Bankers at last year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, played the roles of bogeymen. French President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out at their "indecent behaviour" and "morally indefensible" pay packages.

The bankers aren't likely to win any popularity contests at this year's gathering at the Swiss ski resort. But they are hoping some of the stigma of having helped plunge the world into a financial crisis has faded.