Thursday, October 23, 2008

An opportunity lost:

Recent Global turmoil seen more then half of top financial institutions falling down , they either filed for bankrupcy or sold themselves at a price which was half or third of thier valuations few months back. These financial organizations were center for best talent across the world , global banks and HNIs used to swear on thier name and expertise . Totally unmatchable human intellect and growth potential. It was a bargain time on streets when some of the best money makers were on the sale . Several banks like BOFA , CITI utilise this opportunity to the fullest by acquiring these organizations completly or in partial units.For Asia which is still thanking its stars for not getting into this mess , it was an opportunity lost. There are very few institutions in the history of Asia which have raised to the level of these western Investment banks . This time they had an opportunity to simply grab what has already been created at a price which is almost unbelievable but none of Asian oganizations were prepared for such opportunity. The only bank from Asia to venture into it is Japanese Namura which acquired Lehman brothers assets in middle east.Indian banks which were still in much better condition but financially as their exposure to subprime crisis was almost non existent , Couldn't leverage on these opportunities. This was a golden chance which comes almost in a dacade , one timely decision could have set any moderate financial organization to the top of the world. Quality assets and worldclass talent could have been acquired at very low cost and also retained for long time at very competitive operating expenses.
Anyways now most of it has already gone to kitty of US banks ( Yet again ) but still there are chances to learn a lot from this and grab some of the best talent in respective fields.