SIR — It has been a sickening, worrying and traumatic time for many people due to the problems in the financial world. How the mighty have fallen and many local people will be affected by the Lloyds/Halifax merger to bail out Halifax. The boss of the new

SIR - It has been a sickening, worrying and traumatic time for many people due to the problems in the financial world. How the mighty have fallen and many local people will be affected by the Lloyds/Halifax merger to bail out Halifax.

The boss of the new proposed giant would be well advised to visit Harpenden - yes Harpenden! A morning spent at HBS (Harpenden Building Society) would be time well spent. He would find out what people want; what makes people respect their financial provider; and what makes good service and confidence which has provided the success of HBS (Herts Advertiser, September 18).

Then he should multiply that a million times for his new behemoth of a company and hopefully create a successful giant.

P.H. FIELD,

St Stephens Avenue, St Albans.