The market's most elusive Irishman has been spotted back in his home town of Dublin. Cuddly David Hartigan, who used to run K2's treasury until he ran off in September, was seen in the Dublin Salsa Club chatting to a lovely lass by the name of Sarah. We're not sure what David's wife-to-be thinks of his footloose and fancy-free ways. He is to get married in July to a girl from Tipperary. This means he is the only MTNer to be able to legitimately sing the old song: "It's a long way to Tipperary/ It's a long way to go / it's a long, long way to Tipperary, to the sweetest girl I know . . ." Anyway, as he has been unemployed for the last four months it's about time Dave got himself a job to support his wild bachelor lifestyle and upcoming domestic bliss. But we hear that may have been sorted out and that his fiancee may not be the only reason he has to stay in Ireland . . . Another treasurer on the move is African Development Bank's Thierry De Longuemar, who has decided that the novelty of working in Abidjan, dodging bullets fired from rebels trying to overthrow the government, has worn off. He is to move to London to as yet undisclosed bank, leaving Danielle Coolen-Prentice in charge of the treasury. And Islandsbanki-FBA, the issuers who never seem to keep still, are to hit London in February with a Thorrablot party. For those whose knowledge of medieval Icelandic is a little rusty the Thorrablot party is a mid-winter Viking eating and drinking binge where Neanderthal men (MTN dealers) welcome the spring (bonuses). Ingvar Ragnarsson and Bill Symington are the usual suspects in charge of the event and have chosen to host it in a central London bookshop, which seems a little strange. No less strange is the invitation, which as Islandsbanki-FBA fans know, are gimmicks to be treasured. After the fishhook, the compass and schnapps, the market has this time been treated to packets of vacuum-packed shark meat. We understand that a London-based French MTN house (who could that possibly be?) has had to call in the health and safety experts after a foolish dealer failed to read the small print on the pack of fish and opened it. The smell was so bad that all trading was suspended for the morning. You have been warned. But any dealer who can't stand the smell in Marylebone could always make their way down to HSBC. Fergus Kiely is hiring two more MTN dealers to join his desk, which is situated across the road from . . . Fishmongers' Hall. How appropriate.
January 26, 2001
