Open Dissent

Open Dissent is an analysis of the financial crisis from the point of view of someone on the inside.With 35 years’ experience in banking internationally and, latterly, in Ireland, Mike Soden was one of those at helm, shaping and changing modern banking.This book is about the financial crisis and how we can get back to normal, except ‘normal’ has now been redefined. Soden concentrates on Ireland but is constantly mindful of the international and European contexts.Different to what has been written before on the Irish crisis, Open- Is a book about banking by an international banker who doesn’t have his hands dirtied by the financial crisis of 2008-9 (he resigned as CEO of Bank of Ireland in 2004)- Is a view from inside banking and contains entirely original and previously unaired ideas for Ireland’s financial recovery, including a new banking model and radical changes to the Irish financial services landscape- Contains information not formerly released, including correspondence between Soden and the Governor of the Central Bank in September 2008, following major events in the US- Looks at the culture of silent dissent in Irish corporate and political life, which is unwillingness to speak openly about something you feel strongly about – an effect of cronyism- Contains a balanced and informed analysis of NAMA and how it might ‘Cool heads need to be at work in order to get the best result for the country’Direct and honest, Open Dissent is also a challenge to Ireland’s citizens to rise above the factions, tribalism and sense of entitlement to do and accept what is best for their country.Mike Soden retired as chief executive of Bank of Ireland in 2004 after a 35-year career in Irish and international banking. He has since become a frequent and popular contributor to the Irish media on financial and economic matters.