How can structured product providers get their act together?

When I was growing up the subject of ‘polarising' debates - hot button issues guaranteed to turn us into a steaming potage of rage - was largely reserved for flying saucers and curly wurlies.

I loved both, whereas everyone on my economics course (yes, these debates raged on past my teenage years) thought flying saucers were the worst things since… sherbert fountains (which I also quite liked). The ferocity of these responses – I was once called a pervert for liking curly wurlies – was not really ever rivaled until the last few years when a new hot button subject reared its head – structured products. Mention these two words to perfectly respectable investment professionals and they suddenly turn red. “Don’t get me started” and “You must be mad” tend to be proffered followe...