Dutch Bankers Swear to God as Trust in Lenders Slumps
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“I swear that I will do my utmost to preserve and enhance confidence in the financial-services industry. So help me God.”
The oath, the first of its kind in Europe, became binding on board members of Dutch banks last month as the government sought to rein in an industry with assets more than four times the size of the country’s economy. All 90,000 Dutch bank employees must take the pledge, or a non-religious affirmation, starting the second half of this year. They’ll be punished should they break new ethical rules, Banking Association Chairman Chris Buijink said in an interview in Amsterdam.