INVESTMENT bankers have been ordered to stop showing off or they could face an abrupt check on their highly-paid careers.

Colin Fan, head of the markets division at Deutsche Bank, warned he was fed up of their "boastful, indiscreet and vulgar" behaviour and said it wouldn't be tolerated.

The blunt personal video message from Mr Fan to all staff in the division, which was revealed by the Financial Times, warned employees that their emails, conversations and conduct would all be scrutinised.

It reflects anxiety within the financial sector over corporate reputations as regulators rake over records and emails in the wake of scandals such as Libor rate-rigging.

Mr Fan said: "This is an important message. You need to pay close attention. It's about how you communicate in this company.

"You may not realise it but right now, because of regulatory scrutiny all your communications may be reviewed.

"This includes your emails, your conversations, and your conduct. All of this is open to scrutiny.

"Let's be clear: our reputation is everything. Being boastful, indiscreet and vulgar is not OK. It will have serious consequences for your career and I have lost patience on this issue.

"Think carefully about what you say and how you say it. If not, it will have serious consequences for you personally."

The bank said in a statement: "A new culture is taking hold, step by step, here at Deutsche Bank.

"The substance and tone of this video is intentionally direct and is part of an ongoing programme."