Bank 'had means to track rogue trader'

Societe Generale had the means to track soaring bets that cost the French banking giant billions – and stop him, lawyers for accused rogue trader Jerome Kerviel said today.

On the final day of Kerviel’s trial, the defence turned the prosecutor’s accusation that the 33-year-old trader was a “manipulator, a trickster, a liar” on its head.

Defence lawyer Olivier Metzner said today that Kerviel was “trained, fabricated” by Societe Generale.

Kerviel is accused of betting €50bn of SocGen’s money and is charged with forgery, breach of trust and unauthorised computer use.