SPIEGEL: Mr. Green, when was the last time you were ashamed to be a banker?

Green: I haven't felt ashamed when it comes to my own work. However, over the past few years there has been a portion of the global business that was simply unacceptable. Some financial products were much too complicated and not transparent enough. Moreover, they were sold to people who often had no idea what they were buying. This sort of business was very successful for a few years, but it resulted in catastrophe. In this respect, it was disgraceful for all of us.

SPIEGEL: You are not just the group chairman of Britain's HSBC, the world's largest private bank. In your free time, you also serve as a lay preacher in the Anglican Church. Have you ever prayed: "Please God, rescue capitalism"?

Green: Well, I was certainly never at a point at which I felt that it was so diabolical that it ought to be abolished. All economic systems have their faults and capitalism is the best of a bad bunch -- that is even though, only a year ago…

SPIEGEL: ... shortly after the Lehman bankruptcy...

Green: ...it was truly on the brink.

SPIEGEL: When did you last give a sermon?

Green: Last Sunday. My sermon was about the gospel and the financial crisis.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE) • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • * Culture-Watch • Religion & Culture • * Economics, Politics • Economy • The Banking System/Sector • The Credit Freeze Crisis of Fall 2008/The Recession of 2007-- • * International News & Commentary • England / UK • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology

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