This is a false dichotomy and sugarcoating. The article is not just about banks being reckless, but about criminal fraud committed wilfully and with intent by Chase's high ranking personnel. And they not only got away with it, but also profited from the aftermath.

So the real situation here is the opposite. People with money and power get even more while everyone dependent on them suffers from their actions. It's outrageous and what should happen is criminal persecution of responsible individuals, not fines for corporation which don't touch people in charge and as you say "take down the economy".