MUCH has been written about the mis-selling of pensions and endowments by the assurance companies. Strong words have been spoken about their methods of "ripping-off" the public.

But what about the banks? How helpful and honest are they?

I do not have an overdraft, and so when the Halifax bounced a cheque for £1, in spite of the fact that there was money in my account, it charged me £30 for doing this. Then because I became overdrawn, it charged me £28 for having an unauthorised overdraft.

Two days later, its credit department wrote to me stating, because of my position, if I did not pay £63 into my account within seven days, I would have my account closed and a summons would be issued to recover the bank's funds.

Anthony R Forshaw,

Financial services, mortgages and insurance,

Manor Close,

Upper Poppleton,

York.

Updated: 11:58 Saturday, May 22, 2004