António Horta-Osório said the “next generation” should regard banking “as an industry that helps to build economic wealth and [play] its part as a useful member of our local communities.”
However, the Portugal-born banker said a number of students had been put off a future in the industry following a number of scandals, including attempts to rig the Libor rate and the mis-selling of financial products such as payment protection insurance.
Citing a YouGov survey suggesting a quarter of students saying they would be too embarrassed to tell friends if they were going to work in a bank, Horta-Osório said: “This is a very worrying result. It’s my contention that banking – retail banking particularly – remains one of the most satisfying careers there is, specially for someone that likes strategy, economics and consumer businesses.
“We want the best and the brightest to see banking as a credible career choice. This is vital for the industry’s long-term viability.”
Horta-Osório’s comments came as the bailed-out bank announced that its chairman, Sir Win Bischoff, was intending to retire next year.
