At first glance, the recent career paths of the European bankers who masterminded last year’s audacious €72bn ($98bn, £64bn) takeover and break-up of ABN Amro could hardly be more different.

With chaos sweeping through global markets, Sir Fred Goodwin resigned as chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland and apologised to investors after his bank was rescued by the UK government. Maurice Lippens stepped down as Fortis chairman as that bank’s operations were nationalised in the Netherlands and put up for sale by the Belgian authorities.