Once again, I was glad to see a program dealing with banking issues. Furthermore, I would love Dispatches to question the 'Banking Code.' This is an extremely serious issues that needs to be addressed. There are so many reasons for Banking arrogance and the 'Banking Code' does more to protect the banking industry than what it is supposed to do to protect YOU the consumer. The Banking Code fails to be specific in banking practices and procedures it therefore allows a bank o arrogantly fail your business once it has agreed to lend. When I question the Banking Code Standards Board about an outstanding case I have with a bank and asked whether they were able to suggest, under the banking code, whether the 'code' applies or addresses my area of concern, instead of them responding laying out these areas they refered me to the Ombudsman. The British Bankers Association does the same thing. Nobody wants to be direct with the Banking Code... and the banks is aware of this flaw. Just like the Dispatches presenter last night who said "nobody knew who was in charge!" The Financial Ombudman, Banking Code Standards Board and the British Bankers Association is a similar equation. Good for the banks, but BAD for the consumer in areas of redress, transparency and fairness. Dispatches needs to seriously address the Banking Code for what is really is.

I totally agree, but this government are too enamoured of business and banking interests.

Chances that someone will profit from Northern Rock and it will not be the taxpayer?

Banks... are running-scared of their negligence in walking-away from twice-income & 10% cash-deposit mortgages; real-world terrace, flats... properties crashing to UK£30k or less, with more expensive [though not top-end] properties similarly adjusted.

Northern Rock is a good example of what happens when investors, shareholders... are spooked.

Andersen & like 'creative' accountants, auditors... make portfolios appear fantastic; remember 1929?

The addage 'shares can go down as well as up' was true then & remains so now.

The biggest (and cleverest) con is the CREDIT CARD - when quite clearly it is a Debt Card. For decades people have been encouraged to borrow money to get what they want (and actually can't afford) in order to detract from the fact that their incomes are quite simply inadequate. When we know that utilities bills take 10% of our income, rent/mortage 50%, and taxation 30% leaving us with 20% of our income to live on ..............