VW had clear intent to defraud both customers and the government. It is also becoming apparent that this intent was at the very least known if not sanctioned, at the very least by their refusal to stop the activity or admit the activity, by increasingly senior people. The banking crisis, which as many have pointed out was far more damaging, I suspect is far harder to prove the intent and knowledge of breaking laws...in fact even what laws. Reckless beyond belief? Yes. Punishable under the law? I expect much harder a standard to prove. Should more individual bankers have suffered major financial pain and hardship? Absolutely. I think that is why the governments are pursuing all fines they can in areas where breaking the law is easier to prove (LIBOR fixing, etc...). At least it is something. BTW...the new US administration seems to think less regulation (banking and EPA) will solve these problems?