Banking probe delay raises serious suspicions

An old friend once described senior bankers as “street traders in pinstriped suits and patent leather shoes”.

At the time it seemed quite amusing, but given the revelations of the last few days, it’s clear that the characterisation is an insult to street traders. In comparison to the senior bankers we have heard so much about, street traders are honourable folk plying their trade as best they can to make a living for their families.

Sure, on occasions following a purchase from certain street traders we may feel that we have been short changed or the goods that we received weren’t quite what we thought we were getting. However, whatever deal we entered into was a once-off and more often than not we committed to never getting caught again. Indeed, we knew when we entered the deal that it was somehow ‘dodgy’. In other words, we went into it naively but nevertheless our eyes were wide open.