The Natural History Museum in West London has become the venue of choice for award ceremonies in the investment banking industry. Legal Week chose it to present its annual awards last month, as did Barclays Capital for its annual fashion show for charity. Last week, Euromoney magazine gave bankers and journalists the opportunity to reflect on mortality as they gazed at the 232 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton in the main hall during its annual awards dinner.

Citigroup walked off with the best bank award while Barclays Capital was presented with the 'most improved bank of the year' award. Master of ceremonies Stephen Fry, the English writer and comedian, was quick to point out that all the 'most improved' awards clearly implied that the recipients were a shambles last year.