Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Non-Tech : Ingram Micro -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: E_K_S who wrote (462)	1/24/2000 3:15:00 AM
From: Dale Stempson	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 576

Eric, I enjoyed reading your comments. IM certainly is in an excellent position to help create a B2B E-commerce business model that ensures their participation and allows for growth through expanded services. Their resources, size and position in the chain, coupled with their willingness to take an active role make them a good choice for both manufacturers and resellers to partner with in the development process. As you pointed out, hooking up with Softbank provides interesting additional opportunities for IM. BTW, You mentioned: "Book value for IM is about $8.50/share depending on how you calculate goodwill." From the 10/2/99 balance sheet and income statement, I calculate it to be $9.48 (and that excludes goodwill, or with goodwill then $12.56). I base that on $1,859,902,000 in stockholders' equity, less $455,732,000 of goodwill, divided by 148,042,324 diluted shares. How are you calculating goodwill? Regards - Dale

To: E_K_S who wrote (462)	1/29/2000 3:07:00 AM
From: flickerful	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 576

Softbank considers additional banking operations By Reuters Special to CNET News.com January 28, 2000, 3:55 p.m. PT TOKYO--Japanese Internet investor Softbank is in informal talks with Fuji Bank on an online banking venture as it tries to push to the forefront of the restructuring of Japan's financial industry. Softbank's latest step will help encourage Japan's existing banks to accelerate their drive to restructure branch networks and seek new retail channels such as the Internet, analysts say. Industry sources said that Softbank and Fuji Bank, a leading city bank known as an active online banking player, are in talks on an online banking alliance similar to one Softbank announced yesterday with Suruga Bank, a regional bank. But it was unclear how soon a deal could be made with Fuji Bank because of Fuji's involvement in a merger project with Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank (DKB) and Industrial Bank of Japan (IBJ), the sources added. Softbank and Fuji Bank both declined comment. The sources said Softbank and Fuji Bank have been in talks for some time, but the pace of the talks slowed as work on Fuji's planned merger with DKB and IBJ progressed. Last August, Fuji, DKB and IBJ announced they would form a joint holding company, Mizuho Financial Group, by the autumn of 2001 and integrate their operations in early 2002. The sources said that, as the three banks move forward with their merger, Softbank's online banking deal may be struck with Mizuho. There is also a possibility, they added, that no agreement will be reached. Softbank yesterday said it had agreed with Suruga Bank, based in Shizuoka, central Japan, to cooperate on Internet banking, with Softbank planning to set up a "virtual branch" within Suruga's network. Softbank chief financial officer Yoshitaka Kitao confirmed that his company is in talks with a major city bank on setting up an online banking venture, although he declined to name the bank. "We want to have one online banking venture with a regional bank and another with a city bank," he said. Fuji Bank is among Japan's top city banks and is already active in online banking. It has an extensive Internet banking service network, called Fuji Cyberbank. Kitao yesterday said Softbank had decided to go ahead with the tie-up with Suruga Bank because a city bank it talked with was involved in a merger plan, and any deal with that bank would take more time to be agreed upon. Softbank, known for its investments in more than 150 Web-related companies worldwide, aims to launch banking operations over the Web either in cooperation with existing banks or by acquiring a conventional lender. It led a consortium that made a bid for the failed Nippon Credit Bank, now under state control. The consortium included Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance, a leading nonlife insurer, and Orix, a top leasing company. Kitao emphasized that Softbank is still interested in acquiring Nippon Credit Bank. The Japanese government is now seeking a buyer for Nippon Credit Bank, and a decision is likely in coming weeks. Story Copyright © 2000 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. news.cnet.com