Except if it is a too-big-to-fail bank and there is systematic risk, the taxpayers will have to bail it out. A bank that controls half a nation's banking is systematic. The government will bail it out. If things get bad, the EU/ECB will bail it out.
One of the benefits of running large banks ( and insurers ) is "privatize profits and socialized losses". These bankers and insurers can't lose. If they gamble and win, they get the rewards. If they gamble and lose, everyone else has to foot the bill.
One of the benefits of running large banks ( and insurers ) is "privatize profits and socialized losses". These bankers and insurers can't lose. If they gamble and win, they get the rewards. If they gamble and lose, everyone else has to foot the bill.