The price of oil might be heading towards $100 per barrel but that doesn't seem to be blunting some bankers' appetites for fuel-guzzling vehicles. Nor is their ability to make money necessarily linked to good taste when spending it, as evidenced by the recent purchase of a stretch Hummer by London-based Citigroup managing director Valentin Ehmer.
As if the extra length wasn't enough – the standard model is after all 17 feet long – the bank's head of fixed income and derivative products also specified gullwing doors – like those on vehicles such as the 1950s' Mercedes 300SL or the 1980s' Delorean. Rumour has it that the doors do not open fully, so Ehmer has to limbo dance to get in.
Ehmer was in the news recently when he joined the board of English Championship football club Queen's Park Rangers. We fervently hope he doesn't try to drive the vehicle through the narrow streets of west London that lead to the club's Loftus Road stadium.
Euromoney has not yet found out if Ehmer's Hummer has a fireplace installed. If you want one added, Valentin, there's a picture above to show you.