Archive for the ‘technology’ Category

Obama has not been able to preserve the Wall Street panic

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

At the opening of Wall Street, U.S. indices posted immediately red (around 3%). And losses have widened throughout the session. Accentuating even further their descent, the indices have hurt Barack Obama's speech, who spoke to 20 hours Paris time, the Nasdaq has lost more than 6.5% shortly after the speech. And bad mood has not dimmed until the closing bell on the contrary, the end of the session was sprotive. Finally, the Dow Jones appears falling from 5.55% to 10,809.85 points. This is the first time since October that the index feature finishes below 11,000 points, its worst day in percentage terms since December 2008, a dark period for the financial sector.

The Nasdaq, even punished, won 6.90% to 2357.69 points, while the S & P tumbles 6.66% to 1119.46 points.On Monday, European markets have dropped out late in the session, while the Asian markets, have also, finished the day on heavy folds.

When Barack Obama spoke in an attempt to reassure the markets, investors do not stop selling. Worse, they pressed the pedal and drop is even more markets. "The United States still deserve note 'AAA'," said Monday night during a speech Barack Obama, on the downgrade of U.S. debt Friday by the rating agency Standard and Poor's. The U.S. president also defended the credit of the United States but acknowledged a deficit problem. Barack Obama, however, that the economic challenge was surmountable but require political will.

Nothing to do."The deterioration in the rating of the United States is clearly the catalyst for the drop in markets today, but is not the reason, according to Michael Sheldon, chief strategy officer at RDM Financial. Degradation is simply evidence that the U.S. has problems. "

Gold still a step higher, oil falls below $ 82

Witness the panic in the markets, gold has posted yet another record high and rose 4.25% to 1722 dollars an ounce at 20:30, before returning to 1717 dollars to 22 hours. Oil, however, has dropped by more than 6% Monday in New York, their lowest levels since November.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for September delivery finished the session at 81.31 dollars, down 5.57 dollars or 6.4% on Friday.

Paradoxically, U.S. bond rates continue to decline, those same 10 years falling by 8.5% melting at 2.339% against 2.558% Friday. Good to 30 years returned to 3.663% against 3.823%. However, after degradation much faster than expected by Standard & Poor's sovereign rating of the United States, which had never been subjected to such a penalty could have been expected to climb pay day loans. Sign that investors still believe that the U.S. still refer to the bond market.

Moody's said Monday it could, too, by 2013 reduce the debt rating of the United States if the fiscal and economic outlook deteriorated sharply.But she considers it possible in the meantime a new agreement in Washington to reduce the deficit.

Menu macro loaded, with the FOMC in dish

This week, the lower macroeconomic indicator to take the pulse of a threatened U.S. growth will be expected to turn to investors.

From Tuesday, the productivity of U.S. companies in the second quarter and will be scrutinized closely. The risk is to see it getting more than expected, resulting in a logical breakdown of the job. Consumer confidence is also on the menu. But the final communique of the Monetary Policy Committee of the U.S. Federal Reserve (FOMC), from that Tuesday night will go to the most crucial.

Analysts and investors are wondering already if further monetary easing, (3 or quantitative easing "EQ3") can get out.Unless it is an aid to banks, which could begin to experience problems of interbank liquidity, which is preferred. "In all cases, the reaction of short-term market is very uncertain …" says it does at Aurel BGC.

Friday, retail sales will be the second major economic meeting a week at high risk on financial markets worldwide. "The sales figures published by the values ​​of the S & P 500 were clearly disappointing July, underline in this respect analysts Aurel BGC. But the report shows significant employment job creation in the distribution. A figure that looks very uncertain. "The trade balance in June should also be well attended.

Bank of America falls 20%

Meanwhile, the business side, the publications of interim results are less numerous and can only remember very little attention to markets, obsessed by the European and U.S. sovereign debt. Walt Disney reveals in particular accounts on Tuesday, ahead of Cisco in the matter and News Corp (Wednesday) and Nordstrom, Sara Lee, and Kohls (Thursday), and finally JC Penney (Friday).

American International Group (AIG: -9.92% to 22.61 dollars) continues Bank of America (-20.07% to 6.53 dollars), calling him more than $ 10 billion (7 billion euros) losses related to mortgages, it said in the text of the complaint.According to this document, which Reuters obtained a copy, AIG believes it was misled by the bank about securities backed by mortgages, which caused losses. The insurer wants to sue Bank of America to the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Manhattan.

The Cac 40 worried about global growth

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

After losing more than 8% over the last seven meetings, the CAC 40 is on track to record an eighth consecutive day of decline. The stock market opened down 1.16% at 3473.36 points, reaching levels not seen since August 2010.

On other European financial centers, the Footsie-100 from the London Stock Exchange 1.50% to 5632.57 loose points, the DAX 30 Frankfurt Stock Exchange lost 1.66% to 6684.24 points, the FTSE MIB the Milan Stock Exchange drops 2.43% to 16,852.90 points, the Ibex 35 of the Madrid Stock Exchange gives 0.90% to 9032 points, the PSI 20 of the Lisbon Stock Exchange was down 0.86% to 6569, 24 points.

Juncker meets with Italian Minister of Finance

The European sovereign debt and U.S. continue to weigh heavily on the trend. Yield spreads between bonds to ten years Spanish and Italian over German bonds widen.They stood at 402 basis points respectively (13 bps) and 386 basis points (12 bps). Italy and Spain are again under pressure from the markets fear a contagion of debt. Their governments are mobilizing to stem the panic even if Brussels has ruled out any discussion of a bailout for those countries. The Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti talks in Luxembourg on Wednesday with the leader of the euro zone, Jean-Claude Juncker.

China increasingly perplexed vis-à-vis the dollar

Investors also remain worried about the strength of U.S. growth. And, although the Senate has ratified Tuesday the plan to raise the debt ceiling. Insufficient agreement by Moody's which could lower the rating of the country.The closing down sharply on Wall Street Tuesday night also confirms the markets in their choice to continue to withdraw.

China, for its part welcomed the adoption of very hard this plan. Beijing said it would continue to limit its dependence on the dollar, whereas the U.S. has failed to defuse "the bomb of debt." The rating agency Dagong China in the wake downgraded American. Wednesday morning, Asian stock markets, with the exception of Shanghai, changing all down sharply.

Eurozone: activity in services slows further

On the macroeconomic front, the growth of activity in the services sector continued to slow in July to register their slowest pace since March 2010. The PMI index reached 54.2 against 56.1 in June.

The same goes for the euro area and for Germany: the composite index stood at 52.5 against 56.3 respectively in June and 51.1 against 53.3 in June.

For the euro area, growth in manufacturing in July (10:00) and numbers of retail in June (11:00) are also scheduled.

In the U.S., investors will also pay attention to employment figures in the private sector in July (2:15 p.m.), the industrial orders in June (16 hours), the ISM services in the month July (16 hours) and weekly inventory of crude oil (16.30).

Bic flies, Societe Generale sinks

Air France-KLM: -2.40% to 7.64 euros

The airline plans to delays or cancellations of flights, from Paris, following a strike by technicians responsible for maintenance of its aircraft.

Total: -1.15% to 36.37 euros

The oil company and its CEO Christophe de Margerie were returned to correctional late July for "active corruption" in the investigation into the UN program "Oil against food" in Saddam Hussein's Iraq from 1996 to 2003 officials said a judicial source.

Danone: -0.54% to 49.24 euros

The dairy group has unveiled a proposed acquisition of 250 million euros in nutrition in India to expand into the Indian markets for infant nutrition and medical purposes.

Societe Generale: -5.41% to 30.74 euros

The bank chaired by Frédéric Oudéa posted net income down 31% to 747 million because of writedowns on loans Greek past.Greece forced Societe Generale has given up its goal of net profit of 6 billion euros in 2012.

Crédit Agricole: -2.38% to 7.80 euros

The bank said it had sold its commercial finance Eurofactor in Britain to GE Capital.

Suez Environnement: -0.48% to 12.52 euros

The group specializes in water management and waste released on Wednesday a net profit down 43% to 221 million euros in the first half. Suez Environnement, however, reaffirmed its financial targets for 2011-2013.

Bic: 3.89% to 63.89 euros

Bic raised its growth target for the division of pens, lighters and disposable razors, to "greater than 5%" against up to 5%.Instead, the group anticipates a decline of about 10% growth for its advertising and promotional products division against 5% previously.

Hermes: -1.77% to 239.30 euros

The Association for the Defence of Minority Shareholders (Adam) wonders why the saddle spends as much to buy back its own shares, whose price has reached a new record this week, said Tuesday its president Colette Neuville.

Renault: -2.01% to 34.65 euros, Peugeot: -4.02% to 23.3 euros

American manufacturers have announced their sales figures on Tuesday night. Chrysler reported a 20% increase in sales of new cars in the U.S. in July, while Ford saw its own increase by 9%.

Accor: -1.53% to 28.38 euros

Accor announced the signing of the sale of catering group Lenôtre Sodexo following the favorable opinion of the works councils of both groups.

After-hours trading, Vilmorin and Cegedim must publish their annual turnover for the first and second quarters respectively.

Veolia will not achieve its annual targets

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Veolia Environnement title should suffer this morning at the opening of the Paris Bourse. In full-season publications, investors thought instead to have their eyes on the accounts of the CAC 40 large, but the specialist environmental services announced this morning in a statement it would not hold its 2011 goal of growth in net profit, due to provisions and write-downs that he will in its half year (ended June 30, 2011) to about 800 million euros.An unexpected result of avertisssement should not help support the Paris Stock Exchange, expected back in the red this morning.

Engaged in a process of "refocusing its operations," Veolia has in fact has indeed increased the sales and partnerships since the beginning of the year, more than 1 billion euros of capital gains generated over 400 million under discontinued operations. However, the group of Antoine Frérot wants to go further, and believes that in Southern Europe, North Africa and the United States "based on the latest developments in operations", Veolia Environnement decided to launch new restructuring actions, redeployment and adjustment of activities in scope.

Confirmation of organic growth target

Hence the revised forecast recorded in the accounts payday advance lenders.Beyond the revision of the forecasts on net income, management expects an adjusted operating income excluding Veolia / Transdev (transport sector) "slightly lower at constant exchange rates" over one year against a growth of 4 to 8% previously announced. The only consolation, however, should not that bring smiles to the market, "the goals of organic growth, cost reduction of 250 million euros on sales of 1.3 billion euros and free cash flow positive after dividend payments are confirmed, "says Veolia.

No details yet on the new estimated net income, but Veolia, which will detail its half-year Thursday, August 4, should be a strong values ​​followed this Friday and next week. "Veolia Environnement August 4 detail the steps to refocus and improve profitability decided" also stipulates the release.Note that these results for the first six months of the year should also reflect the impact of lower volumes of waste treated during the crisis.

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Asia market falls into the red

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Earlier this week in the red for the Asian markets. While the euro area has managed to agree on a bailout of Greece, the markets are now focusing on the United States where members of Congress have tried again Sunday to reach an agreement on raising the ceiling debt, but without success. As discussions get bogged down, operators are looming deterioration of the U.S. debt. A nightmare scenario envisioned by the markets to nine days of the deadline mentioned by the Treasury before a default.

At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei, which started on a decline of 0.51%, has cut its losses during the meeting. An hour of closing, he gave up 0.79% at 10,052 points. The market was particularly weighed down by further appreciation of the yen against the greenback. In morning trading, the dollar is worth 78.35 yen against 78.47 Friday.Export values ​​suffer, just like Sony (-2.05%), Honda Motor (-0.93%) and Toyota (-1.05%).

The concerns are the same in the rest of the region. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai respectively lost 0.79% and 2.10%. In Hong Kong, the banking sector is battered. HSBC 0.77% loose. In Korea, the Kospi was down 0.81% while in Australia, the S & P gives up 1.48%. Only the Indian Sensex manages to remain in the green, up 0.13%.

Oil down

Oil prices were also down on their Monday in electronic trading in Asia, the market worried about the lack of agreement in the United States on raising the debt ceiling.

In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for August delivery lost 1.08 dollars to 98.79 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery lost 60 cents to 118.07 dollars.

Greece threatens to set aside at Air France

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Much bagaille should be avoided. While seven union stewards and hostesses of Air France had filed a strike notice for the next weekend (July 29 to August 1), the airline has come this Saturday morning to sign the minutes of end of conflict with union representatives. What not to many flight cancellations in the great cross-driven summer from July to August, and escape the nightmare scenario met in mid-July by the customers of Air Algeria. The Algerian company was also affected by a strike of its crews, resulting in the virtual paralysis of European flights to the country.

Whereas yesterday, the agreement has been finally found Saturday afternoon between the airline and the Inter (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, Unac, NPNC and UNSA), resulting in the lifting of the strike notice filed Monday.Only Southern Air has so far not given its approval. The seven organizations representing the commercial crews (PNC) called for the opening of negotiations on the organization of work, especially in the bases in the provinces, but also the medium-haul and long haul. This is now done, the group of Pierre-Henri Gourgeon has agreed to reopen discussions on the new rules of work (rest, compensation) provided to counter competition from low cost carriers.

Reopen negotiations next week

On this point, the flight attendants are opposed to such requirements in the new provincial bases (Marseille and Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux) and denounce the proposed removal of a sailing aboard the Airbus A319.They are supported in their claims by two minority unions of pilots (SPAF and Alter) who in turn refused to lift their notice for the next weekend. "The company has agreed to supply four A319 in the PNC until September 15," said Philippe Sport at UNSA. If it is impossible to have this number, the flight attendants should receive compensation (rest or premium). For its part, Air France said that the continuation of strike notice SPAF and Alter would have no significant impact on traffic. The reopening of negotiations with the flight crew should take place in the course of next week.

Still, the difficulties are not entirely discarded the French company, far from it. Management must also deal with Algeria-leAir SNPL resumption of talks, the union super majority in pilots.While the SNPL signed to 54% the proposed new work organization. But this time, the battle moves to the front of pensions. The powerful union remains opposed to the proposed reform of the pension fund additional pilots. Where a notice of strike filed this time from August 5 to 8, another busy weekend on the front of air traffic and going on holiday.

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Yahoo upgrades its search engine

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Google's competitors do not want to admit defeat. Facing the giant of online search, which controls 85% of the world, his followers rely on innovation and diversification of uses to snatch half points of market share.

In the summer of 2009, Yahoo and Microsoft and had forged an alliance in online search, the first confident marketing and PPC management to the second search engine. Six months after the agreement, Yahoo had enlisted the services of Shashi Seth, a deserter from Google and AOL, as vice president in charge of innovation search engine Yahoo.

"We launched more innovations and new products over the last 18 months than in the past five years, says Shashi Seth Le Figaro. We have succeeded in increasing the number of searches per session and attracted new users. "A success that Yahoo has replicated several major markets, including France, this fall.

Additional income

By giving Microsoft the technical management of its search engine, Yahoo has indeed been able to free up resources to improve its offer vis-à-vis the consumer. "Our strategy is based on three things: first, we build a search engine that provides answers, not just links, details Shashi Seth. Next, we broaden the horizon of research to not only find information for the user but also enable it to act on it, and finally, we focus on the mobile. "

In March, Yahoo has launched Instant Search in the U.S., which can provide results before they have finished typing the question (Direct Search).To be comprehensive, the motor adds to the Yahoo Web pages from the contents of its information categories (sports, finance, local information …). The group also launched an Internet search engine applications which sends its mobile application unearthed from his computer. Finally, Yahoo is working on customizing: eventually, the engine could explore Facebook and e-mail users, whose data are compiled in an index of private content to customize the search results. "Our role is to help users find information wherever it is. We seek to expand the sources of information in a neutral way, "says the boss of innovation Yahoo Search.

These innovations do not only attract users. They also result in additional income."We focus on user experience: if it is satisfied, he returns, will do more searches and clicks on ads more, analysis Shashi Seth. How to monetize that content also changes: before, they sold mostly text links, now it sells more advertising graphics (display) on the search engine. " A format that sells more expensive than sponsored links.

The French trade deficit hits new record

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

On the international trade front, France patina. For the second time in two months, the trade deficit hit a bad record in May, -7.422 billion euros, according to figures released Thursday by the Customs. Year over year, he moved to -63.418 billion euros, against -51.558 billion in 2010.

The poor sales in May due in large part by higher energy bills in France, reflecting a rebound in imports of natural hydrocarbons. Imports, burdened by this trend, amounting to 41.601 billion euros in May, up 2.9% over three months. This figure was moderated by the slowdown of industrial imports.This, "due to lower aircraft and naval acquisitions and a decline in purchases of electronic equipment and pharmaceuticals, 'the customs.

At the same time, "industrial exports sag again," they note. Result, exports grew by only 0.9% over the last three months to reach 34.179 billion euros in May "The persistent decline in transport equipment (aircraft in May, car in April) weighs on the trend," within Customs.

"Aérodépendance"

Important position in sales abroad, but very volatile, aviation fell 6.2% over the month."We had one the last two months show some" aérodépendance "of France, aerospace accounts for more than 10% of French exports and any slowdown in performance has a very significant effect on the external accounts of country, "Analysis Alberto Balboni, an economist at Xerfi.

"The weakness also dominates," adds customs. To make matters worse, military exports shrink to 100 million euros. "Exports, unlike imports, have not regained their pre-crisis level (they are still below their values ​​of mid-2008), continues Alberto Balboni.More worryingly, France is among the major industrialized economies (excluding Japan), which recorded the lowest export growth after the trough of the crisis. "

Dynamism of Germany

Only exceptions to this gloomy picture, agricultural exports go, and auto sales. "Sales at their highest level since the crisis, particularly to improve the major partners of the European Union," according to customs.

France breaks the limits in general thanks to the dynamism of its European neighbors, including Belgium and especially Germany. Customs also stressed that "sales to Africa, however, are well oriented (automotive and aerospace, cereals, refined oil), like those in the Near and Middle East (aircraft)".In contrast, Asian economies, exports that had supported earlier this year, marking time.

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2011 a good year for the use of frames

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

The Director General of the Association for the use of frameworks (APEC), Jacky Chatelain, a smile: "2011 will be a very good year for the recruitment of executives," said he. It will be even better than expected. Tuesday during the presentation of its traditional mid-point year, his organization has substantially revised its statistics on the rise, according to his calculations, 194,000 cadres would be hired this year, against 181,000 originally announced in February as part of the APEC business panel 2011.

These figures confirm the trends optimistic in recent months. The latest indicator Apec published in May, the number of jobs grew by 70% year on year, driven by services, led by computer functions and research and development.In addition, mobility management, reflecting a renewed confidence, has also increased from 5% in 2009 to 7% in 2010.

The reasons for this dynamism? A greater investment in the first half of 2011, from 1.9% earlier this year to 3.8%. "For three years, we have established a strong link between investment and employment," said Jacky Chatelain. On the basis of a model by connecting the executive search, investment and growth, APEC has also made a forecast of recruitment to five years.

New legislation

With an investment of 3% per year, it expects an increase in employment context, not only in the second half of 2011, but over the next four years."However, investment has not recovered its pre-2000 levels," notes the director general of APEC, citing "a problem of competitiveness of the French economy, a profitability that is struggling to recover , difficult access to credit and public investment that does not play a role. " In this context, recruitment is expected to slow over the years. According to the study of Apec, they increase by 18% in 2011 compared to 2010, then increase by 8% in 2012, 5% in 2013, 6% in 2014, and begin to decline by 1% in 2015 to be at 232,100 hires.

The year 2015 was "marked a plateau for hiring managers in a market that lacks strong enough levers," says Apec.According to Jacky Chatelain, public policy must "be sensitive to investment."

In developing this scenario, APEC has also included new legislation on retirement and senior employment, which, combined with good market conditions of employment context, would encourage more employees working from more later. Thus, the proportion of managers employed at the time of retirement may remain stable at 69% over the period.

Towards a tax on financial transactions?

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

A further step for the tax on financial transactions tax known as "Tobin". The European Commission will propose its creation as part of its next Buget for the period 2014-2020. She hopes to raise up to 50 billion euros per year, according to European sources cited by Reuters.

Another major proposal for the new budget: funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) would be frozen at their current level of 370 billion euros, the sources said.Taking into account inflation and the general evolution of European finance, this means that the share of the CAP in the budget of the European Union (EU) will naturally decrease.

Taken up by several Member States since the crisis, including Nicolas Sarkozy, the idea of ​​tax on financial transactions developed by the Nobel Prize in economics James Tobin is considered a credible solution to help poor countries fight against global climatique.Son rate should be moderate, at 0.05%.

"The EU as a first step"

Ten days ago, the Commission President José Manuel Barroso had already discussed the proposed tax on financial transactions in a letter to EU leaders. "The Commission completes its impact and present a formal legislative proposal after the summer," wrote José Manuel Barroso.

"Our analysis shows that there is a strong case to decide whether a tax in the financial sector in the EU as a first step," he said, assuring that the Commission will "in parallel, continue to work for a global agreement on a tax on financial transactions. "

Supported by the Franco-German Cup, the tax "Tobin" has been a joint proposal of the French Socialist Party and the German SPD in their respective parliaments.The resolution was adopted in mid-June by the French deputies but less successful in the Bundestag, where she was referred to committee.

According to the French deputies, the EU legislative proposal should include "a tax on all financial transactions of 0.05%", including all stock exchange transactions and non-stock, securities, bonds and derivatives, as well as all transactions in the foreign exchange market to the tax base and revenue allocation to each of the national budget. "

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The largest banks will boost their capital

Saturday, June 25th, 2011

International financial authorities are preparing to endorse the creation of a "club" of the world's largest banks. Thirty institutions will thus be subject to particularly stringent constraints so that they are even better than the rest of the sector, protected in a crisis.

The most technical work in progress is expected to close today by the Basel Committee, the headquarters of the Bank for International Settlements. Saturday, it is the central bank governors and other officials of banking supervision that could endorse their conclusions.

Engaged for over a year, negotiations to define a particular treatment for qualified financial institutions of systemic, those whose health has an impact on the entire industry.Three criteria will preside mainly the selection of "systemically important banks," according to the word Basel: size, interconnection with the international financial system and the complexity of their activities.

According to indiscretions that have filtered in recent weeks on the work of the committee, regulators should develop up to five categories of systemic banks. Membership in a particular category of capital will determine the mattress, each of which will be able to prevail.

Under the general rules already written (called "Basel 3"), lambda banks will be subject to a minimum level of capital fixed at 7% of their commitments. For larger systemic banks, an additional 2.5 or 3 points would be imposed. For the category from below, it would be 2 to 2.5 points, etc..Behind these ratios abstruse, it is tens of billions of euros and dollars are at stake

Who will be affected? Financial analysts make their Paris, and generally agree to rank high on their "track record" the British HSBC, RBS and Barclays, the U.S. Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. In France, BNP Paribas is sure to be in the higher category. The case of Societe Generale and Credit Agricole are less clear, such as those of UBS or Goldman Sachs … Dozens of smaller banks in the world will finally be described as systemic without having to inflate their own funds and they will only be subject to close monitoring.

Moderate growth

For the handful of banks that held the upper hand, the financial effort – theoretically spread until 2019 – will be considerable.The aim is both to make them safer, but also to discourage everyone to grow again. Moreover, to encourage larger growth to moderate, an empty category of participant, but subject to even greater stress will be created.

Although the principle of these categories seems systemic stopped, the debate continues to rage. Critics of the rule point out that the creation of a banking elite is dangerous: the institutions that will be considered as protected members of the risk of failure by the authorities themselves. And the banks may feel free to take greater risks.

Another point of controversy concerns the advisability of the boat still banks when the economy Flageole.In the United States and Europe, bankers but sometimes some of their regulators warn against measures to curb the strength of banks could stifle their ability to finance the economy. An episode recently shown the virulence of the debate at a conference, the respected head of the U.S. bank JPMorgan, Jamie Dimon, was himself arrested on this point the Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. A rare public skirmish in the world usually so subdued in the bank.