They're not authors, but they help you shape your financial story.

They're not an airline, but they connect global businesses across nearly 160 local markets.

They're not interpreters that they listen to and understand their client's needs.

With global expertise and over two centuries of experience, Citi provides tools, insights and

guidance that helps clients thrive.

They're not just any bank.

They are city.

Learn more at city.com slash we are city.

The Economist.

From The Economist in London, this is Money Talks, a weekly conversation around themes in the worlds of business, finance and economics.

I'm Stan Pinyall, the banking editor, and welcome to the first installment of our end-of-year specials.

Identifying the bad guy in Hollywood films is remarkably easy.

He's either the one with a British accent or the guy working in finance.

From Gordon Gekko to Jordan Belfort by way of Duke and Duke the crooked commodities traders in trading places,

financiers seemingly cannot get a break on screen.

The exception, of course, is the Christmas Time Classic. It's a wonderful life with its dedicated community banker George Bailey

adored by the good folk of Bedford Falls even though he absentmindedly mislays 8,000 dollars of their savings

Philip Kogan usually found writing our Buttonwood column,

has written for our Prospero blog about Finance of the Movies.

He joins me now, along with Oliver Morton,

our briefings editor and resident film buff.

Philip, let's start with you.

...