Where are all the $$$???

Decided to update my blog while waiting for my friend to meet up for dinner. Am now hiding at my favourite place, Pan Pacific hotel, specifically at one of the outlets, Brunch. This is a quiet place with a good ambience.

Attended a seminar by Prudential earlier in the afternoon. It was about the launch of a 5 year capital guaranteed plan on maturity with projected 3% returns. It is a good plan in terms of the mechanics but the timing seems wrong. If the plan had been launched 4-6 mths earlier, it would be something that would sell like hotcakes. Unfortunately, in this current climate, in a new world where Lehmann no longer exists, Merrill Lynch becoming part of Bank of America, Citigroup begging Uncle Sam for $$, who whould want to lock their cash for 5 years? So what it is capital guaranteed? Even AIG can end up in A&E asking for blood (money) to survive, what is safe now? We don't even need to look far, in the Singapore context, DBS is not far away from trouble with only about 7.5% tier 1 ratio. If they go down to below 6%, which in my opinion is just not that far away, DBS will get themselves into a lot of trouble with MAS. They will then have to raise funds, by issuing more shares (then Temasek Holdings will subscribe it with all our taxpayers money). Maybe that's why Singapore cannot lower the GST?? Hm...

In any case, my own problems are also still on the horizon. I have received the $30k as promised but I am still short of quite a bit. I still need something in the region of $30k-$40k to fully secure this project alpha. The best part is, out the $30k that I have, more than half has been utilised.. If I cannot find funding fast, I will get into trouble end of next month.. Where can I get the shortfall?? Where are all the $$??