Capital crisis We bring you George Soros's global vision in an exclusive extract from his new book. Banking tales Two banks respond in very different ways to a changing industry. David Bullard A panic button for Joe Modise could save us all a lot of money Stephen Mulholland Shades of apartheid in new SA's race-based quotas And now... read Frank Meintjies and Barry Ronge in our columns section every week. Audit Bureau of Circulation print Media Association

Sunday: 06 December, 1998 Seen The Sunday Times online? Get leading coverage from every corner of the nation on politics, sport, news, lifestyle, travel, and arts and entertainment. Plus access online only offerings like discussion forums, columns and more. You can't afford to miss the paper for the people online... or you'll miss out. Hopes for rate cut hit the wall ANDREW GILL The chilly return of market jitters this week has probably killed the hope of further cuts in interest rates in the near future Short-term insurers dodge the Y2K bug DINA SEEGER YOU may not be overly concerned about whether your electrical household appliances are year 2000-compliant, but your insurance company is. To avoid a possible flood of claims for broken video machines, burglar alarms, microwaves, personal computers and television sets in January 2000, insurance companies around the world are excluding millennium-related damage from their policies. Cybercards Currency Converter Before you logout for the last time in 1998, remember to send your friends, colleagues and family in far-flung places a festive cybercard, for Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year. Business Times has answered numerous user requests for a currency converter, and here it is. For more than 150 currencies around the world, from the Qatari Rial to the Ukraine Hryvnia (well worth a trip to the tundra), bookmark our currency converter. Corporate Compendium We're thilled that you love our new Corporate Compendium service. With more than 650 of South Africa's listed companies profiled here (and more added every week), find the one you want in a flash. Enter the name of the company you are looking for and click on Search. Company name: Times Media Limited disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense however caused, arising from the use of or reliance upon, in any manner, the information provided through this service and does not warrant the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. © Times Media Ltd, 1996-1997 Full Site Index Hopes for rate cut hit the wall Banks fail in bid to stop crime Bill Bank gets another nudge to cut rates Time has come for international credit insurance plan Employment contracts hide host of legal landmines Gung-ho farmers set to boost maize output despite oversupply Port and sherry hangover as trade talks deadlock Dusting off the industry depression SAB cup runneth over to London SA on track for first national oil company New nodes draw office tenants Sappi not out of the woods yet Western Areas' deal with Placer Dome a real coup Development bank shows commitment Motor industry slowdown hits 12-year record Search is on for Nedlac's new executive director Black groups coming out of the profit margins AMB surges on organic growth Nail drives home the advantage with deals worth R6bn Shell gives motorists option of checking in for the night COMPANY ROUNDUP BUSINESS ROUNDUP THE WEEK AHEAD Sasol holds back on its alcohol-spiked petrol Altech on acquisition trail to build IT giant Synergy deal gives iHTech good spread New kid on the media block eyes the global marketplace Bank on meeting the masses' needs Market sags by nearly 8% as Sanlam struggles to hold steady Lower rates fail to calm nerves or lift spirits Short-term insurers dodge the Y2K bug Sanlam emerges slightly battered after first week Taxman wants his slice of pension paid out Gift ideas to make this a financially festive season Be sure to quiz your financial adviser Light at the end of the tunnel - in 2000 Forget about trying to read the markets Surgey paints a brighter future for Plascon Towering feat shortens cellphone odds People On The Move People On The Move People On The Move People On The Move Surveys At A Glance Postal services Monopoly mindset hampers progress At R1.10, it's still a bargain Meet 'Mr Transformation' Winning the confidence of trade unions 90% of mail delivered on time Promise of 98% success rate Digital ID keeps cyberspace safe Infrastructure to serve the community A panic button for Joe Modise could save us all a lot of money Shades of apartheid in new SA's race-based quotas BRIEFCASE Rhodes's feathers ruffled in the 'Ront' Club How the Australians look to a keen eye from SA A tale of Batting out the 'nervous nineties' Tough tests loom for Europe's central bank Pleas for investor-friendly southern Africa Will euroland be cosy, or a burning building with no fire-escapes? UK still tops for European investors

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