I have been to a few radio and television interviews where people are supposed to discuss events and debate their opinions. Usually I have found people respecting of each others time to state their case and willingness to listen. Yesterday was the first time though where I have been where the EU membership was one [...]

This is an idea I discussed with my partner in Kaupthing‘s development department in 2007. More and more Icelanders were seeking loans in foreign currency and more employers were paying their employees in foreign currency. Businesses were more eager every day to open up currency accounts. The desire to escape the ISK had gripped a [...]

Hallgrimur Oskarsson ponders the benefits and faults regarding Iceland entering the EU on his blog.  The Benefits 1. Improves Iceland’s image regarding trust and stability abroad 2. A stabler economy, lower interests and no price indexation 3. A stable currency (Euro) – Hard to attack. Lower operating costs.  4. A decent outlook for lower and [...]

There are still plenty of people who think that the adoption of the Euro is something Icelanders have a choice in.  But that would imply that there are still reasonable alternatives out there. Talks of the USD are unfavorable in the context of Icelandic trade vs. the trade it has with the European Union and [...]

I am getting tired of talking about the Independence Party but they seem intent on hogging the headlines with one misguided step after another. Now Bjarni Benediktsson is plastered across bus-stops and full-page ads promising voters that Iceland could adopt the Euro through the IMF without entering the EU. This without putting forth any evidence [...]

For mystery lovers there is nothing more puzzling these days but what is happening between the government of Iceland and the IMF. It is now roughly two weeks since the IMF declared an intent to lend Iceland 2 billion USD, if approved by its board. The estimated need was 6 billion USD and the rest [...]