THE way that the banks operate, and the way that they are unwilling to change their ways when it comes to speculative investments, has caused the economic troubles we are in, and may well prolong them.

The measures the Government has taken have been well intentioned, but they are ineffective.

Governments have been outclassed by smarter brains.

It strikes me that these days governments and politicians have a good deal to say, but they are not in a position to make the changes to how the financial system works so that finance is the servant of the economy rather than its master.

Were it ever suggested that the most irresponsible people should hold the reins it would be laughed out of court, but this seems to be the present-day reality, with the very people who should be promoting financial rectitude doing the exact opposite.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.