Story perspectives

Lehman Trader’s Chaotic Pre-Bankruptcy Day Ends with Chocolate Spree

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lehman trader Bobby Seagull arrived at Canary Wharf on 15 September 2008, the day before the bank's bankruptcy, and described the morning as chaotic with no contact from American colleagues.
He bought a trolley and spent his £300 vending-machine card on chocolates, fearing the card would become defunct.
Thousands of colleagues packed boxes, creating a crisis image that contributed to business failures, millions of job losses and a post-war recession.

1 of 1

Story summary

Lehman trader Bobby Seagull arrived at Canary Wharf on 15 September 2008, the day before the bank's bankruptcy, and described the morning as chaotic with no contact from American colleagues.
He bought a trolley and spent his £300 vending-machine card on chocolates, fearing the card would become defunct.
Thousands of colleagues packed boxes, creating a crisis image that contributed to business failures, millions of job losses and a post-war recession.