Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains how developments in banking mean that attention needs to be paid to the harms that can be done to the economic system itself, not just to individuals, by irresponsible behaviour on the part of bankers. It outlines a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between financial incentives and moral concerns, distinguishing amongst different kinds of profit motivational sets. The book attempts to explore and explain how ethics can be thought about and promoted in banking, and provides a set of useful perspectives that will stimulate better thinking about banking and business ethics after the global financial crisis.