How One Trader Destroyed Britain's Oldest Bank With $1.4 Billion Loss

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]In 1995, a 28-year-old trader destroyed Britain's oldest bank with a computer and a gambling addiction. Nick Leeson worked for Barings Bank in Singapore.

[00:00:09]233 years of history, survived Napoleon, survived two World Wars. Leeson was making unauthorized trades, losing millions. But instead of confessing, he created a secret account, error account 88888.

[00:00:25]Every loss went there, hidden from London headquarters. The losses kept growing. 10 million, 50 million, 200 million. Leeson doubled down, bet everything on the Japanese stock market.

[00:00:37]Then an earthquake hit Japan. The market crashed. Leeson lost 1.4 billion dollars overnight. The bank collapsed instantly.

[00:00:46]Britain's financial crown jewel destroyed by one man's lies.