown of the negotiations started 11 days ago to merge the two entities . Investors have responded to the news with the massive sale of Sabadell shares, after learning that BBVA’s offer was lower than expected by the Catalan bank.

However, the economic world does not consider the operation lost: the president of the CEOE employer, Antonio Garamendi, trusts that the negotiations will return to good course: “There are courtships that are later resumed,” he said in an interview on TVE.

“It has surprised us all”, recognized the leader of the entrepreneurs. “We were entering the church and we had no wedding. But there are courtships that are later resumed ”, he added.

Garamendi recalled that for the economic world and financial institutions “these mergers are on the right track”, referring to the numerous calls from national and European institutions to reduce the overcapacity of the banking system to create more solid entities.

In October, the president of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, insisted that “greater digitization and consolidation, national or cross-border, would strengthen the banks in the euro zone.”

Weeks before, after knowing the merger negotiations between Bankia and CaixaBank, the Governor of the Bank of Spain, Pablo Hernández de Cos, emphasized the need to reduce the number of entities to face the low profitability of the sector.

The CEOE chairman has avoided speculating on the reasons for the breakdown between Sabadell and BBVA, but he has recalled the importance that shareholders play in these merger processes.

“It seems that it has been due to a problem in the exchange and in the valuation of the shareholders. It is true that, regardless of management, the shareholders are in the bank and they have to be watched over ”.

But the most anticipated response of the day was that of the markets, which inflated the price of the two entities after the start of the negotiations. The Sabadell, which had seen its stock market value skyrocket by 32% in recent days, dropped 18% this Friday after the opening of the Ibex, a fall that moderated throughout the morning until falling around 13 %.

However, BBVA, which had recorded 19% in the same period , has responded well to the news of the suspension of the talks, gaining 2.6% on the Stock Market, ranking as the second fastest growing value in the world. Spanish index.

The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Reyes Maroto, has also spoken, who has indicated that “he could not say” if the breakdown of the talks between BBVA and Sabadell for their merger is “good or bad news”.

But he has insisted on the need for Spain to have a solvent financial system, unlike what happened in the 2008 crisis. “Anything that strengthens the financial system is good.

The more robust the financial system, the better it will be for Spain ”, he told RNE. In any case, Maroto has stressed that the Spanish financial system is “one of the best in the world” and has valued the response and “great responsibility” that banking has shown in the health crisis, by putting itself at the service of society and help save businesses and jobs.

BBVA And Sabadell Break Their Merger Accomodations

ABC Staff
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BBVA And Sabadell Break Their Merger Accomodations

11 days after BBVA and Sabadell announced that they were opening official talks to merge, the two entities have broken the negotiations that were held until the early hours of this Friday.

The reaction of the Stock Exchange has been clear at the opening of the day: the Sabadell has set a first price at 0.33 euros, which represents a fall of 18% while it was inhibited from trading. After starting to fluctuate , it was down 12% .

For their part, BBVA shares started falling, but soon turned green with a rise of 2% , to 3.84 euros.

Without reaching the end of the technical analysis ( due diligence) , Sabadell considered that the price that BBVA was willing to pay did not value the potential of its business and the loss of independence that the sale entailed.

“Banco Sabadell has decided to end these talks as the parties have not reached an agreement on the eventual exchange ratio of the shares of both entities,” as the bank notified the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) this Friday .

For its part, BBVA has also informed the CNMV that “the talks related to a potential merger operation with Banco Sabadell have concluded without an agreement having been reached”, without giving further details.

After these two announcements, which will have deeply displeased supervisors who see mergers as a way to strengthen banks in the face of the crisis, now the key is the reaction of the markets.

The Sabadell has risen 32% since the announcement of the talks, although it started from very low prices. BBVA has risen 19% in this same period.

The valuation differences between the two banks were very relevant. BBVA had planned to make the payment through an exchange of shares, so it is likely that the president of Sabadell, Josep Oliu, would have demanded a vice-presidency and Carlos Torres, the head of BBVA, would have refused.

Financial sources commented this Thursday afternoon on the serious differences and mutual distrust that had arisen in the talks, to the point that they could end in rupture.

Regarding the vice-presidency of Oliu, these sources indicated that Torres did not want to introduce the rival executive due to the uncertainty that exists over the BBVA-Villarejo case . If Torres were to be imputed by the National Court and had to give up the presidency, it could end up in the hands of Oliu.

Sabadell assumes the rupture saying that the bank “will develop a new business plan that will prioritize the domestic market as a formula to increase efficiency in the use of the Group’s capital and resources, thus increasing profitability and creating value for shareholders. ”.

As for BBVA, if Sabadell’s plan did not come out, analysts believe that it could carry out a buyback of its own shares to boost the price, as well as expand its presence in the capital of Garanti, its Turkish subsidiary, of which it controls 40 %. However, this option would increase risk in a very geopolitically unstable region.

The Bank of Spain warned of this danger a few weeks ago, which is why it was more in favor of the merger with Sabadell. It should not be forgotten that the CEO, Onur Genç, is Turkish and held this position at Garanti.

In this return to the origins, Sabadell insists in the note that “without prejudice to the fact that the main axes and objectives of the plan will be made public during the first quarter of 2021, Banco de Sabadell is in a position to anticipate that it will contemplate.

Among other measures, the expansion of the efficiency and transformation program in the retail market ( retail banking) in Spain ―with a neutral impact on capital― and will analyze with its advisors strategic alternatives for creating value with respect to the Group’s international assets, including TSB “.

In an act of realism, Sabadell admits the poor future of TSB, which has had serious computer problems that led to the temporary blocking of accounts. Additionally, UK regulatory requirements have delayed the bank’s return to profits. The market values ​​this entity at zero.

Finally, Sabadell claims to have “a solid franchise in Spain and is the leader in the customer satisfaction index in the SME segment”.

The Catalan entity announces that it will focus “on these segments with the highest added value and profitability” and that it will implement its new plan “improving both its efficiency and the organic generation of capital”. The market will be the one to judge the consequences of this divorce.

Top 5 RV Destinations for Your First RV Adventure

Sam Allcock
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Top 5 RV Destinations for Your First RV Adventure

Traveling via RV is one of the best ways for you to go on a road trip with family and friends. With an RV, you can feel a close intimacy with the places you’ll be staying, not to mention the relaxation you can get from being able to relax while on the road.

However, one of the most overwhelming but exciting parts of planning an RV adventure is deciding where to go. Well, that is if you already have an RV of your own. But if you don’t have one yet but you plan on buying an RV soon, you can visit My Financing USA for an RV loan if you’re interested. After all, you have a lot of places to choose from, and if you can go to every single one of them, you would do it in a heartbeat. But you can’t. That’s why picking places to go can also be stressful.

Lucky for you, we listed the places that we think are worth for you to try and visit on your own during your adventure. Here are some of them.

The Oregon Coast

One of the most popular RV destinations that people tend to go to first is the Oregon Coast. It’s popularity checks out because it indeed is a sight to behold, especially during the sunset. Its location is convenient, too, if you’re planning to the California border. Along the way from the Columbia River, it’s about 362 miles.

On the Oregon Coast, you can watch the puffins go about their daily lives on the rocks along the shores of Cannon Beach and Pacific City. You can also check out several lighthouses that dot the coastline.

US National Parks

If you’re new to RVing, knowing the different US national parks near your area is a good move. Currently, the country has around 58 national parks, which boasts a great selection of parks that gives you an intimate experience with nature and the great outdoors.

Most national parks like Yosemite, Zion, and Yellowstone have a suitable campground in the area. In them, there are public campgrounds that you can share with everyone else. However, if you’re looking for a more private area, there is a private campground as well.

Because of their beautiful campgrounds and probably the limited lodging around the area, national parks are an excellent way to start your RV adventure.

The Florida Keys

If you’re looking to escape the winter, the Florida Keys is your best bet. This place is one of the few places that offers sunshine and warmth all year long and boasts the most breathtaking tropical views and atmosphere.

There are different activities you can participate too, like kayaking, snorkeling, and diving. If you’re looking for parks instead, they have several. A few of these parks are Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park, and Biscayne Park. You don’t have to have each of them too since they can be located pretty quickly since they’re near.

Campgrounds are plenty too so it’ll be easy to find one that you find suitable for you. However, since it’s a popular RV destination, you may also book yourself a spot in the campgrounds to secure one. This is especially true during the summer, where many people will be visiting, resulting in long peak hours that can last for months.

Route 66

Route 66, also called the Mother Road, runs from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. It’s even featured in the novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” written by John Steinback in 1939. Not only that, but it also had a television show centered around Route 66. However, the road was taken out of the US highway system back in 1985 and featured as a tourist destination. Now, it’s divided by various National Scenic Byways.

If you’re planning to have a road trip on this historical road, then be prepared to plan for a long one. There are a lot of tourist spots along Route 66. Several of these are the Santa Monica Pier, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, and the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City.

If you’re looking for a stop, you can see a lot of motels along the way, such as the Wigwam Motel in Arizona. However, if you want to be on a genuine road trip and are planning to stay in a campground instead, you can find RV-friendly stops like St. Louis West/Route 66 KOA.

The Black Hills, South Dakota

The Black Hills Region is one of the most popular RV tourist destinations that everyone wants to go to. The place is RV-friendly, and it’s home to several significant landmarks in the US, such as Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. There are also several National Forest areas in this place, such as Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer State Park, and Devil’s Tower.

If you’re looking for lodging, you can visit some of the small western towns that are nearby in the area. However, if you want to stay in campgrounds, then it’s no problem. The area is large enough for your RV to camp and to explore around the area for as long as you like.

The Great Smoky Mountains

Some people call the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway Part 2. However, that’s far from the truth. Although the Blue Ridge Parkway is excellent, the Great Smoky Mountains also have a lot to offer for people who want to hike and camp in the area. The Great Smoky Mountains National park is big and spans around 816 miles. If you entered from Cherokee, North Carolina, you wouldn’t see the vast majority of the site.

That said, it’s mostly recommended by a lot of people to just come into the other entrance in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, since along the way, you can visit the other tourist spots near the area, such as the Pigeon Forge, Ripley’s Aquarium, and yes, Dolly Parton’s amusement park.

Takeaway

All of the RV tourist destinations mentioned above are great and excellent starting points for your RV adventure. However, if you want to visit all of them at once, you’re free to do so. It’s essential to note that this list is in no way a ranking list since every one of these tourist destinations has its way of welcoming everybody with what they can offer. Happy trip!

Author Bio:

Lauren Cordell is a writer that is adept in writing articles about travelling, the fashion industry, and finance. She’s mostly busy studying about the aforementioned topics and can be seen reading articles about them. Whenever she’s not busy, she browses her social media accounts or read novels. She also walks her dogs when everyday and whenever she feels like it.

Asia has Lessons for America’s Blockchain Sector

Sam Allcock
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Asia has Lessons for America’s Blockchain Sector

Bitcoin is enjoying a surge in value this year due to COVID-19 fears and increase accessibility. The digital currency’s appeal has been boosted by-products like Bitcoin ATMs (BTM) that have been installed across the globe. Yet across the US, blockchain start-ups are struggling under the weight of unclear regulations and are eyeing Asia as an alternative. 

Shifting markets

While stock markets rallied following the news of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine effectiveness and the US election result, markets are still uneasy as Europe and the US continue to be dragged down by spiking infection rates – any vaccine would also be several months away from the final delivery.  

The stay-at-home companies that defined the COVID era are beginning to lose steam as stock market investors shift from tech into more long-term growth options like banks. Meanwhile, the precedent for high returns established after the March rebound has pushed many investors into cryptocurrency markets – they are trading at record volumes. Traders who saw 200%-500% returns in Tesla, Zoom, and Netflix are now turning to Bitcoin and DeFi (decentralized finance) markets to find similar returns.  

It’s easy to see why Bitcoin is a strong contender. Its bull run that began in March has yet to subside and many analysts are expecting it to go beyond its record high of 2017.

It could even challenge gold as a ‘safe-haven’ investment. Just this week, investment bank JP Morgan described Bitcoin’s potential long-term upside as “considerable as it competes more intensely with gold as an ‘alternative’ currency” and that it was becoming an “important component of investors’ universe”.

While Bitcoin has had its fair share of downturns, its growth trajectory is predicted to continue as demand remains unabated.

Underscoring this demand are BTMs that serve the hundreds of millions around the world without sufficient access to a bank account. So popular are these machines now that over 12,000 of them have been installed worldwide as consumers seek more convenient gateways to access cryptocurrency markets. These machines, as convenient as using a traditional ATM, undercut the exorbitant charges and restrictions that plague the traditional banking sector – and allow users to share in Bitcoin’s upside.

In the US, for example, African Americans and Latinos are said to be paying higher fees in the traditional banking system than white Americans. According to research produced by Bankrate, average bank fees were around $5 a month (which includes overdrafts, ATM charges and penalties), yet people of color were paying anywhere between $12 and Hispanics $16 a month on average.

Digital currencies can do much to transform the banking sector for those who have trouble accessing it because of the benefits of their decentralized structure – i.e. minimal fees, security, and equality by design. Advocates of crypto finance keen on promoting the benefits for the underbanked. Ben Weiss, COO of CoinFlip, the world’s largest Bitcoin ATM operator, says his company aims to empower those who have no access to centralized banking systems.

Despite the benefits and potential to democratize finance, US regulators are slow to introduce clear regulation that could allow the crypto industry to flourish.

This reluctance is due, in part, to the negative reputation cryptocurrencies garnered after they were used by criminals on the Silk Road marketplace, the Darknet, and other platforms that allowed the financing of terrorists, drugs, and money laundering.  

With its hesitancy over creating a crypto-friendly environment, America runs the risk of being left behind. Some Asian countries have noticed the benefits and have, in turn, established clear regulations that have allowed the industry to flourish.

Singapore, for example, appears to have struck a regulatory balance that will keep illicit entities in check while allowing legitimate operators to conduct their business. In January, it introduced the Payment Services Act 2019 (PSA) covering all crypto businesses under AML (anti-money laundering) and CTF (counterterrorist) rules.

Even before it introduced regulation it always kept a keen eye on blockchain business and crypto activity.

The country is now considered to be in a good position to lead crypto growth globally as its regulatory stance, along with its reputation as a financial hub, is set to attract more start-ups and exchanges.

Other Asian countries have made great strides too. South Korea is considered to have one of the most comprehensive cryptocurrency laws in the world. In March, it passed a bill to regulate cryptocurrency and exchanges. Two years ago – to prevent money laundering and other criminal activities – the country introduced the ‘Real Name System’, which banned the use of anonymous bank accounts.

In Japan, exchanges and operators must get a regulatory license. Japan currently has 23 FSA (Financial Services Agency) approved exchanges and its rules have prompted an exodus of unlicensed exchanges.

Recently, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced the regulations of crypto trading platforms operating in the region. Some of the world’s largest exchanges operate in Hong Kong.

While Asia is steaming ahead some US blockchain firms, such as CoinFlip, are keen on seeing similar progress on US soil and are advocating for a more business-friendly environment.  

Just recently, Weiss and the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition gave their backing to legislation in California that would set up the state as a cryptocurrency hub. Weiss has also played a role in progressive legislation in New Jersey.

So, what can the US do? To take back some control and compete with Asia, the US must establish clear regulations that do not restrict innovation. Regulations must also provide clarity so businesses can operate stateside with confidence.

As America ponders its options, its innovators and job seekers end up losing out. Weiss states “regulations in the US are required not just to protect consumers, but to spur innovation as several institutional and retail investors realize the risk of not having some Bitcoin in their balance sheets.”

America has typically been the jurisdiction of choice for setting up large multinational tech companies. But this is about to change – the next major ‘Apple’ or ‘Amazon’ will establish its roots in Asia instead.

If the US continues to delay the creation of a crypto-friendly environment it stands to lose out on major talent and investment potential – if it hasn’t done so already. 

ECB Is Inclined To Lift Veto On Bank Dividends

ABC Staff
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ECB Is Inclined To Lift Veto On Bank Dividends

The European Central Bank could lift the veto on banking dividends next year if banks’ balance sheets are strong enough to overcome the coronavirus pandemic .

BBVA, like Santander. Joins the dividend car and plans to improve results

The final decision will depend on how conservative the banks’ internal models and their provisioning are, in addition to the ECB’s vision of the trajectory of its capital, according to the entity’s member, Yves Mersch , in an interview. with the ‘Financial Times’.

The decision is important for the two giants of Spanish banking. A few months ago, Santander became the first major bank to announce the return of dividends as soon as the ECB allowed, and BBVA joined the bandwagon a few days later.

The ECB acknowledges that euro zone banks have faced the pandemic with a stronger capital position than in the 2008 crisis. However, Mersch points out that it would be inconsistent for them to take advantage of relief measures deployed by regulators to pay dividends .

It will be very difficult to maintain the veto on dividends beyond this year, Mersch acknowledged. It is a decision that creates legal uncertainty.

However, the ECB will look closely at the circumstances in which the return to the dividend occurs and will be very conservative in relation to the resumption of payments compared to the amount they had before the crisis.

The ECB recognizes that the dividend veto creates legal uncertainty and will lift it if balance sheets are strong.

As soon as the pandemic broke out, the ECB asked the banks not to pay dividends and to concentrate on reinforcing their capital to face the crisis in better conditions. After the summer, the ECB began to send signals about a possible withdrawal of the veto on dividends.

With interest rates at historic lows, margins on the decline and non-performing loans on the rise, the regulator’s decision was a heavy burden for financial institutions.

In the third quarter results it was already possible to verify the significant effort made by the banks to reinforce their capital levels and increase their provisions. In short, the vast majority did their homework. Yet another argument for the ECB to lift the veto.

For Spanish financial institutions, the return of dividends could be an important catalyst, which would add to the process of sectoral consolidation opened after the merger of Caixabank and Bankia. The punishment has been very harsh. The two giants, Santader and BBVA, reached their two-decade lows.

Five Tips to Choose the Best Claims Denial Management Comprehensive Solution

Sam Allcock
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Five Tips to Choose the Best Claims Denial Management Comprehensive Solution

Claims denial management solutions have positioned itself as a crucial element of the healthcare industry and a must-to-have solution. The strategized end-to-end denial management services with root cause analysis is proved to reduce the denied claims rate and increase the claims settlement. Most importantly, it serves as a crucial element to ensure steady cash flow for operational efficiency and revenue cycle management.

Claims Denial Management Process

The key is lower claims denial ratio and improving the acceptance and recovery of claim value through analysis and review.

The healthcare industry, in recent years, has witnessed a huge adoption of outsourced solution/ in-house software deployments. Similarly, the claim denial section has also been revamped. However, with umpteen number of service providers and profuse product availability, the final decision-making regarding the best solution is difficult.

This blog gives an insight into the features that one should look in for choosing the best claims denial management solution.

Parameters Governing the Best Claims Denial Management solution:

  • Delivery of cost and value propositions – The claims denial management solution should be able to deliver precise identification of quantitative characteristics of denied claims along with root cause analysis. The solution should be able to import ERNs manually or electronically, automatic email reporting, and quality audits, as well. Overall, the solution should improve the cash-inflow and reduce the cost of managing and administering the denied claims.
  • A simplified overview with categorized denials– Keeping in mind the complexity of claims management, the claims denial management solution should offer simplified segregation. Classification of denials based on distinguishing factors like source, department, the reason for denial, date, geography, etc. streamlines the process. The solution should also track the common denial errors like name spell errors, pre-existing conditions, accidental details, among others.
  • Real-time claims management – In the present digitalized world, the claims denial management solutions need to act on a real-time basis. It has become critical to gain a competitive edge with real-time claims monitoring and resolution of petty errors.
  • Robust rule engine for facilitating process – The claims denial management solution should have a well-defined rule engine to track payer-specific regulations for claims payment, trend analysis, and denial activity identification. This sophisticated technical system can immensely help in defining the claims management for each user base and automatically populate current rules over the entire network. These search engines also facilitate the creation of intuitive analyzed reports for unpublished rules and recommend fixation of denied claims appropriately.
  • Analytical edge – Once the rule engine can track the issue and generate trends, the analytical edge is gained. Post this, the analysis should form the base for corrective action plans and prevent future denials. The claims denial management solution should be able to uncover issues, reduce denials, increase the quantum of claim denials, and efficiently submit the clean reports for acceptance and settlement.

Conclusion:

Overall, the chosen claims denial management solution should work on the three components of data capture: denial analysis, reporting, and process redesign. With effective implantation, the solution adds value to the businesses’ bottom line and creates holistic growth acceleration.

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