Posts Tagged ‘business financing’

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

● Restoring growth

● Reform the international monetary system

● Fighting against the volatility of agricultural commodities

● Regulate Financial Markets

● Financing for Development Assistance

● Reforming global governance

Boost growth

Some cheap term life insurance policies may look cheap, but what matters the most is that you must get it.Getting a cheap term policy is not an easy task.

Why Europe is considered the village idiot world

Monday, October 17th, 2011

What is the country with the largest trade surplus? Germany, with 194 billion dollars over the last twelve months, ahead of China (173 billion). What is the state that attracts the most capital of the world? The Netherlands, where foreign direct investment to date some 3000 billion, far ahead of the United States (2.25 trillion), according to the review of the IMF. What is the country which hosts the most tourists? France has received 78.9 million last year, against 61 million for the United States.

Each of these expresses a form of performance excellence. Germany feeds her flawless manufacturing tradition since the industrial revolution. The Netherlands, taxation deliberately advantageous for multinational companies, is one of the hubs of global capitalism since its "golden age".The Hexagon cultivates an image of cultural universality and good living. Taken one by one, most Old World nations are doing much better than the European Union, or the idea of ​​it.

The Americans accused him of set themselves up as "fortress" when "big market" Europe was created in 1992. Now she is unable to defend its weak links, as révèlela sovereign debt crisis. Public deficits are, however, generally two to three times lower than those of the United States and Japan, as Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, continues to say. But markets look weak countries, not the average of a "Union" in front.

Europe is becoming "the global village idiot" in the words of Hubert Védrine, former foreign minister.He who has not grasped the rules and fails to protect its interests. This is particularly evident in relations with China, became the first trade and investment partner of the Old Continent. The EU has a trade deficit with China of 169 billion (in 2010) of similar magnitude to balance US-China (205 billion euros). But the complaints vis-à-vis Beijing are very far from achieving the shouts of Washington. The Committee of Foreign Trade of Parliament held on October 11 a special session on Sino-European trade.As responsible for relations with the Far East in the European administration, Helena König wanted to do things in perspective: "It is clear that for European companies in China is a source of profits" at she said, with emphasis on German and French companies in China. Certainly.

Unfair competition of the "Made in China"

This can not hide everything no fax cash advances. First of all the unfair competition of the "Made in China", which led last week the U.S. Senate to vote for the first time, a bill accusing Beijing of "manipulating its currency." Or access the Chinese market, fully controlled, as we see "a rush of China in Europe." This is the title of the study that came to write scathing François Godement Jonas Parello-Plesner and for the European Council on Foreign Relations. They describe an all-out acquisition strategy.The recovery of ailing brands such as Volvo and MG in the car, the establishment of SMEs. Beijing has established a fund of 2.8 billion euros to assist innovative German SMEs to develop partnerships with their Chinese counterparts. This may take the form of real industrial cities, as in Florence, on the outskirts of Florence, where 4 800 small businesses employing 40,000 Chinese expatriates in Mainland China are a bridgehead offshore.

Faced with this wave, "Europe has no information or regulations," stigmatizes Francois Godement. The Bulgarian ambassador in Paris, Marin Raykov, explains how his country, not having been able to interest the French car manufacturers, has brought the Chinese Great Wall Motor to manufacture cars in Bulgaria.Deindustrialization and fiscal difficulties of the southern states are an ideal soft underbelly.

With its 3.2 trillion (dollars) of foreign exchange reserves, Beijing appears in turn as the white knight to the rescue of Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Hungary. Last summer, a delegation from the Italian Treasury, modern-day Marco Polo, visited with great ceremony in Beijing to his court. It was rumored that the Chinese central bank holds 25% of all European public debt. Information without foundation, insists Francois Godement. Unlike the U.S. Treasury, following precisely the holding of Treasury bonds by Beijing and publishes its figures, Europe has no statistical tool.Like Greece, which has Eurostat in September 2004 that its accounts were rigged, had not a lesson.

This lack of information is a godsend for Beijing, which keeps his secret. What easy conquest, according to the principle of "divide and rule", as old as the Roman Empire, the British had returned to their use to colonize the Middle East.

Savers: Do not panic, but concern about the risks

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

"Customers are asking us if they have to worry about. To reassure them, we remind the facts, we communicate on our exposure to Greece … our profitability, "said Jean-François Sammarcelli, Network Manager of Societe Generale France. He said the withdrawals are not more important than usual, as the bank continues to attract savings … but the wealthiest clients shall, as a precaution, to spread their cash across multiple institutions. "Those other banks have the same reaction. We therefore also take this opportunity, "he adds. This is a situation that the banks had already known in 2008.

In every European bank, customers benefit because in case of bankruptcy of a guarantee on their deposits: checking account, savings plans, deposit accounts, or bank books (excluding Livret A, guaranteed by the state).But it is capped at 100,000 euros per person.

In France, it is provided by the Guarantee Fund deposits, which now has … two billion euros. Obviously too small a sum to compensate customers of a major bank. "The fund is one of the best capitalized in Europe. And he may at any time raise additional capital or borrow from banks, "says Thierry Dissaux, CEO of the Guarantee Fund deposits. In practice, its mission is primarily to avoid the worst, by participating in the rescue of troubled institutions before it is too late.

Life insurance affected?

And it is ultimately the more reassuring for the French: none imagine that the state gives up a large bank low fee payday advance. The debate, which opened this weekend on the assumption of a partial nationalization in point.Some investors wonder, them, especially the fate of their contract of life insurance. Although insurers claim to have little Greek bonds, a default of Athens served diminish returns to investors. Yields as affected by the collapse of the Exchange.

Insurers also hold, in proportions much larger government borrowing Italian or Spanish. If concerned about this exposure to sovereign debt, and disappointed by the declining returns of their investment favorite, the French withdrew their money en masse, insurers could be forced to sell their assets at the worst time. "We're not there. Withdrawals from the contracts increases for two years, partly because the holders of life insurance age and draw on their savings to finance their retirement, "said Chistophe Eberle, President Optimind, actuarial consulting firm.But insurers still manage the risk. "In 2008, the drying up of liquidity in the markets had led to withdrawals from the contracts. In our funds in euros, so we decided to keep cash in the interests served by our bond portfolios, to be ready to face any withdrawals, "says Sonia Fendler, General Heritage.

The United States would release 300 billion for employment

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

At a time when European governments are in turn in place policies of fiscal restraint, the United States seems to them the choice of stimulus. Concordant sources, Barack Obama should indeed announce a plan for $ 300 billion (about EUR 213 billion) to boost employment and growth.

For now, the Obama administration has not officially given details on this program to support the economy promised on August 15 which outlines what must be unveiled Thursday by the head of the White House.But according to CNN, during his speech to Congress which will be broadcast on television, U.S. President should mainly announce new tax cuts for the fight against unemployment, which appears to 9.1% in August United States.

Likely lower expenses

The Bloomberg said that the taxes acquitées by workers expected to decline by 2% on 31 December. Expenses paid by employers should also be reduced. The agency adds that the program should also include new public spending on infrastructure construction next year.

The Federal Government should also give direct aid to states and local communities credit reports free. Bloomberg said that the aid would go through the suspension of staff redundancy programs in hospital emergency rooms and teachers.Education is expected as an important part of the speech of Barack Obama.

These new expenditures should be fully offset by budget cuts, which will be specified by the head of the White House, says CNN. But according to Bloomberg, to fund these new measures, Barack Obama should prompt Congress to offset the costs of job creation in the short term by new taxes on income in the longer term. According to Bloomberg, the president of the United States should present the proposed budget cut next week to members of Congress charged with finding a way to reduce government debt.Barack Obama and succeed in reconciling policy stimulus and lower budget deficits, Bush is indeed bound by a program to reduce the deficit over time.

ALSO READ:

"Obama also accused the Congress of slow recovery

"Barack Obama discusses economy with Warren Buffett

"Obama's plan to use the 7.9

Tour operators rely on "all-inclusive"

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Buffets and unlimited sports, entertainment for adults, kids club for children … A holiday in the card, no surprises. Everything is organized and paid for before reaching the full support from the airport.

In times of crisis more than ever, all inclusive, hallmark of Club Med, like and secure. Most tour operators would be more or less inspired to develop offers "house" all inclusive stays in hotels with different price points.

"The" all inclusive "is part of the DNA of Club Med. It is the heart of our product, said Anne Yannic, executive director of markets France, Belgium and Switzerland at Club Med. In a difficult economic environment, it is a reassuring promise. The formula has developed significantly since the financial crisis of 2008.All tour operators now offer all-inclusive club package. But the positioning high-end all-inclusive Club Med is unique. No one offers such a quality of service, except perhaps a few luxury hotels, but offer user-friendly that is also a hallmark of the Club. "

According to Patrice Caradec, CEO of Transat France (Look Voyages), the number of hotels clubs offered for French customers from 200 to 400 in five years. "Ten years ago, when ten French went in with a beach holiday tour operator, five opted for a formula club hotel, all inclusive, he says. Today is September Eventually, we will not sell more than that! "

Look Voyages already carries 75% of its sales in its 34 clubs Lookéa. These clubs are independent hotels from 150 to 200 rooms.Look Voyages ensures the filling of 80%, by signing contracts with their owners at least three years. Its own teams (10 to 20 people per club) make the animation.

Higher margins for tour operators

"With the Internet, which causes them to spend more and more tour operator, the formula is the most relevant, offering the best quality / price ratio, ensures Laurent Laforest, director of marketing for Look Voyages online cash advance. Club Med, which was once the preserve of the product club (animations, user-friendly, sports, child care), was copied by tour operators and hoteliers themselves. But the concept of club is not regulated, you can find everything and anything.The challenge is how to make its mark as a guarantee. "

This summer, for example, Thomas Cook France sells 72 hotels clubs (27 clubs Eldorador, the brand more upscale, 15 Villages Thomas Cook, 20 Aquatour clubs for customers in northern France, 10 Jumbo clubs, positioned entry ). "In deciding to go on the high end, Club Med has left a very important market segment. We have a lot of customers who come to us because Club Med has become too expensive for them, says Denis Wathier, Chairman of Thomas Cook France. The goal is a hundred clubs in two years. With the emergence of the Internet, tour operators must have something unique to offer. "

Another advantage is that the profitability of the formula."From the moment you sell a concept where you put the value added (animations, buffets, a specific decoration …) you can afford to sell the service more expensive, with higher margins," Wathier says Denis.

According to Laurent Laforest, clubs attract mainly couples (70% of customers) and families with children. "In a travel market in crisis, it is the segment that is resistant to the best tailor-made high-end", says he. "The demand increases and supply the following at the expense of traditional hotels, which are easily found on the Internet without going through tour operators," said Denis Wathier.

ALSO READ:

"The tourist season is resistant to bad weather

"Tourism: the weather boosts" sun insurance "

"These films that influence holiday destinations

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.

Difficult to recover the "AAA" when it was lost

Sunday, August 7th, 2011

S & P is the second rating agency to downgrade the American note, after the Chinese – less powerful – Dagong, others – mainly the U.S. Moody's and Fitch French – for the time remaining in triple A. Now rated AA + long term debt of the United States remains in the investment category of "high quality" and joined the second and third world economies, namely China and Japan, as well as Belgium, Spain , Israel, Taiwan, or even oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

But it is possible to recover the triple A when it was lost. Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Sweden Finande did. Of course, the United States will do everything to return to their "AAA" precious. But the task will be tough, as it will maintain over the long term, strong pressure on fiscal discipline while scaffolding better understanding at the political level.

Political consensus to find absolutely

Indeed, in the case of their Canadian neighbors, the return of Triple A in 2002, had been lost – again by S & P – in 1992 on its debt denominated in foreign currency, was possible thanks to the introduction of fiscal measures severe that the subject of a strong national consensus, which seems far from possible for the United States.

Similarly, three Scandinavian countries also known for their ability to consensus politics have seen their efforts to improve public finances crowned by the return of a "triple A" lost year 1990: Denmark 2001, Finland in 2002 and Sweden in 2004.

Australia is one model may be more difficult to imitate. This country has lost in the 1986 'AAA' rating assigned to its foreign currency by S & P, to find him in 2003.During these 17 years, Canberra has demonstrated fiscal discipline inflexible, stopping in 1997 to increase the amount of its debt in dollars. Growth has surged with the transformation of the economy, modernization of the financial system, deregulation of many sectors that had lost their competitiveness and development of a powerful mining industry has benefited from China's economic takeoff.

Economy to restart

Jean-Michel Six, chief economist for Europe Standard & Poor's has expressed in the columns of Le Figaro, six months ago that the economic figures released in the United States show that the country remains fragile, particularly at the front of the employment and real estate. "In the U.S., including employment prospects are very disappointing."While yesterday (Friday), the figures – the United States have created 117,000 jobs in July – have eliminated any disaster scenario on the U.S. labor market, performance is modest. As for household consumption, "it is significantly weakened by the debt levels of Americans," added the specialist. Overall, "the year 2011 should result in a 2% growth, which is very disappointing for the U.S., where the pace of activity is generally much higher than in Europe."

According to the latest figures on U.S. growth, GDP grew by only 1.3% annual rate. Economists expected a 1.8% increase. Worse, the growth of the first three months of the year, previously estimated at 1.9%, was revised sharply downwards to 0.4%. And the largest economy in the world did she not really recovered from the 2008 crisis.Fears of a slowdown in U.S. growth, and global markets have panicked the last ten days.

Fiscal side, the U.S. accumulated a debt exceeding GDP are: since August, the debt ratio exceeds 100%, as is the case in Japan or Greece.

ALSO READ:

"The U.S. debt above 100% of GDP

"INTERVIEW -" The signals on growth are not good "

"Beijing tance Washington about its debt

HSBC will eliminate 30,000 jobs by 2013

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

New cold shower for employees of large international banks. After Goldman Sachs, Lloyds Banking and Intesa Sanpaolo, HSBC is about to turn to give a serious tightening in its workforce: the British giant plans to eliminate 25,000 jobs worldwide within two years, in addition to the 5000 already announced in Latin America, United States, Britain and France.

Institutions are trying to adjust to their new regulatory and economic environment heated, that undermine the profits of their activities and investment.

HSBC did not identify the countries involved in the wave of savings.But the new leader of the group since January, Stuart Gulliver, had clarified its intentions with the publication of its strategic plan in May: he wants to return to the strategy of geographical expansion at any of his predecessors, will focus its efforts to on Asia.

In 39 countries, the bank has planned to scale back or even shut down some businesses, as it did for its retail banking in Russia or Poland. In the U.S., it will sell 195 branches to First Niagara for one billion dollars. In total, approximately 10% of the HSBC will be affected by the wave of savings. "A brutal restructuring plunging thousands of employees in limbo," according to the union Unite.The purpose of the institution is to reduce by two years its fixed costs at least $ 2.5 billion.

New regulations

The markets expressed their good report: in a very depressed market environment, the title of the bank surged 2 online payday advance.19% Monday. Investors greeted the passage of publication of interim results of good quality, marked with a taxable income of $ 11.5 billion (8 billion), up 3% year on year.

The HSBC savings plan should also prepare the institution to banking regulations in the future. More demanding in terms of mobilizing capital and liquidity, the new rules have encouraged banks to lower their activity levels. The gloomy global economic outlook, fueled by the debt crisis, also pushing the leaders to be cautious.Especially for the upturn, the schools had massively hired two years ago, in trading activities, in particular.

Since the spring, the banking industry have frequent announcements of job cuts. Goldman Sachs will separate for "economic reasons" about a thousand employees in September. Barclays would have eliminated 600 jobs in its investment banking division, BarCap and 2000 in its retail operations, since the beginning of the year. His compatriot Lloyds Banking Group is preparing to offload 15,000 jobs in order to focus on the United Kingdom. Allied Irish Bank Irish plans to turn to go from 2000 employees. German Commerzbank has already eliminated 7,400 positions. Credit Suisse expects 2000 job cuts in its investment bank, Intesa Sanpaolo 3000 …

Beware of counterfeit notes of 20 and 50 euros

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

In the first six months of the year, the European Central Bank, through the 17 national central banks in the euro area, has withdrawn from circulation approximately 296,000 counterfeit euro banknotes. A figure down 18.8%. As usual, these are the breaks of 20 and 50 euros that have been copied the most, with respectively 43 and 36% of counterfeit notes detected. Thus, the probability of having one day turn a fake is minimal, since currently, 15 billion euro banknotes circulating in the world with 13 billion in the hands of 330 million Europeans.

How to recognize a counterfeit bill? "First is the button: the ticket must be firm and crack when it is bent, and some inscriptions in relief is palpable. Then you look at it: we mark the traditional watermark, the black security, we detect signs of security by transparency, etc..And then tilts: the band or disc holographic silver toggles the face value and the € symbol, "said Francis Coustin, communications director of the Bank of France, stating that there are eight recognizable security features of immediately, then another series of signs visible with ultraviolet light, which traders often have, and finally other signs that only the European Central Bank and national central banks can detect. In all, there are 63! (See the interactive presentation of the security features of the ECB)

The ECB shall ensure consistently maintain its technological edge on the counterfeiters, who face risks thirty years' imprisonment and 450,000 euros fine. The Bank of France, also a civil party, does not claim a symbolic euro in damages.Within the Eurosystem, work is underway to develop a second series of euro banknotes, the theme will look like the current (see box).

A ticket is damaged, torn, not calcined is not lost

Think again if you think the ticket you just go to the machine, or your child has torn, is worthless. While it may legitimately be refused by your merchant, but the Bank of France, she will be able to replace them. In extreme cases – ticket sales, burned, burned, mutilated, wet, soft, bonded, etc.. – It is always possible to be "paid" but for a fee of 20%.

Francis Coustin the occasion of the exhibition Euro: the exhibition at the Cité des Sciences and Industry at La Villette (Paris XX) until September 4 – which comes in a fun way about the history of the euro, its manufacture, the security features of tickets, etc..- Chronicles the misadventures of people who burned their tickets, ensuring that parts of the Vatican, Monaco or San Marino (Italy) should be retained as they are rare … and therefore valuable, but warns, however, that collecting tickets francs (date of exchange limit, February 17, 2012) does not promise any profit, "they will be worth nothing then strictly."

Euro: the exhibition, organized for the first time in France, the European Central Bank and the Bank of France, has already attracted over 100,000 visitors in recent months in Europe, from Barcelona to Tallinn via Rome or Berlin.

Cotton in the mass circulation

• How does one manufacture a ticket?

To make the paper is bleached cotton fibers (only one note is made of cotton) in a water bath at high pressure and high temperature.The resulting pulp is then passed through a paper machine. To obtain the special paper, called Paper Trust, own bank notes, are incorporated in the paper some security features such as watermarks and security thread.

• Where do we manufacture the tickets?

In Europe, paper is supplied banknote paper to the fourteen high-security printers who print the euro banknotes in the European Union. In France, since 1915, tickets are no longer manufactured at Bercy, in Seine-et-Marne, but Chamalières (print) Auvergne – nothing to do with Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, who became finance minister from 1962 to 1966 -, and Vic-le-Comte (stationery). A year earlier, the Paris site was briefly occupied by the Germans, hence the decision to relocate the "safe" to an area less exposed.

• How many tickets are made in France?

In 2010, 2.45 billion tickets were delivered by the Manufacturing billest which 1738 billion euro, central banks outside the euro zone commander in France tickets. Every day, these are some 6.7 million tickets that are born in Auvergne.

• Where do the tickets then?

Once made, the tickets are sent to branches of the Banque de France equipped with crates. Then carriers (Brinks, etc.). Come back to supply banks, which themselves carry out their distributors, or retail, which brews each day astronomical amounts of cash, and merchants.

• How long does a ticket?

Tickets and circulate from hand to hand, and come back regularly and the Bank of France, which sorts all tickets at once, to put back into circulation as tickets safe and in good condition. To do this, sorting machines at high speed are used to check in a split second the authenticity of tickets. Notes unfit for circulation are destroyed and replaced.Finally, an average, the average life span of a 5 euro note is fourteen months and that of a ticket 50 euros for three and a half years.

• Some rules to know:

– A merchant has the right to deny him a ticket that looks suspicious, a merchant can refuse to cash more than 50 pieces in a single payment, a merchant has the right to refuse a big ticket for a small purchase: the customer must to the extra-A trader does not have the right to refuse display notes 100, 200 and 500 euros denying a legal tender banknotes is punishable under the Penal Code-If I a ticket printer or scanner, I am off-the-law.

The design of banknotes and coins

• Tickets continennent all a European monument and a bridge. But if some drawings look fiercely at a known site, none really exists.In December 1996 that ended the contest European models of the euro banknotes, which was won by Robert Kalina, designer of the National Bank of Austria. Gaphisme inspired by the architectural styles of seven periods in the history of European culture: the classic notes of € 5, the novel for those 10 euros, Gothic for 20euros, the Renaissance for 50 euros Baroque and Rococo for 100 euros, glass and steel to 200 euros, and the architecture of the twentieth century for 500 euros.

• As for parts, the idea was that they have a common European side (battery) and the national side (face). A European competition was then held to select the number of common sides. The winner was Luc Luycx, graphic designer at the Royal Belgian Mint. And in the end, the 17 countries of the euro area are some 136 different pieces move.The choice of the national side has done differently in each country. In Italy, the themes were selected by viewers of the Italian channel RAI. In monarchies, the effigies of kings were most often represented.

"Join the game" Rally France Euro 2011 for children aged 9 to 12 on www.euro.ecb.eu

ALSO READ:

"The French still addicted to cash

"We have 37 euros in your pocket

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.