“My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks,” said Barack Obama according to stunned bankers summoned to the White House in March.

For all their supposed influence, these masters of the universe proved to be lightweights at deflecting public anger while the politician berating them was a master at harnessing it. Then at the height of his popularity, as Wall Street’s reputation was plumbing new depths, he was capable of costing them their jobs, their wealth and what was left of their reputations. Wall Street would be reshaped as Washington saw fit.