There have been lots of stories lately about banks having financial problems.

But have you noticed that the vast majority are former building societies?

When this conversion was first allowed, concerns were raised by many that it was asking for trouble because the skills required to run a bank differ greatly from those required to run a building society - banking is far more cut-throat.

Money talks, of course, and there were plenty of mugs (sorry, gullible customers) who took the short term bribes (sorry, financial inducements) to allow conversion to full bank status.

So should we sympathise with their current financial predicament?

More importantly, should we be allowing this incredibly inept Government to prop up these inept financial institutions with billions of our money for short-term political gain?

Michael Heavey Oxford Road Old Marston Oxford