the banks were not allowed to have monopoly in the financial markets like now. many years ago..there were hundreds of brokerage firms and investment firms and no single firm or group of firms could manipulate the market. if you don't know...there are 5 people who control the market...and they make money on assets managed...that is where the big money is made...the profits in wall street isn't made in daytrading or even trading for the wall street who make their living.. it's made in trading against and skimming client orders. trading commissions, management fees and no risk HFT machines...wall street doesn't have any risk. if they do lose money it's not their money. it's th firms money(shareholders') money..or taxpayers money if they need to be bailed out. there are no rules anymore in wall street..the rules are what benefits the old boys network...or who own the house...the market...it's wild wild west the rules don't apply to everyone or rules don't apply equally or rules are no longer enforceable.