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Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 08:09 GMT 08:09 UK

What nonsense ! shuffling around the branches and relabelling them will change nothing the banking system as had ubcontrolled freedom to operate as they wish and we now have the results.
Brown has had 3 years to ponder over the problem and hasn't produced a new operating charter for the Financial market. all he has done is plugged the leaks by printing paper money.
The Streets of London have been paved with Gold and the Foriegn Finaciers have ben picking it up by the bucket full.

Edward Dowty, Kings Lynn, United Kingdom

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 06:34 GMT 06:34 UK

No the EU directed sell off wil just line even more pockets in Europe. At present only a few of our financial institutions are run by foreigners, like Abbey is by the Spanish, I for one will be looking for another bank is this disreputable government allows our banks to be sold to Europe and I would also be pleased if they renationalised the utilities that are owned by foreigners (without compensation) as they have ripped us off enough.

John Barton, Alnwick, United Kingdom

Added: Thursday, 5 November, 2009, 06:09 GMT 06:09 UK

Well I think Lloyds TSB should be compensated for becoming a ruined bank. Brown forced this on them giving them no time for due diligence and look at them now.... How do Brown and Darling stay in office having totally ruined a British Bank by their mismanagement?

[KAOwen], Bristol, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 22:47 GMT 22:47 UK

"Time for a vote of non-confidence in this government, before they do more to ruin the nation." Roger, Sheffield

Providing that expression of a lack of national confidence includes the Tories and LibDems, both of which have shown a complete lack of any real change of direction in their economic policies since the slump and associated failure of banks.

Cobbett Rides Again, Malvern, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 22:26 GMT 22:26 UK

No concerns at all, go in and win! The pigs are merely chomping at the bit to get their bank accounts in the trough.

This news only concerns capitalists, it will make absolutely no difference to the remaining 95% of the population.

gary170459, Derby, UK

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 22:22 GMT 22:22 UK

After the ongoing financial farces, I am surprised that people as a whole are even considering the idea of lending even more money after having already been stung not once, not twice, but repeatedly by the same bankers that got us into this whole mess in the first place. I have no faith in this system anymore. I do NOT want my taxes to go anywhere near these rip-off merchants but as with everything else in the UK even as a law abiding citizen and voter I have no say in what happens to my money.

Marcus Suitor, London, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 22:12 GMT 22:12 UK

"Everyone who lives in the UK should automatically be a shareholder in these new banks.
David Hannemann, Glasgow

Yep they should, but this is the reality of public ownership. Our govt bought shares with our money and our govt are the ones who'll get the say.

State interest and public interest are very different things and lets face it, the public don't share the same interests. This is the reality of nationalisation. Thatcher was right, there is no such thing as society.

asterix

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 21:37 GMT 21:37 UK

"Why are we concerned about the lack of bonuses driving out banking 'talent'. Didn't that 'talent' cause the problem in the first place? Alec Bowden, Heswall"

Hey, I see another reality TV show here. Forget "The Apprentice", I give you - "Britain's Got Banking Talent"! Operator? Simon Cowell, please.

[dudeiancan]

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 21:32 GMT 21:32 UK

New or old, banks will only help themselves. The banking industry exists to cream the vast majority of wealth off of the top of society, leaving everyone else to crawl around after scraps. They are the enemy. Treasonous filth!

Bob

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 21:20 GMT 21:20 UK

if banks had put money into help increase industry instead of investing in non gaurantee projects we would not bein the position we are now .we need to invest in making for ourselves and cut down on imports, making jobs here and not in other countries

brian feary, northampton, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 21:13 GMT 21:13 UK

'dudeiancan' is wrong to say this: "Economics is an inexact science". Nothing is more exact than figures and maths of figures, that any computer can tell you. The trouble is: the figures are being manipulated by unscrupulous ones who think they have a system that will make them more money with no outlay. The simple equation if you are lender is spread the risk and feel the collateral that is covering the deal. If you are a borrower ask yourself: can I repay it? Are some guarantees in place? etc.

Roy Smith, Tauranga, New Zealand

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 21:11 GMT 21:11 UK

There's been a lot of talk from this government about "the British taxpayer owning" various institutions. We "own" squiggly dit - most of the UK industry, or what is left of it, is owned by foreign companies. The taxpayer is forced to prop up these failing organisations for the fat-cats to reap unwarranted rewards and these so-called new banks will go the same way. It's a damned disgrace.

[Brianofthecam], Cambridge, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 20:52 GMT 20:52 UK

I worked at RBS a few years ago at a time when, we all know now, they were loosing millions of pounds a day.

And the focus of the management ?

Making sure people kept their desk space clear and tidy !

John Doe, Chelmsford

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 20:27 GMT 20:27 UK

"Why are we concerned about the lack of bonuses driving out banking 'talent'. Didn't that 'talent' cause the problem in the first place?"

You've got to realise that the working conditions and job satisfaction for bankers are so terribly poor that no-one would do these jobs without some vast rewards. The issue isn't whether they'd go to another bank but whether they'd give up banking entirely and go for a more intellectually rewarding job like a dustbinman or toilet cleaner.

James T Kirk

Added: Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 19:19 GMT 19:19 UK

"What are the EU doing about Santander who appear to be allowed to build their empire in the UK." - Ah well, they're european you see (as opposed to UK), so EU rules don't apply. You'll see even more of this than you could ever imagine now we've been sold to the EU fully.

[numenius], England, United Kingdom