Bad Banks (2018)

Trader's Film Library #74 · Drama series. Europe's answer to “Industry”: investment banking from the inside, only in Frankfurt.

Original title: Bad Banks · Type: series (2 seasons, 2018–2020) · Created by: Oliver Kienle (creator), Christian Schwochow (director) · Usefulness for traders: ★★★★☆

What it's about

Jana Liekam (Paula Beer), an ambitious structured-products specialist, loses her job at a bank in Luxembourg and gets a new chance at an investment bank in Frankfurt. Her career takes off rapidly, and every new deal requires her to push her own boundaries. The second season shows banking after the crisis, in an era of tighter regulation. A ZDF and ARTE series, two seasons of six episodes.

What it has to do with markets

One of the best-received European series about finance. It shows how complex products are created, who profits from them, who bears the risk and how pressure for results shifts the boundaries of a whole team.

Lessons for traders

• a complex product you don't understand is a risk, not an opportunity
• pressure for results changes decisions: set your rules before you enter, not during the trade
• check who bears the risk and who takes the bonus – and which side you're on

What to watch out for

A drama with thriller elements. The mechanics of the financial products are shown only briefly.

Discussion

The discussion takes place in Hetman Capital Club (in Polish). Join the discussion in the Club →

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The description outlines the plot without revealing the ending where possible (true stories have a known outcome). Educational content, not investment advice.