Bankers as accountable as a negligent doctor

On Thursday, Jan 2, the banking hierarchy threatened customers in arrears with their mortgage repayments to voluntarily surrender possession of their homes and hand the keys back to the bank.

On the following day, Friday, Jan 3, the Bank of Ireland threatened people who had overdrafts (but the bank had the temerity to call this threat a clarification). They have reserved the ‘right’ to demand a full repayment at any time, and may stop any payments that might put an overdraft overdrawn and without having to warn the customer.

This is banking customer service.

When a person proposes to undertake a strenuous physical endurance, they usually go to, or are sent by their employers to, a doctor for a medical test.

The doctor examines them, both physically and mentally, and gives his judgement as to whether he considers it wise for them to undergo the strenuous duty.

If the doctor gives the wrong advice, he will be held accountable. During the boom years, ordinary people, who had little financial knowledge, applied to borrow money as a mortgage from the bank.

They filled in an application and attended an interview, where they were interviewed and assessed by a high-powered, educated official.

It was his duty to make certain that the applicant was not undertaking a task for which he was not fit. If a doctor can be sued, why not the banks?

Is it not time that we took the bull by the horns and sought justice for the people who were misled by greedy, pompous banks?

Richard Prendergast

Rathcormac

Co Cork