Credit rationing keeps banks honest

A lunch with the chief executive of one of the leading universal banks in Europe gives a clear insight into what it means to head a bank in 2010.

The discussion begins with the added public scrutiny of individuals – “unfortunate, but inevitable,” the chief concedes.

Conversation turns to the business mix of the different divisions within his group. Most of his peers talk in terms of percentage of earnings between the retail and wholesale parts. This chief executive instead discusses it in terms of the amount of capital he allocates to each business line. Get used to it – it’s the language of 2010 and beyond in a world of high capital requirements and scarce provision of it.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access