Northern Rock - unique or just unlucky

Like many, I've been watching the growing crisis at Northern Rock with great interest and a little awe at the effect a financial problem in America's mortgage industry can have on individuals in Britain. Looking at the shares though, Northern Rock's halved in price over the last few months - it wasn't just since last week that the trouble became clear to the well-informed.

No matter how many calming statements from the Bank, the Treasury and the FSA, you can't really blame savers for being twitchy, even if they know deep down that the government wouldn't dare allow a bank this size to actually collapse. Luckily for Thanet the nearest branch is in Brighton, so it's unlikely to cause too much personal panic on the Isle.

And I'm very impressed at the financial skills of the couple who marched in to the manager's office and demanded their £1 million, in cash, instantly. Haven't they seen It's a Wonderful Life?