Depending on your viewpoint, London is either booming, or completely falling apart. After the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, London’s reputation as a party town has never been higher. In stark contrast, its reputation as a financial centre has never been lower.
This Janus-faced dichotomy is accepted by all who work in the UK financial services sector. But to outsiders it is a cause of concern. And now, Asian companies and governments are hesitating before engaging with the financial system in London. The scandals engulfing many of the world's biggest banks have a worrying tendency to start in London. The rise of banker bashing and political pressure on finance...