'The Bishop and the Bankers' - Radio 4

London Stock Exchange (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Presently many feel the financial institutions of the City of London are not to be trusted, and we wonder how they are ever going to perform the 'spin' necessary to get them back on track and into the 'good books' of the general public.

I recently listened to this Radio 4 programme and found it interesting on several levels. It refers to the ancient and modern, and reminds us that Barclays Bank was founded by Quaker goldsmiths in 1690. What would they have thought of the LIBOR crises? The FSA is not longer with us but the FCA is, the 'C' standing for Conduct! So perhaps lessons have been learned.

A young man talks of the launch of the 'City Obligation' working party and takes the motto of the London Stock Exchange 'My Word Is My Bond' it seems that the City folk are moving in the right direction, but how long it will take to gain the trust of the people is something else entirely.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b037h1yg/The_Bishop_and_the_Bankers_Episode_2/

As a Freeman of the City I was also presented with the Rules for the Conduct of Life and I quote here in full RULE I

"Whatever you at any time intend to do, consider the end which you therein propose to yourself, and be sure that it be always really good, or at least innocent. 

He who does anything, and knows not why or wherefore, acts foolishly : and he who aims at an unlawful end acts wickedly, which is the worst sort of folly. If you are careful always to observe this fundamental rule, you will thereby avoid many sins which would distrub your conscience, and also many trifling sanctions which would tend to your discredit, or trouble your respose."

Taken from the Rules for the Conduct of Life

to which are added 

a few cautions

For the use of such Freemen of London as take Apprentices

 - Consider your Ways - Hag. 1.5 -