I have one new arrival in my trading library. Timothy Sykes‘s An American Hedge Fund. I was surprised to see a ‘Uncorrected Proof’ copy of the book lying in my mailbox. It is my pleasure to have a chance to read Tim’s upcoming book. I will try to finish the book as soon as possible and write a review here.
I am having some problems with the banking system in Australia. Really, this is the time, I really miss Singapore. The efficiency and the processing speed in Singapore is kinda top notch.I am not saying there is any problem with the banks here, maybe, I just need some time to adapt to the way they work.
When I first arrived in Australia, I did a online bank transfer between two accounts. Both are from the same local Australian bank. This type of transfer, in Singapore, the fund will be available immediately. I was expecting the same. The story is, I had no enough fund to pay for my new furniture due to the delay of this transfer. Yes, it took more than 1 working day to make the transfer. Unbelievable. So, I have to call up the delivery department, requested to delay the delivery. What a embarrassing experience.
Next, I went to apply for credit card. I wrote about this before. The bank sent me a letter recently , informing me the card is ‘Ready for Collection‘. Great. I brought my income statements, contracts etc to the collection point (Wait, they don’t send the card to you via mail, due to ‘security reason‘?!?!, you have to move your ass to their office to collect), which was few streets away from my workplace. Now what? The customer service officer couldn’t understand my payslip, and Australian workplace agreement. I wasted my 30 minutes sitting there. You know the result. ‘We need 2-3 working days to verify, I need to fax these to senior officer to verify again, you may give me a call 2 to 3 days later to check the status‘.
Damn.Enough.
Seriously, I miss Singapore at this point of time. I stayed in a society with high efficiency for the past 8 years, I am really having a tough time to get used of the slowness here.
You want to know more? I have similar experience in applying home phone, broadband access and arranging courier service.
I am not complaining. Ok, I am, maybe. I know that I need some time to get used of the working style here.
For the banking service, Thumbs up, Singapore. Well, though I was not a million-dollar customer to them, but they served me like a customer, not asking me to follow ‘their’ rule.
I received an email from CME group.
July 13, 2007
To Our Valued Customers:
We are very pleased to announce that today CME and CBOT have completed the merger of our two great institutions. The new entity – CME Group Inc., a CME/Chicago Board of Trade Company – is now the world’s largest and most diverse exchange.
Customers around the world will now have access to a wide array of benchmark exchange-traded derivatives products based on the entire U.S. interest rate yield curve, equity indexes, foreign exchange, agricultural commodities, energy, metals and alternative investment products such as weather and real estate. Supported by leading trading technology and world-class clearing, these products ultimately will be available for trade around the clock, around the world from a single electronic platform as well as via open outcry and privately negotiated trading. As one company, we will be able to provide more diverse and innovative products, increased operational efficiencies and a more streamlined business environment.
CME and CBOT are two of the most recognized brands in global financial markets. As we integrate our two companies, we will leverage our combined strengths to create an even more powerful brand. Our brand value will reflect our commitment to serving our customers first – through inventiveness, superior service, transparency, liquidity, industry leading technology, efficient clearing and global reach. Our new company, CME Group, is committed to these values as we continue to strive to improve the way markets work for your benefit.
Our customers are the foundation for our success, and we will work hard to keep you well-informed of our progress and will seek your feedback along the way. For more information, including a fact sheet and answers to many of your integration-specific questions, please be sure to visit our new Web site at www.cmegroup.com.
We deeply value our relationship with you and look forward to continuing to provide the innovative products, technology and customer service expected from us.
It is nice to hear about the merger. We have a stronger exchange. But….does it mean we have less down time for electronic market?uhm…..
Well, I am not sure if I should put it this way. I was trying to apply a credit card from one of the banks in Melbourne city. The customer service officer, a young, beautiful white lady was serving me. Uhm…She did not seem to be keen to serve a young Asian guy like me. (Well, I was wearing nice black suit) The attitude was kinda unfriendly, lack of smile, and she did not even want to explain different cards that the bank offers. And she was annoyed when I asked about the requirement of applying a Gold Visa.
All right….3 minutes later…she asked for my income proof. And you can’t believe this, she was shock and asked “SHIT! they pay you $XXX a day!?!”.
Gav: “Yup….that’s my daily rate if you want to know..”
Then, the world seems to be changing. The sweet smile shown on the pretty face of her. I had a smooth process of card application…
What is this? Discrimination? or racism? Oh, or do I look so bad? Come on…
Anyway, this is the only weird experience I have. So far, the city and people are nice and friendly. I have nice time with local people here, in office or in pubs.
Just to note down this experience.
update: I have to close the comment section of this post. It is not my intention to discuss racism issue on here. After all, Melbourne is still a excellent place to live.
“How’s it going man”
Well, I am back to blogging. But, not trading, yet. Life is kinda busy, and exciting. New job, new place to live, new weather, new people, new food, new accent & slang of English etc. Everything is new to me. This is my first month in Melbourne. And I start falling in love with this city (well, despite the street shooting).
I had a brief chat with Eyal over Gtalk yesterday. Well, I guess I may consider focusing in Forex trading now. It is just too tough to trade American market from Australia, especially during winter.
Another option for me is to look into CFD trading of Australian market. Well, CFD market here is definitely better than Singapore. I traded CFD in Singapore.
Did I mention about property investment here? It is going crazy here. Some average joes are owning 17 properties?! What the heck.
Anyway, I am not going to rush myself to get back to trading. I am still enjoying the new lifestyle now. Beautiful winter in Melbourne.
Btw, Cafes in Melbourne really serves nice coffee.
More to come.
I manage to squeeze out some time to do some readings today. I am flying to Melbourne this weekend, just like what Eyal mentioned to me, relocation is a hectic process. Now I truly understand what does HECTIC mean.
Anyway, this one is from Forbes’ website. Billionaires for Africa. Some of the worlds wealthiest residents are exploiting their connections, expertise and nest eggs to change Africas fate. Nice read. Enjoy.
