You would be forgiven if you are a little sceptical when I tell you that I've come across a remarkably moral banker. His name is Stephen Green and he is the CEO of HSBC. I was so inspired by his values that I have featured him in my new book, Business Head, Spiritual Heart.
Not only is Green an ordained Anglican priest this guy truly still lives by the premise 'my word is my bond' which many in the city see as an old fashioned term that has no place in cut throat business. HSBC has had pressure from activist shareholders to cut and run from the ailing US Household business and legally the bank could walk away. To Green that would be unthinkable and immoral. His belief that the culture of financial markets need to change is sincere and if you want to find out more, check out his book Serving God? Serving Mammon? (now out of print) which he wrote in 1996 when he was a director at HSBC's investment banking division.
As for bonuses, whilst he has had plenty in the past Green has decided never to take a bonus again. How many bankers can you see agreeing to that?
Source: Article by Simon Watkins in The Mail on Sunday 5/4/09
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