Credit Suisse trader prepares motorbike evacuation and other takes of banker bravura from Japan
The situation in Japan is highlighting the resilience and courage of the Japanese people. It is also highlighting the determination of some financial services professionals to keep working in the face of adversity.
Hence, the Telegraph came across Michael Summons, a director at Credit Suisse in Tokyo, who claims to have a, "motorbike full of petrol," on standby if it becomes necessary to outrun a radiation cloud.
Summons, 47, appears to epitomise the hard-living trader, and lists his hobbies as 'cider, skateboarding, girls, fags and British bulldog.'
Keep working, for there is money to be made
Separately, Alphaville reports that US banks are keen to keep their people in Japan, and that there is big money to made.
One Tokyo trading desk allegedly made ten times the usual amount this week. Possibly with this in mind, JPMorgan is reputedly allowing its staff to sleep in the office; Goldman is said to be offering its people food.
On Wednesday, the head of HR at one US bank told us all their Japanese-based staff, bar a few, were still working. "If something terrible happens with the reactors, we will obviously help people to relocate. But at this point, they are just getting on with and doing a great job for their country and their firm," he said.
There are some signs of disgruntlement about this. Yesterday, Alphaville said it had spoken to 'more than 15 people' at investment banks who said they were unhappy with the insistence on business as usual and wanted to leave.
Off to Osaka
One Tokyo-based headhunter, who's currently staying in the UK with his parents and working remotely, said a lot of Japanese bankers and expats in Japan have moved to Osaka with their wives and children.
"There doesn't seem to be a bit exodus of people on a permanent basis. I think people are still in a wait and see holding pattern," he told us.
Depending upon the situation, he said he fully intends to go back to Tokyo at the end of next week.
