Urgent need for change from banks

I HEARD over the weekend of a local lady, a long-time employee of one of our major banks, who works part time and is terrified to attend her place of employment and having to face irate customers.

We have the heads of Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland saying that their staff will be on hand in some cases to some unearthly hour in order to placate customers. These bosses, along with their cohorts one step down, ought to have to go and face some of their customers on the shop floor – if they dare.

Personally I would not dream of using online banking – and that from a former building society manager. As regards the wheelers and dealers fixing things to their own ends, surely this is illegal? If not, it should speedily be made a criminal offence.

From: Geoffrey F Bryant, Queen Street, Barton-on-Humber.

MY Shorter Oxford Dictionary defines arrogance as “the taking of too much upon oneself as one’s right; undue assumption of dignity, authority or knowledge; aggressively conceited, presumption or haughtiness”.

Could not the editors of that dictionary be asked to add to that definition “acting like a British banker”? The dictionary further quotes an exemplary statement by Gibbon – “their arrogance was soon humbled by misfortune.” I for one, and I imagine many others, will not be happy until I see a significant clutch of British bankers led into a court in handcuffs.

From: TM Driffield, Bagby, Thirsk.

THE outpourings of shock and dismay over bankers’ fixing of the Libor rate are amusing. Politicians and lawyers wringing their hands, it is the world they inhabit.

Politicians lie to get elected with no sanction save in a few years time they will be voted out of office, only to go on to tell bigger lies in Europe with no sanction at all

If they stuck to doing the basics well, instead of empire building, we may have a chance. Until we, the general populace, find a way to effectively shackle these scoundrels may the good Lord help us!

From: David Collins, Lower Common Lane, Scissett.

I HOPE the banks are not going to wait for legislation before they get their house in order.

As far as I am concerned, this is the last chance for Britain’s bankers. One simple action to show they are taking it seriously would be to move staff around.

All City of London directors and department heads should be moved out on block, they should be replaced with regional directors.

No point moaning about loss of skills as the City seems to have no skill other than avarice.

If the banks don’t come up with something radical, then they eventually will be even more awash with regulation-based paperwork.

None of the current regulations seem to impact on behaviour just more paperwork.

None of the current political parties seem to be able to pass legislation that isn’t just a paper chase. Filling in forms isn’t an answer to anything, it is a panacea for those who want to make it look as though action has been taken.

Firm lit up a great day

From: Christine Dutton, Knotty Lane, Lepton, Huddersfield.

A YOUNG family friend, Callum Parkinson, was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in Hunslet.

Quite a large group of family, friends and old school teachers met bright and early to cheer him on. We had been told we could park at Contego Packaging on Middleton Road. However, we did not expect the hospitality we received from this company.

From the very helpful man on the gate to the friendly canteen staff who served those of our group who required it, a “full English” or just a cup of coffee, and those employees whose places we were taking in the canteen, everyone was pleasant and cheerful.

So, to Contego Packaging, I would like to say thank you so much for making an emotional occasion extra special.