The financial crisis still haunts us but Brexit is doomed to have an even bigger impact

There are reasons to feel very nervous about Britain’s future

As well as writing for Voices, I usually pen at least one, sometimes more, financial comment every day. One thing that often strikes me as I write these columns is how loudly the chains of the ghosts of the financial crisis are rattling, even though we are 10 years on from the event.

The fingerprints of the crisis are all over two important stories haunting financial markets today. The first is the attempt to merge Deutsche Bank with its smaller rival Commerzbank, in a bid to pull the former institution out of its funk. The move is being backed by Germany’s government and could see thousands of jobs cut, with the axe falling particularly heavily upon the bank’s sizeable London operation.

Deutsche is a real worry for the watchdogs. It’s huge, and if there was another snafu, watch out. It could ultimately cause one. Regardless, a wilting Deutsche would be a real danger. Lehman Brothers? A slight squall by comparison. There aren’t many who believe the merger will work.