Northern Rock - Not difficult to sympathise with people

DESPITE all the high-level assurances about the security of their funds it is not difficult to have sympathy with the fretful people queuing outside Northern Rock branches.

How many of us would have the composure to accept the promises that all is well and that our savings are secure?

That these assurances come from the very highest level of the British financial and banking systems should be cause for optimism. It is reasonable to expect that deposits held by a bank approved by the relevant authorities are safe.