Archive – Banking & Fintech

Speak English, will travel

This content was published on Mar 18, 2004 During a trip through the German-speaking Bernese Oberland, swissinfo discovered that even the man operating the train is an “engine driver”. The journey begins at Bern’s railway station, now called “Rail City”, and leads to Interlaken, a stronghold of English-speaking tourists. About 60 per cent of all visitors here come from overseas. English is omnipresent…

Kuoni profit boosted by asset sale

This content was published on Mar 18, 2004 The company said bookings were up 15 per cent so far this year, adding to hope that the travel sector may be recovering after a difficult couple of years. “Despite the extraordinary profit (from the business unit sale), I think we have done rather well… I consider the result we show today as a rather…

Tax bill leaves the government short

This content was published on Mar 17, 2004 The inclusion of measures to counter the so-called “tax bracket creep” would reduce overall tax revenue by nearly SFr1 billion. Parliament’s decision will strengthen the government’s case for pushing through tax reforms in May, according to political analyst Georg Lutz. But he says persuading voters to approve the whole package will still be tough. “In…

Swiss indignant over German clampdown on banks

This content was published on Mar 17, 2004 Switzerland’s bankers have rejected Germany’s claims that the restrictions are simply designed to protect consumers. The banking row forms part of a growing list of grievances – cross-border taxation, aircraft noise and tougher border checks – that have strained relations in recent months between Switzerland and its biggest neighbour. Berlin declared last year that foreign…

Bombardier slashes 580 jobs in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 17, 2004 The Canadian plane and train maker said on Wednesday that a total of 580 jobs were to be cut across the country. Around 520 jobs will be lost at Pratteln, as part of a major restructuring programme by the group. A further 60 jobs will be cut elsewhere in Switzerland. The world’s largest train producer,…

One-off charge hits Synthes-Stratec profit

This content was published on Mar 17, 2004 It said profit had been hit by a non-recurring charge of $215 million on research and development related to the acquisition of the Spine Solutions company. Synthes, which makes orthopaedic instruments, implants and surgical power tools, said in statement on Wednesday that its earnings had been hurt by heavy development expenses and selling costs. Total…

Trade ties top agenda in Thailand

This content was published on Mar 17, 2004 During his trip, Deiss plans to hold talks with the Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as visit Swiss firms. Deiss, who is heading a delegation of government and business figures, says he intends to improve the already healthy economic relationship between the two countries. “Trade with Thailand is worth 1.6 billion francs, but…

Swiss Army Knife connects with the future

This content was published on Mar 17, 2004 One of the knife’s two makers has released a version with a memory key that plugs into computers. It will be presented this week at the CeBIT technology fair in Hanover, Germany. The “Memory USB” army knife includes a “flash memory stick”, a piece of technology which has become increasingly popular with computer users over…

VCs back free internet telephony firm

This content was published on Mar 16, 2004 The transaction was co-led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, which has offices in London and Silicon Valley, and the London office of the Geneva-based Index Ventures Other investors include the Silicon Valley firms, Bessemer Venture Partners and Mangrove Capital Partners. Skype, pronounced like “hype”, is headed by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, who created the popular…

Holcim seeks capital for Mexican deal

This content was published on Mar 15, 2004 Holcim said the rights issue would increase its stake in Apasco from 68.9 per cent to 93.4 per cent at a cost of $590.9 million. In a statement from its Zurich headquarters, Holcim said that it was “delighted” that its public tender offer made to Apasco minority shareholders had been widely accepted. Under Holcim’s plans…

Archive – Banking & Fintech

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Archive – Banking & Fintech

More

Speak English, will travel

More

Kuoni profit boosted by asset sale

More

Tax bill leaves the government short

More

Swiss indignant over German clampdown on banks

More

Bombardier slashes 580 jobs in Switzerland

More

One-off charge hits Synthes-Stratec profit

More

Trade ties top agenda in Thailand

More

Swiss Army Knife connects with the future

More

VCs back free internet telephony firm

More

Holcim seeks capital for Mexican deal

Popular Stories

Most Discussed