Sounds more like lack of regulation and oversight to me. The body politic wasn't held to account either. They could easily have legislated against these practic

Sounds more like lack of regulation and oversight to me. The body politic wasn't held to account either. They could easily have legislated against these practices and taken away the option. Given free reign everyone is more than likely going to take the piss out of a system where their personal gain is contingent on making a certain kind of decision. It is human nature. With no long term consequences it doesn't matter who you hire... it is inevitable. Trying to personify the banker alone won't do much good in this discussion. There is a damn good reason no one is being prosecuted for crimes against the economy.