The whole UK banking chirade has been set up purely for their own fat cat bonuses. Not an iota of interest for the customers or clients. The banking bosses should be putting the hands in their pockets to pay back the bonuses that they have manipulated to get us into this mess. A full investigation should be held for pure malpractice and incompetence . The UK banking system has laughing stock of the world run by people who havn't got a clue except for lining their own pockets .

jimmy , derby ,

At a combined household income of £70k plus, I had always wondered why we struggled to match luxuries of some friends/family. Now I know the answer - we have no credits outstanding, apart from a mortgage. But who will pay for the luxuries that others bought, but cannot now repay? Not with my savings! And if there is "nothing to worry", why are the big banks rushing for BOE cash? Mr Darling - it is time for calm indeed!!

Babu Mukhopadhyay, Glasgow, UK

Remember that investors who bought Bear Stearns lost about 98% of their money this year, so they did not get "bailed out" by the US tax payer. The "bail out" was more an injection of money into the system to stop it from seizing up completely, and the customers of Bear Stearns getting defaults on their deals. This would have had wider implications for the worlds banking system. This crisis of liquidity in the system is what is driving up the mortgage repayments.

Jon, london,

Most postings on this board do not understand. Blaming banks for making profits is like castigating tigers for eating meat. The fault lies with the regulators, the Bank of England and especially the government. Frankly, government lending policies have been the most wreckless of all. And of course, the majority was not complaining when house prices doubled as a result of profligate lending. Sadly, whether it is palatable or not, the problem now lies with everybody. If the banks fail, the economy fails. It is as simple as that.

Richard, London,

Of course, let those greedy banks go bust, then we can all witness the onset of a real depression for a very long time, bringing down pension funds who currently are heavily invested in banks, along with government finances being torn to shreds, not forgetting cutomers, both individuals and business at home and abroad along with building societies who hold their funds with banks lose most money, as well as the effect on the stock market. Be careful what you wish for.

Andy, Glasgow, UK

Let them all go under, serves them right for their irresponsible lending policies. Why should the ordinary taxpayer contribute anything towards private enterprises which have done nothing but get richer at our expense.

Message to everyone in the UK - please all go to your local banks and withdraw all your funds. Then lets all dance with glee as these fat banks all crash. Afterwards, we reinvest our funs in a national bank, a girobank, run by the state.

Roger Knapman, Newcastle, EU

I have seen no comment on the effects of pumping all this extra cash into the economy, along with lowering interest rates will have upon the rate of inflation.
Anyone out there who can explain this one?

Glenn, Wales,

15% would be fine, that was waht they charged us in the early 1990 so let the tax payers benefit for a change - or let the banks sink.

Steve, London,

Golden Rule for central banks:

Lend willingly, but lend expensively.

Lend to the banks, but at 4% over base so that, all being well, the taxpayer will ultimately benefit.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

The banks have brought this entirely upon themselves and deserve no sympathy. As building societies are less geared than the banks, they are a safer place to keep your savings.

Paul, Coventry,