Global finance 'as vulnerable' as in 2008: ex-ECB chief On 15 September 2008, Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, detonating the worst financial crisis since World War II. Europe's top central banker at the time Jean-Claude Trichet, who was then President of the European Central Bank, found himself on the front line. Ten years later, he has expressed alarm at the current global financial situation, which he believes is more vulnerable than during 2007-2008. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES