4 ms·

I don't think this is entirely true. Paris and Amsterdam are fighting for banks as well; in Paris all government-related stuff can be now done in English as wel

by bitL 9y ago

I don't think this is entirely true. Paris and Amsterdam are fighting for banks as well; in Paris all government-related stuff can be now done in English as well; in Frankfurt for some reason (German pride?) everyone is forced to use German and frankly learning German is highly non-trivial and a time-sink. As for Japanese banks, it makes sense; both because Frankfurt has a significant Japanese minority due to previous business choices and the mentality is similar as well.

blibble 9y ago
as long as the EU regulated bits split off into different parts of the EU (Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam), there's little threat to the long-term future of London's financial sector however, if they all end up in one place, that would be a significant long-term threat
samsonradu 9y ago
Got me curious on the German/Japanese mentality being similar, could you elaborate please?
- strebler 9y ago
  Japan is sort of the Germany of Asia. Both are very detail-oriented people, well known for craftsmanship, significant amount of global exports, their trains are always on time, etc.
  - ashildr 9y ago
    > trains are always on time If I would not hold the German black belt in suppressing my emotions I would have laughed uncontrollably. (Though compared to the trains in the U.K...)
- bitL 9y ago
  Suppression of emotions, following rules to the letter, indifference/coldness to each other, "Weltschmerz" visible on faces, protestant work ethic (=stick at work doing nothing to show bosses you are working) etc. Other parts of Germany feel slightly different though (Bavarians seem much happier), it might be just Frankfurt.
prodmerc 9y ago
That's interesting, just in my experience, Germans are way more likely to speak English than the French, even if they know it. I always thought it was their pride or something heh. Learning either is a daunting task...
- bitL 9y ago
  Sure, in Frankfurt you can speak English almost with everyone. But never in government offices; all paperwork must be done in German. One headhunter from Frankfurt was recently complaining about it to me, pointing out the fact that Paris made sure bankers can do all paperwork in English whereas Frankfurt doesn't care. And obviously his own well-being depends on attracting people to Frankfurt.
  - renaudg 9y ago
    I am French and extremely surprised to hear that the French administration will let you do paperwork in English. Then again, I haven't lived here for some years. I wouldn't be surprised if some kind of local government agency in Paris was helping expats with paperwork, but the idea that all French civil servants and forms will suddenly start speaking English seems outlandish :)
BenoitP 9y ago
Macron -being a former Rothschild investment banker- could tremendously help firms and individuals in relocating to Paris. They just removed entirely the tax on standing capital (only real estate will remain taxed), and more could be following. To me, the government is taking Brexit very seriously and is intent on making the most out of it; including producing new legislation to attract businesses relocating out of London. Bankers not only have Paris fighting to have them, but the whole government as well.

by bitL 9y ago

blibble 9y ago

as long as the EU regulated bits split off into different parts of the EU (Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam), there's little threat to the long-term future of London's financial sector however, if they all end up in one place, that would be a significant long-term threat

samsonradu 9y ago

Got me curious on the German/Japanese mentality being similar, could you elaborate please?

strebler 9y ago
Japan is sort of the Germany of Asia. Both are very detail-oriented people, well known for craftsmanship, significant amount of global exports, their trains are always on time, etc.
- ashildr 9y ago
  > trains are always on time If I would not hold the German black belt in suppressing my emotions I would have laughed uncontrollably. (Though compared to the trains in the U.K...)
bitL 9y ago
Suppression of emotions, following rules to the letter, indifference/coldness to each other, "Weltschmerz" visible on faces, protestant work ethic (=stick at work doing nothing to show bosses you are working) etc. Other parts of Germany feel slightly different though (Bavarians seem much happier), it might be just Frankfurt.

prodmerc 9y ago

That's interesting, just in my experience, Germans are way more likely to speak English than the French, even if they know it. I always thought it was their pride or something heh. Learning either is a daunting task...

bitL 9y ago
Sure, in Frankfurt you can speak English almost with everyone. But never in government offices; all paperwork must be done in German. One headhunter from Frankfurt was recently complaining about it to me, pointing out the fact that Paris made sure bankers can do all paperwork in English whereas Frankfurt doesn't care. And obviously his own well-being depends on attracting people to Frankfurt.
- renaudg 9y ago
  I am French and extremely surprised to hear that the French administration will let you do paperwork in English. Then again, I haven't lived here for some years. I wouldn't be surprised if some kind of local government agency in Paris was helping expats with paperwork, but the idea that all French civil servants and forms will suddenly start speaking English seems outlandish :)

BenoitP 9y ago

Macron -being a former Rothschild investment banker- could tremendously help firms and individuals in relocating to Paris. They just removed entirely the tax on standing capital (only real estate will remain taxed), and more could be following. To me, the government is taking Brexit very seriously and is intent on making the most out of it; including producing new legislation to attract businesses relocating out of London. Bankers not only have Paris fighting to have them, but the whole government as well.