Breaking the Bank

In his latest novel, Alan Reynolds has blown the lid off the culture and practices in British Banking that led to the financial crisis of 2008. The book is set in a fictional Bank in 1997 and follows the exploits of Martin Brazier the manager of a branch in the North of England. We learn at first hand about the pressures exerted by the bullying Regional Director and his relentless drive to achieve targets. The rewards for success are lavish with bonuses and incentive trips; the punishment for failure, humiliation and shame. The resulting behaviours - hedonism, greed and dishonesty are played out in a fast moving thriller which will have readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds. Some in the banking community could well recognise themselves as this work of fiction comes daringly close to the truth.