In this video, I explore the infamous case of Nick Leeson, the rogue trader who single-handedly brought down Barings Bank, Britain's oldest merchant bank, in 1995. This shocking financial disaster reveals how one trader's hidden losses spiraled to $1.3 billion, destroying a 233-year-old institution that had survived both World Wars.

Learn how organizational weaknesses and poor supervision enabled this historic collapse. The video examines Leeson's background, prison sentence, and his remarkable post-prison transformation. Special focus on lessons for modern traders and financial institutions about addressing losses immediately rather than hiding them. I share Leeson's current perspective and how his story continues to influence risk management in global finance today.

 


Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trading forex carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade any such leveraged products, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading on margin, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD could test 1.1750 amid strengthening bullish bias

EUR/USD could test 1.1750 amid strengthening bullish bias

EUR/USD remains flat after two days of small losses, trading around 1.1740 during the Asian hours on Thursday. On the daily chart, technical analysis indicates a strengthening of a bullish bias, as the pair continues to trade within an ascending channel pattern.

GBP/USD consolidates above mid-1.3300s as traders await BoE and US CPI report

GBP/USD consolidates above mid-1.3300s as traders await BoE and US CPI report

The GBP/USD pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.3310 area, or a one-week low, and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3370 region, down less than 0.10% for the day, as traders opt to wait on the sidelines ahead of the key central bank event risk and US consumer inflation data.

USD/JPY stretches higher toward 156.00 as traders await US CPI

USD/JPY stretches higher toward 156.00 as traders await US CPI

USD/JPY extends its upswing toward 156.00 in the Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar attempts a tepid bounce against the Japanese Yen amid profit-taking ahead of the US CPI data due later in the day and Friday's BoJ policy announcements.  


Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD stays weak near 0.6600 amid softer risk tone, ahead of US CPI

AUD/USD stays weak near 0.6600 amid softer risk tone, ahead of US CPI

AUD/USD remains under pressure near 0.6600 in the Asian session on Thursday amid a softer risk tone, lending some support to the safe-haven US Dollar. China's economic woes also undermine the Aussie, though the RBA's hawkish stance limits losses. The focus now is on the US CPI data release. 

USD/JPY stretches higher toward 156.00 as traders await US CPI

USD/JPY stretches higher toward 156.00 as traders await US CPI

USD/JPY extends its upswing toward 156.00 in the Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar attempts a tepid bounce against the Japanese Yen amid profit-taking ahead of the US CPI data due later in the day and Friday's BoJ policy announcements.  

Gold declines on profit-taking, USD strength ahead of US CPI release

Gold declines on profit-taking, USD strength ahead of US CPI release

Gold price edges lower below $4,350 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The precious metal retreats from seven-week highs amid some profit-taking and a rebound in the US Dollar (USD). The potential downside for the yellow metal might be limited after the recent US jobs data reinforce market expectations of further interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and drag the USD lower. 

Top Crypto Losers: Pump.fun, SPX6900, Bittensor slide further with double-digit losses

Top Crypto Losers: Pump.fun, SPX6900, Bittensor slide further with double-digit losses

Pump.fun, SPX6900, and Bittensor are leading the losses in the cryptocurrency market over the last 24 hours amid total liquidations of over $500 million. The retail segment alleges institutional manipulation amid an early-morning Bitcoin sell-off routine in the US market.

Monetary policy: Three central banks, three decisions, the same caution

Monetary policy: Three central banks, three decisions, the same caution

While the Fed eased its monetary policy on 10 December for the third consecutive FOMC meeting, without making any guarantees about future action, the BoE, the ECB and the BoJ are holding their respective meetings this week. 

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