Crisis.. what crisis?

I think the GREEDY BANKERS should now be called SCUM DOG MILLIONAIRES

By Georgie P.. Posted February 9 2009 at 7:29 PM.

All these idiots that have posted comments that HBOS staff should lose their jobs are just the average Joe public feeling sorry for themselves. Sorry the TAXPAYER! Are not HBOS employees taxpayers? The employees that attended the Star Gala, incidentally who the majority of are at the bottom run of the ladder are the people who struggle to pay their mortgages. The people who work hard in a job where they get loads of crap from the public everyday and take abuse. But to be fair dont know anything more than the public about the economic crisis. They havent caused this mess and simply go to work like anyone else. Bet Journalists get their big bonuses this Christmas and have their parties, like everyone else that's here complaining. If the Average Joe who worked for an average salary got invited to a do, bet they'd go! The fat cats aren't the ones crapping themselves over whether they'll be able to pay their mortgage or get made redundant. Just think before you speak!

By leigh.. Posted November 26 2008 at 11:38 PM.

Please ignore earlier post - wasn't meaning to comment to all! Just trying to e-mail to a friend!

By m.. Posted November 17 2008 at 2:41 PM.

Does anyone realise the employees who made trrip as we call it , had to stay back , nearly everyday, missed out on going out countless weekends , and made the most profit, for the company, they thoroughly deserve their yearly getaway, personnaly it just eggs me on to exceed targets and daily , monthly and yearly, as for the piece, only positives stood out for me , same rooms as george clooney , credit crunch or not , my goal is to stay in Britney spears room next, live your own lifes , have some goals and stop whinging

By jamal.. Posted November 15 2008 at 10:42 PM.

I thnk its bloody terrible what theyve done they think they can just go and spend tax payers cash all the top earners should be made to pay back the money it cost to pay for the bash and some of them should lose their jobs i'm a hard working family man and i don't pay taxes so ignorant people can go and enjoy themselves that money could have helped the ones that realy needed help with people struggling with there mortgages there just a load of ungteatfullpeople.

By william mckeen.. Posted November 15 2008 at 9:55 PM.

As an employee of HBOS I can understand how in the current climate it could be seen inappropriate for money to be spent on the annual p*** up. The VAST majority of HBOS employees are not greedy bankers but average tax payers on average salaries. We deserve to be rewarded for the effort and commitment that has been put in this year in the midst uncertainty over takeovers and redudancies. Believe me, the people at the top who have caused this mess will not be the ones making their way to the dole queue.

By I work for HBOS (unlucky for me).. Posted November 14 2008 at 12:56 PM.

Outrageous? The only outrageous thing is exactly how this whole charade has been portrayed!

I congratulate all of the positive people again, and all those who DO realise it is within a person's means to manage their finances properly. Well done to you all.

To those who laughably think I'll be standing in a dole queue tomorrow, think again fools! Even if the worst happened and I found myself out of a job, which, let's be honest is not going to be happening, I would not sign on for anybody, why is that, well because I happen to have savings!!! Yes, savings, I've sacrificed say one night out a week, just to be able to look at my savings account and think, hmm, well managed sunbeam!

I've very much enjoyed this column, just because it has made me realise the amount of pedantic, whining people there actually are in Britain today.

Merry Xmas!

By Chubb Chubb.. Posted November 14 2008 at 5:40 AM.

so what if HBOS had a party for their employees, they deserve it.... i have banked with HBOS for many years and they are fantastic, the customer service i get is great and if 1 night on the town is all these employees get for all the hard work they deserve it and more! Alot of you are on about bank charges if you ran your accout rite you wouldnt get bank charges but suppose alot of you are spunging off the goverment and don't know how to stay within your budget you get what you deserve slap it up ya, if you get these charges also you should'nt have a bank accout cause you can't run it anyway, and cry and try and complain and blame it on someone else when it's your own stuipity that you got the charges. When you don't get your own way for god sake get a life! and if you don't want to get a bank charge simple stay within your limit is that easy or what.

By thomas.. Posted November 14 2008 at 3:44 AM.

I work for another Bank. As a result of this article our Christmas do has been cancelled in case of any negative publicity from Bank staff actually enjoying themselves and having fun - heaven forbid. This is a shame as most Bank staff who are also customers are ordinary hardworking people and this is now often the only social event of the year. For some it may be their last. Imagine also the knock on effect to restaurants and hotels etc across the country if all businesses cancel christmas! Most organisations have similar annual events to HBOS to reward a select few staff who's contribution has been outstanding. In my Bank half of the awards go to staff who have made outstanding contributions to charities or local schemes. Don't newspapers have similar events? And what would the News of the World do if there were no celebrity parties?

By Caz.. Posted November 13 2008 at 11:42 AM.

I work in part of HBOS that is being hit with many redundancies over the next few months and although our annual do has been paid for since last year - it has now been cancelled as it was deamed not to be appropriate in the current financial climate - we work a damn sight harder than the muppets in the banking industry and this is our thanks - no do and redundancy.
Hope you enjoyed your night and the others to come as I doubt they will happen next year - doubt it will be of any concern to me as thanks to the nice friends of Howard I will probably be on the rock and role

By Donald Duck.. Posted November 12 2008 at 1:51 PM.

With the greatest respect bank employees SHOULD be under more pressure at the moment. The banks' greed and irresponsibility has caused this dire predicament we ALL find ourselves in. There is no question that everybody should be allowed a Xmas party but the rest of us pay for our extravagant meals ourselves or the boss throws in a little bit of money for drinks. Not a £330 000 bash in opulence. And what great service and high achievement are they celebrating - this bank like many others has had to ask for public money to bail them out despite their extravagant excesses. Yes they are tax payers and if we could rely on the fact that they were covering all of the services they access via their tax and this bill then perhaps we wouldn't care but your average three year old could tell you that those sums don't add up. They bloomin' well better be passing on the ENTIRE 1.5% from the latest rate cut. I honestly think disgusting behaviour/judgement like this should be referred to the banking regulators.

By Nic.. Posted November 11 2008 at 10:25 AM.

Surely only GBP 330K is not a lot of money. Suggest that the Directors of HBOS pays this out of own pocket. The expenses should not be deducted on income tax.

By henrik.. Posted November 11 2008 at 1:13 PM.

These colleagues work extremely hard day in day delivering great service and have recently had to work harder than ever under immense pressure. They're no doubt all worried about their jobs even they are in no way responsible for HBoS's funding problems which sits higher up.

The people commenting on this page have no idea how hard the job is and the lengths our colleagues go to even when customers are rude to them, and believe me they are at times.

I very much doubt half of the people commenting on here would put up with or could do the job as well so they should keep their comments to themselves.

By Give us a break.. Posted November 10 2008 at 11:14 PM.

I hope the HBOS staff had a great time at the weekend. HBOS staff have raised millions of pounds for charities such as British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, CLIC etc etc. They contribute and pay tax and NI, we are talking about thousands of employees here. The Government get a good amount from them. The public benefit from charities.

Interest rates have been cut and mortgages are cheaper. The average joe blogg is not a share holder and does not have massive savings therefore are actually getting the benefits of the so called credit crunch.

HBOS staff are the bulk of the shareholders, they will decide along with Lloyds whether the take over happens. HBOS staff have lost a lot of money on their shares, they are the ones who have suffered from the credit crunch, which was outwith their control.

Therefore, the staff deserve to be rewarded and recognised. The amount that was spent is just a drop in the ocean to a big company like HBOS.

Each person has the choice as to where they do their financial business. HBOS has always been competitive with the products they offer, so I stay with them as a happy customer. If the staff are made happy then they will make the customer happy.

Those who have wished negative thoughts, you will no doubt get what's due to you in life. Enjoy!!

By yeah but no but.. Posted November 10 2008 at 10:54 PM.

As an HBOS employee, I am absolutely disgusted and dismayed that this event was allowed to go ahead. The sheer extravagance displayed when many people are struggling with their finances, and whilst the current management run the company into the ground, is outrageous. As far as it all being paid for last year, who on earth are these people trying to kid????? No one pays for these things up front, there will have been deposits paid and the final invoices will be sitting on someones desk today to be paid today. There is no one more in favour of rewarding outstanding performance than me, however this was way over the top in the current circumstances.

It doesnt surprise me though, this current management lot have managed to take one of scotlands most outstanding institutions and turn it from a well respected bank with great morals, in to a company that gives not a jot what happens to the majority of its staff and is basically on its kness.

By anon123.. Posted November 10 2008 at 9:51 PM.

As a hbos staff member, i am upset that staff members who work hard day in day out to please customers, who come in to take their agression out on us, have been given such a hard time for being thanked for what we do.
We work extremely hard to give great customer service. Should we give back the chocolates and cakes we get from customers as a thank you??
What is the world coming to.
It is the media who play a part in exaggerating each story to sell their papers.
As for the charges, it is the customers responsibility to take care of their accounts, as we do not offer a babysitting service with our accounts.

By proud hbos staff member.. Posted November 10 2008 at 7:25 PM.

As a share holder and invester I am disgusted at reading this. I can't see how it is allowed to happen by the Board of Directors. It's their responsibility to look after our interests to the best of their ability, if they can't hack it lets get rid of them. I think the whole culture of massive companies like HBOS needs sorting out once and for all.

By Ian Hiller.. Posted November 10 2008 at 5:19 PM.

Another star gala 3rd december at slaley hall northumberland, wondering how much this will make our shares deteriourate further, it all stinks, someones planned this bownfall of hbos. hope it makes it through, sack Andy Hornby!!!

By anonymous.. Posted November 10 2008 at 5:23 PM.

It's a harsh reality that it's so easy to tag hard working, low level employees, as reprehensible, for enjoying the fruits of their labour.

By James HBOS.. Posted November 10 2008 at 4:54 PM.

As a shareholder and investor I cannot believe that the directors of HBOS have allowed this event to continue in the current climate. How out of touch and out of their depth can they be.

By Francis.. Posted November 10 2008 at 4:29 PM.

Am I the only person to be immensely annoyed by the fact that everyone seems to use the word 'loose' instead of 'lose'?

By Douglas Quaid.. Posted November 10 2008 at 3:58 PM.

i am hbos employee. i work hard on the mortgage team-we dont see anything from it though. its only the 'select' few. and i agree it shouldnt happen, last year i know they took employees abroad, did the paper know that??

at halifax we play games to 'motivate' us. i hate it, makes me feel like a kid. some years ago i was taken into a room and told i MUST play the games as its team building. i dont have to play games to build effective relationships!

the money used to pay for this gala should be given to us all and i totally agree but i dont think its right for people to want to sack us, we do what we are told.

By anom.. Posted November 10 2008 at 3:57 PM.

The reality is that the banks are now basket caess. The greed of directors took the banks into risky areas.
Like used car salesen selling dodgy cars and hoping that the result does not rebound on them.
Banks have enormous amounts of infprmation on each and everyone of us. Companies like experian are amazing at collecting info and have upto 60 different facts about each of us.
The directors should resign and their profiles taken so any similar CV is denied a job.
Not just because of their incompetence but worse the arrogance they show.
The bankers at senior level are clearly out of touch with non bankers. If it had cost 300.000 pound to cancell the bash it would have shown common sense. Profile them fire them and put sensible people in charge. Not greedy, self serving unaffected characters. For those people in banks trying to defend the indefensible. Although my position has changed dramatically I am still getting mounds of leaflets offering me loans. The reality is that in certain areas banks are making so much money that it is a numbers game. If a few percent default so what. Banks have been irresponsible.

By Nigel Petty.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:36 PM.

You're right scrumbow, lets get Margaret Thatcher back in charge. You do not know what you are talking about.

By Pudd.. Posted November 10 2008 at 2:17 PM.

My partner was selected to go to the do and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He worked his butt off to get that invite and he deserved every bit of it. The staff may no longer get the opportunity when Halifax becomes Lloyds. Stop being so critical.

By Emma .. Posted November 10 2008 at 2:15 PM.

Errmm... Aren't HBoS employees tax payers too?

By Mr.Pie.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:49 PM.

The Government funds that are to be given to HBOS (and other banks) will help the entire market. It may well be taxpayers money (HBOS staff actually pay tax too believe it or not) but it is going to benefit the ENTIRE COUNTRY by reviving (hopefully) the market for everyone.

By pudd.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:45 PM.

Ex BofS staff, the disdain that the current staff has towards it's clients - "It's your reckless borrowing that has caused" is reprehensible. Chav scum, Mayfair cigs, must have touched a nerve.

The crux is HBOS borrowed massively to keep it as britains no 1, I am told one of these loans is in the high billions, and they did not have the cash to repay it without borrowing again, but no-one will lend to them. Halifax has effectively ruined BofS's good name, any BofS staff from pre 2001 will be aware it was no merger, but a takeover. halifax couldn't get some of bofs's BETTER systems to work, did they try and syncronise, no they just ripped it out and threw them away.

And even after this, the chief Hornby fell on his sword, which must have been a joke, retractable one, as he has bounced back to a £60,000 per month "consultancy role" with Lloyds. These bankers, who should be in jail for fraud, mismanagement and decipt, are just sticking two fingers up the man on the street.

PS must be the first corporate junket that I have heard about where every bill was paid for up front, you don't really expect us to believe that. Pull the other one, it plays Jingle Bells, but not for BofS staff as they are not getting their £20 xmas party money!

By john.. Posted November 10 2008 at 11:23 AM.

In relation to comments on HBOS staff going to the dole queue, maybe there is something your bloggers should realise. HBOS staff, especially longer term ones, from the bottom up, are some of the most coveted employees not only from the banking industry but from any other retail/corporate level. It would be less dole queue, and more other companies making room for these excellent and driven people who have made it their lifes aim to try and help our customers, whom we have a lot of respect for. As for those other individuals who sit all day emailing and passing on chainmails for a living, I would be concerned if 20,000 HBOS staff members were looking for jobs. They actually work from (-8.30)9 till 5 (5.30+).

Oh and secondly, the actual HBOS employees at this meeting are not bankers, in fact they receive an income far below the national average. Should we really be blaming them for having a drink to push aside the worries of a credit crunch that will no doubt be effecting them much more than the average joe? Escapism helps. The £300 per head has already been factored into their wage, it isn't extra spending. Or should we call a prohibition, because if anyone feels that they still want to buy anything you better do it secretively, or people won't be happy.

Thirdly, next time you buy chicken at the supermarket, think about the people who can't afford to buy it. If you still buy it, then commenting on situations such as this is completely contradictory and hypocritical.

By A.. Posted November 10 2008 at 11:57 AM.

I work for GT in HBOS and we have had our xmas party cancelled because of the cost and everything that has been going on (non of which is under our control we do not have any say in how the directors run the place). Because of everything that is going on we are having to work twice as hard and have a very uncertain future. Those in senior positions should be penalised but the general staff should not have to suffer so the rich can get richer. Let us have our xmas parties and unwind for a bit after a stressfull year. It may be our last afterall.

By rupert.. Posted November 10 2008 at 11:49 AM.

to all the HBOS staff and other bank employees who have been thumbing their noses arrogantly at this article - you'll get what's coming to you as the recession bites.

i'll wager there won't be a repeat of these excesses next year as redundancies will increase while the employment market contracts.

maybe when you're joining the benefits queue reality will sink in as well as SORELY needed attitude adjustment.

By observer.. Posted November 10 2008 at 11:26 AM.

As a former employee some 8 years ago in the good old days of honest banking, whilst it might stick in the throat of some people - this expensive bash - this was a reward for a staggering performance for the previous 12 months or so. undoubtedly there would have been a 'selection process' for this bash.

I do object to the stupidly expensive tv ads that hbos are still pumping out on TV. they should save the money and save HBOS's staff jobs with it.

By P Coleman.. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:17 PM.

Some of HBOS staff have already lost their jobs so they are no different to anyone else. This event was booked last year as rightfully stated above. The Star GALA is a reward for all the hard work and committent given throught the year to customers. Plus I think you will find this goes on within many other large companies..

By ........ Posted November 10 2008 at 1:15 PM.

CONTINUED:

The point comes that the gala was not paid out of tax payers money as the government has not given HBoS this money and it was paid for last year. How i feel about people who are complaining about charges and reposessions is that if you live to your means you would not be in this mess in the first place, you are adults so therefor are responsible for your own actions. Don't blame the bank for your own misfortunes.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by myself on this site are wholly mine and are not intended to provide a HBoS view, they are not an official HBoS comment, they are mine alone.

By Becky hbos Employee.. Posted November 10 2008 at 10:54 AM.

I am disgusted to see some of the comments on here from people who have no idea what we as HBoS colleagues have to go through eveyday. You need to understand that we, who are on the phones are in the same situation as everyone else in the country. I have a mortgage how do you think i feel. Im worried i may loose my job and fear everyday how i would cope if that happened. I take pride in the fact that i work full time even though i have a 19 month old and am pregnant. I would never scrounge off the government like a lot of people do. The Star Gala is a recogintion dinner to thank colleagues who have worked hard throughout the year to provide excellent customer service and hit their own targets. I know a few of the people who went and i tell you something they absolutly deserved that ONE night of recognition and the insider well you are really taking the michael, you went to the gala for your hard work then you threw back in everyones faces as you just want to line your own pockets. I really hope you got a lot of money for this as it just shows that not all hbos colleagues are greedy gits its just you.

By Becky HBOS Employee.. Posted November 10 2008 at 10:53 AM.

10th Nov 2008 | 10:42
I feel all the share holder should have all the relevant information complete honesty before a vote is taken because has it stands I feel we are about to be mugged it should be share for share or if posible go it alone

By P Williams.. Posted November 10 2008 at 10:50 AM.

i am too a hbos employee after reading 2 papers yesterday both papers were slating hbos then i read this it seems that all the dregs of socitey will be calling to moan about it thank god i am not at work. The government thinks its doing the right thong but hbos have not even been given the funds yet so why dosent everyone lay off hbos and its staff becase if there were no banks where would you keep your money under the bed i thin not!!!!

By cheesed of hbos employee.. Posted November 10 2008 at 9:57 AM.

HBOS normally contribute £20per person each year for our christmas parties, but because of the credit crunch this year, they have said that they are not willing to pay this. Why do these people deserve all of that and we don't even deserve £20 towards our xmas party? I work in a call centre we have been hit really badly by all the media coverage over the credit crisis, the accusations that HBOS were going bust and the Lloyds TSB deal. We had to deal with extremely high call volumes, people asking us constant questions about the banks position when in reality we had been stuck on the phone all day and they had heard most of it before we even did on the news we only started finding out about the takeover deal when the customers mentioned it. We were the last to know yet had to try answer these questions. Then we had constant calls where people wanted to remove their money. We have worked really hard and don't deserve £20!!

By HBOS Staff Member.. Posted November 10 2008 at 9:57 AM.

the government money is to be paid back in full, with interest . the reason this money is being injected is to enable banks to continue lending to customers. it is a loan so that the public can continue to loan from the banks. this is not money to save hbos, that had already been sorted with the lloyds deal. the whole financial system needed liquidity. if you hope these banks go under you are hoping that small businesses will go under because they will not be able to get finance and people will not be able to buy homes as no mortgages will be available. the counrty would be on its knees and millions would suffer, the taxpayers money is being loaned to save us all!

By amanda.. Posted November 10 2008 at 9:32 AM.

Reading some of the comments on here beggars belief! £300k spend for a company with a turnover in the tens of billions is like some of you work shy chav scum buying 10 Mayfair and a box of matches.

If you hadn't been so keen to mop up the endless lines of credit instead of saving up for stuff you normally wouldn't be able to afford, then perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess.

The people at this bash have worked hard, and have had to deal with alot of the mindless on here no doubt. I think they were probably due a huge party!

You think we screw you now, just wait until we merge with Lloyds.........

By yet another HBOS employee.. Posted November 10 2008 at 9:27 AM.

Why hello Muffin! Contempt for customers, never. I actually like trying to help those who deserve it. I reserve my contempt for idiots like yourself who think customers changing banks will help them be more responsible. Here's an idea, look up responsible in the dictionary. That should help you, although I doubt it will help your talent for vengeful whining!

The only people whining on here are those who feel the need to blame others for their shortcomings and failings, I for one am cheered by it all! Thank you! Well done to all the positive people on this site, glad to know there are still a few out there. To the others who think banks are being greedy, or that we failed, I show you no comtempt, only pity that you have to feel like this to disguise your own inadequacy. Again, thanks all!!!!! Merry Xmas!

By Chubb Chubb.. Posted November 10 2008 at 8:05 AM.

An amazing amount of indignant nonsense from the HBOS employees here. Your bank's senior management screwed things up by taking on other banks' debt that was not repaid. They, and hundreds around the world like them, are the ones that should be fired and jailed for criminal negligence.

And this jolly is a slap in the face for decent, hardworking people who've seen their savings shot to pieces by the actions of these fat cats.

I agree that people shouldn't blame the average HBOS employee for this mess, but by the same token you have to accept that criticism of this sort of wanton waste of money is perfectly justifiable!

By Harry Barracuda.. Posted November 10 2008 at 8:30 AM.

look at the resenftul whining of the HBOS staff on here !

your bank FAILED - it proved unequal to the task of running a financial institution taking other people's money in a proper and responsible manner.

a Receiver should have been appointed to keep sticky fingers out of the till.

the contempt for HBOS customers comes through loud and clear. You think bank customers should behave in a more rational manner with their money ? You mean: change their bank ?

By Muffin.. Posted November 10 2008 at 6:30 AM.

all comments made by L are my own opinions and thoughts and are not intended to provide a HBoS view, they are not an official HBoS comment

By L.. Posted November 10 2008 at 4:31 AM.

sorry It should have read:

history was made this week, and people have more opinions on something that will be mondays chip paper. those that hate hbos and all its staff, are probably the type to tell their 10 children santa died so THEY don't have to celebrate christmas, so THEY can spend their benefits on their gin soaked lives, whilst their kids are getting educated, fed and clothed at the tax payers expense. wow ignorance must be bliss, I hope THEIR kids don't have to ride the "special" bus as THEY probably did.

frustration will do this to you.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by myself on this site are wholly mine and are not intended to provide a HBoS view, they are not an official HBoS comment, they are mine alone.

By HARRY'S FRIEND.. Posted November 10 2008 at 4:22 AM.

well done chubb chubb, words of sense.

it is amazing to read the hate that can be written towards strangers from those that know less than nothing.

history was made this week, and people have more opinions on something that will be mondays chip paper. those that hate hbos and all its staff, are probably the type to tell their 10 children santa died so you don't have celebrate christmas, so you can spend their benefits on their gin soaked lives, whilst their kids are getting educated, fed and clothed at the tax payers expense. wow ignorance must be bliss, I hope your kids don't have to ride the "special" bus as you probably did.

By harry's friend.. Posted November 10 2008 at 3:27 AM.

I hope there was'nt any HBOS staff from Jersey

By Doubting Thomas.. Posted November 10 2008 at 2:45 AM.

I would like to say (as a HBOS employee) a big thank you to Chubb Chubb as he/she seems to be one of the only people talking sense here.

This was not a X-mas party but a thank you to all us staff at the front line who have to sit and take abuse and vile comments (some that get very personal) from all you retards outthere who can't look after their finances properly.

This party had nothing to do with the credit crunch this planned and paid for well before it and is a thank you to staff who had to deal with the 1000's of calls from the minority of customers that maybe should be in a padded room who can't manage the money properly.

To all those people wishing us on the dole or worse all i have to say is stop whining and get back to your cheap cider/vodka you work shy waste's of space.

one thing i am sick of hearing during my shift is all you scroungers calling up and asking "wheres my wages i should have been paid" you should be asking "are your wages in my account yet" get a job. on second thoughts don't cause if the worst happens and i do lose my job i don't want to have to sit in a room with you waiting for an interview. here's an idea go play with the traffic!

By Bongo - Hbos Employee.. Posted November 10 2008 at 2:16 AM.

All these comments about "hbos staff should loose their jobs". I would love to know from the employees working with any company who are able to tell their bosses what they will and wont do. People seem to forget that when you take on employment you are paid to do as you are told effectively. You do not start a job then dictate to your employers so get of the backs of hbos staff as it is not their fault that charges cost what they do, that a company bash goes ahead or costs what it does or that the entire planet has fallen into a credit crunch started by the USA's failure to control spending which in turn affected investment returns for companys trading from overseas (not just the UK).

By just another hbos employee.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:53 AM.

As for the party, would you rather the money was wasted or that a good time was had by people who deserve it, who may be out of a job this time next year? Every bank is in trouble and if it wasn't for the media slating us HBOS would have been fine and not needed bailing out.

As for you with charges, THEY ARE AVOIDABLE, I've never had charges because I manage my money, my husband has and believe it or not, he paid them without complaint, he took responsibility.

Just one parting comment, remember the work HBOS does for charity. Millions of pounds raised though staff and donated. Also the many staff just like myself who do volunteer work. These people are true stars and do not deserve to be slated for having some fun with their colleagues.

By L.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:46 AM.

I have attended similar parties in the past although not this one. They are a really good night and are enjoyed by all. Why shouldn't we have a good time, WE DO DESERVE IT!!! Some say that employees would prefer some extra cash in there salary, I don't agree. These people don't have lavish life styles and would never experience these sorts of nights out without being given the opportunity from work.

You keep talking about soldiers and I would be the first to agree that these people deserve more than anyone, one comment also says that there will soon be civil war, what would this solve?? Today was remembrance Sunday – how many of you stood and froze at a cenotaph this morning in uniform with a group of children you do volunteer work with, how many of you spent time in the last month or so trying to get hold of poppy wreaths because your local branch of the British legion has closed down? I did but can't imagine many of you did! There was such a poor turn out this year at ours that it makes you feel sick yet you can spout about how important these people are!

As for gold plated pensions – I wish, I think mine at the moment is estimated at about 4K per year, what am I supposed to do with that??? And mine is not the worst!

Remember we don't have the money from the government yet, even when we do, HBOS employees all pay tax too! If we were all out of work as many of you think we should be then the economy would be in even more of a mess! Think about it!

By L.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:46 AM.

I am another HBOS Employee and had no intention of commenting on here although I know many who have. Reading through comments about how we should all loose our jobs, have our assets frozen and homes repossessed and be sent to the dole queue I couldn't keep quiet.

I have never in my life claimed anything from the government, not even Maternity pay as I feel the I can't afford children even though myself and my husband both work full time, yet people I know who are on benefits – have been all there lives can afford 4 or 5 kids, where is the fairness in that???

If you were to walk around my office you would see things like photographs of children, postcards, pictures drawn by children – normal people who deserve a break, those of you who say we should all be jobless and homeless – what have these people or their innocent children done to you or anyone else for that matter???

I am a normal person on the front line with debts just like the rest of you. If I loose my job I am likely to loose my home however there are more important things in life than bricks and mortar. I don't see myself out of a job, If you want work you can find it and I will do any job to keep me afloat rather than join the rest of you in the dole queue.

By L.. Posted November 10 2008 at 1:45 AM.

Yes Sarah and all those petty minded people who think the tax payer has paid for the party. Lets have 20000 people sacked. The earlier the better I say!!!! Lets have the tax payers paying over £5 million a month in job seekers allowance alone. Then theres retraining, child tax benefit etc etc. Do your maths.... Plus just think all those people in front of all you lot getting the jobs you were so keen to get. Oh no that means more time on the dole. How will you cope??

By Soon to be jobless :-).. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:40 AM.

where do you idiots get off? so what if hbos had a party for a select member of their employees, they deserve it.... this bank who i have banked with for many years are fantastic, the customer service is fantastic and if 1 night on the town is all these employees get for all the hard work they do over the year then they deserve bloody more! And as for the comments around tax payers money!!! Well, hasnt HBOS paid enough corporation tax over the years probably more in excess of £11.5 billion! I think people need to calm down and shut up! Concentrate on bigger issues like all the money our government is raped of through immigration and benefit fraud etc, pathetic! absolutely pathetic!

By Ahuman.. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:20 AM.

The level of stupidity of some posts concerns me, the reason for the whole credit crunch is people not paying there bills, no one made people live outside of their means and just because something is offered to you, does that mean you should take it?

I just think with the amount of money the government wastes each year on non nationals, wars, helping out every single country in the world before this one, we should fix that problem as the figures given to the bank would be a drop in the ocean.

By R.. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:01 AM.

No ones taking the dairy off the hard workers within HBOS that are lower down the corruption chain. I for one understand that you are just the pawns in this unfair game. People are angry and they are also tired, the public want fairness. Also a thank you from HBOS and the other banks that were bailed out by tax payers would be nice. People are angry at the fact that these banks are being trusted with our money and that trust has been completely abused and to rub salt in the wound they are showing utter contempt for the tax payers of this country. That also includes people on benefits have you believe they pay tax too but it's with our money. Meh Moron Brown and his crownies need to be voted out. These are hard times for the most of us and I can smell civil war on the horizon. What a mess this country is in, but still it will be down to my generation to clean it up for you all. You wonder why kids stab other kids? No it's not to be cool, it's because of poverty. You ever taken a walk through the slums of london? Nah I bet you aint. Mark my words people the corruption had better stop, because we are ready for war. Are you?

By London.. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:08 AM.

Sack this self serving scum.
What can be expected when these people are ripping off the British people with the blessing of brown, darling and the John Lewis fraternity

By Ron chalack.. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:07 AM.

To staff and Nick! Hello, nice to hear your comments. One thing seems to have escaped your self-righteous mulings. A) The £11.5 billion has not yet been given to ourselves, B) Cancelling the £300,000 party would still have cost the bank £300,000 and C) The party was booked before any financial and economic trouble occured. Quotes like "I can't imagine any other business going bust then having a £300,000 party" are stupid, the party was bought long before the trouble began. And I find it incredulous that someone would find people deserving to be given a reason to feel happy in times of trouble bizarre. It seems a lot of comments left on here are by very, very angry people. The cause of their anger is of course something they are to blame for, but what better scapegoat than a bank! People moan and groan and blame banks for their troubles, but come on, remember RESPONSIBILITY? I'm glad most of you on here are angry, because it gives me the satisfaction of knowing that I have a happy life, while you find other scapegoats to blame your own failings on. Carry on, good folk, what a total waste of human life you are appearing to be.

By Chubb Chubb.. Posted November 10 2008 at 12:06 AM.

HBOS is a very good bank, i used to bank with ICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICI bank.
HBOS forever

By hassan.. Posted November 9 2008 at 11:41 PM.

It's very easy to point fingers and wave pitchforks. However HBOS have been caught on the worst end of this recession much like Northern Rock before them. It could easily have been any other bank that was picked for 'scare tactics' it wasn't and so shares dropped quicker than a fat man suffering a heart attack in Macdonalds. How does this party affect me? it doesn't, much like Jonathan Ross's halloween party I'm sure this was paid for in advance before the proverbial excrement hit the fan. I hope those employees who got to attend enjoyed it, I am sure that the last few months can't have been good for those people, and I imagine they and everyone else in the company will be back in the mode of 'business as usual on monday' working hard, or even harder with the impending slew of complaints they are undoubtedly going to receive.

By Chris.. Posted November 9 2008 at 11:39 PM.

woke up this morning, found my head was in a daze
notw has got folks tempers in a blaze
this money has been spent on lots of party stuff
just remember that were not all that well off

and people think that my own job should go to hell
thats well and good, but bear this in mind as well
if hbos fails its not just me it hits but you
youll lose a mortgage and we'll both be homeless too

so spare a thought for the average hbos employee
they dont make the rules that affect you or me
this will be old news by the time it hits next week
so have a smile now, the future could be bleak

By james.. Posted November 9 2008 at 11:28 PM.

It is ridiculous do these people really believe what they are saying. Such things as "people deserve to be given a reason to feel happy in times of troubles!". Totally bizarre. You can not blame the banks though as they are so use to excess & having vast profits they do not know any better, & the people attending are obviously going to go (we all love a freebie) Surly the government should be monitoring any costs created by the banks they have bailed out & (as they have said) stopped the decades of excess (this goes deeper than just company investments). I cant imagine any other business almost going bankrupt the having a £300,000 party. Most businesses are shelving there Christmas parties due to cost cutting. It shows that banks are carrying on as if nothing has happened & the government are hoping it was just a one off crisis.

By staff.. Posted November 9 2008 at 10:50 PM.

To the HBOS employee who thinks the Star Gala was a good idea. Your arrogance is breathtaking. But hey, you work for a bank, what else would we expect? Why should it be cancelled? Erm, how about that fact that you've just had a bailout of £11.5 billion of taxpayers' money because you're in such bad financial straights? I wouldn't have thought a £300,000 bash would be top of your list of priorities.

By Nick.. Posted November 9 2008 at 10:52 PM.

That does not surprise me one bit! I worked for the Halifax for over 20 years and when I retired was rewarded with -yes - nothing at all - not even a leaving present!! But they did deduct 8 hours pay from my final salary (in error!!!) which I fought to get back. They said it was a genuine mistake!! Yeah!! My friends who still work there are just hoping that they will be offered a redundancy package as they cannot wait to 'get out' ! Talk about the rich being richer - Andy Hornby is only on £60.000 a month now for working 1 or 2 days a week max !!! Mmm - maybe staff should just turn up one day a week to work but they are only on £12000.00 per year - yes per year!!! What has he done to deserve that salary ? Well we all know the answer to that!!! He is made for life not like the poor staff who are made to 'sell, sell , sell to hit 'targets' to get a 'bonus' to help out his bonus!!!! I have not heard anyone say a good word about the Halifax for years now - always complaining about the length of queues because there are only 2 cashiers serving (and these two are being observed by members of management to see what they are selling to customers!) and complaining that when they have been in the queue for 20 minutes the cashier HAS to say 'thank you for waiting' absolutely the last thing you want to hear -but cashiers are now like 'automatons' with a scripted speech to each customer - total joke HBOS

By anonymous.. Posted November 9 2008 at 11:09 PM.

lets try a little maths lesson here shall we to those people who think this was extravagant. based on the 150 staff there per head this was £2218 per person. I have no children and claim no benefits yet anyone who has a child is entitled to £977.60 child benefit, a child tax fund voucher for £250, and wftc of a maximum of £545 for the family element and £2085 per child.

based on an average family of 2.4 children and half a dog that family gets £6192.60 not including the additional child benefit from the 2nd child but I dont want all people with children to lose their jobs and homes to save me the british taxpayer financing them. Get a grip people...

By James.. Posted November 9 2008 at 10:42 PM.

Come on guys give these guys a break, just because people who work hard all year are rewarded for ONE night, yes ONE night lets all jump on their backs about them spending the taxpayers money, let us remember the money hasn't been given yet! I bank with the halifax, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life, every time i call or visit them they are more than happy to help.
Talking about charges, yes i had 27 charges on my account which amounted to £945, did i ring to complain, NO because who's fault was it, MINE!
Goodluck to all HBOS staff and i wish everything works out for you guys, you are the backbone of the bank.

By james.. Posted November 9 2008 at 10:38 PM.

CONT...
Us meer staff who on Monday morning will be the one's getting the ear bashings/concerns/complaints will have to deal with it all, the higher management will be kept safe from it all in their ivory towers, so bear that in mind. We need and want you to keep your money with us, after all HBOS are good company and we have some excellant products and everyone works hard to make sure YOU are happy.

By wouldn't you like to know.. Posted November 9 2008 at 10:07 PM.

I would ask that customers firstly, don't move your accounts elsewhere and secondly don't think that this is how HBOS blow tax payer money.
For the last 5 years HBOS has thanked a handful of very hard working staff who have been nominated by colleagues and peers to attend. I have worked just as hard this year as i have for the last 6. The awards were booked last year when everything, you could say was "rosy. I like maby other people are hit by the credit crunch and think about what will happen and will have have a job in 6 mnths?
On a daily basis we hear from people in the same situation and feel your anguish.
The timing was maybe a little insensitive but as peviously stated were HBOS to cancel and then be reported as wasting money???
Shame on news of the world for this story, could you have blown it out of proportion anymore???? Go write about real stories, stories that count.
On this basis if any bank holds any type of party are they going to held accountable and judged?
I do think the supposedly funny Patrick Kielty did say some comments that were below the belt...again were people not supposed to laugh? This wasn't at customers been repossessed, etc, just that it was so damn true you have to laugh. Not 1 person their thought this whole situation is something to be mocked.

By wouldn't you like to know.. Posted November 9 2008 at 10:05 PM.

Oh my God!! are these comments for real?? seriously??
First of all do you all honestly think we give a rats arse about you all as though we have no worries of our own??
As for your comment Paul Dobbins,(well all of you really) you're right we shouldn't go out for parties because you cant afford one!! remind me again who the hell are you and why should we care???????
And as for all the people that reckon they will see us in the dole queue if we lose our jobs, well what makes you think we will turn into job shy waste of spaces like you lot? correction you wont find us there but dont worry we will keep paying our taxes for YOUR dole money!!

So go on then which crybaby is going to be the first to reply with a pathethic comeback that is going to get you no where? after all this IS the time of year to be worrying about who's getting an Xmas party and NOT a time to remember the thousands of people that died so that you can critisize people you know nothing about isnt it?????
Think they would swap places dont you?????

By All for hard working employees!!!!!!!!.. Posted November 9 2008 at 9:57 PM.

i work for HBOS in a contact center and i work very very hard, other companies have a celebration night, this celebration night was covering many different areas. HBOS is a relatively large company and has many employees. dont we deserve something to make us smile???? i didnt go to this event but i do agree with them. we need motivation!!!!! just think, when you call a bank and and you start shouting at the first person you speak to, who i might add, may have never seen your account before,just think how that affects us. just think how motivated we feel at that point! but we have to go to work to pay our rent/mortgage/childcare bills. these celebration nights make us want to go to work and to provide fantastic customer service so that we could be nominated to go to the celebration night.

By Lucy.. Posted November 9 2008 at 9:42 PM.

No such event is paid up in full a year ahead - just a deposit would have been paid and the whole event could have been scaled down. Very poor judgement by the bosses to have gone ahead on such a large scale but then, given the news over the past year, we really shouldn't be at all surprised should we?
We should all remember that Banks are not charities, they are businesses. They are not your friend, they are not there to help you. Their sole aim to sell as many services to you as possible and therefore to make as much money from you as possible. Never doubt it!

By Caz.. Posted November 9 2008 at 9:33 PM.

To wnus' comments. Hmmm? If you actually believe that "bullying and abusing" the customers goes on then you are a bigger fool than I could have imagined! It is us, taking the calls, that have to suffer the bullying from folks like yourself who are angry at a world which has always seemed to "do them wrong". Ah well, lavish parties aside, I am excellent at my job, I do get rewarded for excellent service, I have wonderful compliments from people who do appreciate what we do, so your spiteful, ill-thought remarks are of insignificance to myself. Feel free to keep believing that I will be standing in a job-centre in the near future, I for one know I will not be. But I will be sure to wish you well for the future. If I do get an invite to one of these parties, I'll go, why not? Everyone else would and they are liars if they say they wouldn't.
PS Posting comments on here wouldn't save our job, the company would likely frown upon it, so a disclaimer as well... The views and opinions expressed by myself are wholly mine and are not intended to provide a HBoS view, they are not an official HBoS comment, they are mine alone.

Thanks again, and merry christmas to all you spiteful folk, because unlike you, I wish no harm to people who have nothing to be blamed for.

By Chubb Chubb.. Posted November 9 2008 at 9:30 PM.

What makes me sick is people complaining about Hbos wasting tax payers money when there are people out there who sponge off the tax payers claiming benefits and the word "work" makes them suffer the most horrific back pain or stress etc yet they still manage to afford mobile phones, sky, holidays and go out every weekend boozing!!!!! I work bloody hard to afford what I have and those people at the Hbos party deserve a treat.

By Rosie.. Posted November 9 2008 at 9:16 PM.

The Halifax has always thrived on the tradition of bullying and abusing its customers. No I am not unemployed or without funds, I am simply stating a fact!

If HBOS staff are going to submit their views - do you really think they are going to save your job.

Get a life and deal with reality. It is a fact that a few of you will be singing from the 'unemploment' corner in the not too distant future.

What will you say about these lavish parties then, ha, ha...

By wnus.. Posted November 9 2008 at 9:16 PM.

I also work within the HBOS Group - and I must strongly agree with my colleagues comments. Why should it have been cancelled! Its been booked for a while. As much as it may seem like an expensive evening - dont forget that the papers also make it out to be more than it is!!!!! None of you were moaning when we were lending you the money for your mortgages etc and giving you high rates of interest on your accounts!!! You want to be grateful rather critising! Its horrible to be in a situation where you may loose your job and I hope one day that you may all experience it!!! Leave us alone, get on with your own life, and if you want to take your money elsewhere do so!!!

By ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!.. Posted November 9 2008 at 8:46 PM.

Hey all you lot going on about how we should all loose our jobs! I am a HBOS Employee and new nothing about this party - Its all for the big bods!!! Surely us that get paid peanuts and who are not recognised should not be looked up on like that. Im in the lower paid part of HBOS and am verge of loosing my job after 77 years. I go to work and do my job and thats that....Dont speak like this - were all individuals!!!! You should never wish it up on anyone to be out of work - one day it may happen to you!!

By Jell! .. Posted November 9 2008 at 8:50 PM.

the brittish public are taken for mugs by everyone
first its the goverment ministers then its bbc fatcats and now the banks, dont pay our taxes this month next take our money out of the banks for a week and refuse to pay our tv linence fee and see whappens

By james simpson.. Posted November 9 2008 at 8:30 PM.

To all the moaners out there. If you keep you account in order then you wouldn't get any charges. Just because your too thick or idle to keep a check on your account why blame the HBoS staff? If you've only had a few charges on your account then you would get them back.. Only those who consistantly get charged don't get a credit.... 20,000 may end up unemployed but I would say that employers you much rather employ decent hardworking people than you dole scrubbers who bottom feed of the tax payers. And yes I do pay lots of tax within claiming anything back!!!

By Neil.. Posted November 9 2008 at 8:28 PM.

Okay, where to begin! I'm glad my comments have gained a few admirers among you! I'll start by advising you all I am not an executive, not a manager, I am on the very lowest of the HBoS employee staff! Did I go to this party, nope! I believe it should have gone ahead because people deserve to be given a reason to feel happy in times of troubles! A lot of people are blaming us personally for their difficulties. Are we to blame, not at all, we try to help wherever we can, I refund people's charges if I believe there is just cause. A lot have even commented on their "tax money" bailing us out, although to be fair those who put that are spending MY tax money by wringing as many benefits from the government as they can. Income Support, Tax Credits, all out of my pocket, but do I complain that these people bleed our government dry? No. Markyboy, spellcheck your work before you post please, and Chris, I am looking at the argument from the only side possible. Everyone who blames others for their own problems are wrong, simple as! Thanks!

By Chubb Chubb.. Posted November 9 2008 at 8:03 PM.

i think next year we should cancel the event and give us staff a £1000 each it will be a lot cheaper for the tax payer.
s kinter.

By s kinter.. Posted November 9 2008 at 7:50 PM.

I am pleased that this has come to light. We need to find out which banks are taking their customers lives seriously. I know of other banks that have canceled their Christmas parties and gone for more modest 'self paid' drinks gatherings. Rightly so. Its all very well us sat here moaning but we need to act with our feet here people. Take your money out of the bank - all of us and all of it. Its time to teach these people a lesson. They need to take that bill and split it evenly among everyone who attended and make them cough up for their share. Its time we took action. Please, some one at The Sun, can you make a template available for us to send a complaint my email or by post? On behalf of every tax payer, will you do this for us? I am sick of being an armchair pundit, its time we all spoke out together.

By sarah.. Posted November 9 2008 at 7:07 PM.

Heads should roll, using taxpayers money, have they no shame, no wonder we're in this state. How have they been allowed to use our money like this, surely the govenment should put conditions on the use of our money.

By JACKIE.. Posted November 9 2008 at 7:23 PM.

I think that the majority of comments that have been posted today regarding innocent front facing colleagues within HBOS are absolutely disgusting hurtful and completely unnecessary!!! At the end of the day these colleagues are still human and may be going through many of the heartaches that you are going through during this volatile and turbulent time. The colleagues that attended the event are not the one's who make the key decisions in the way in which HBOS run.

Give them a bloody break!!!

HBOS also raises money each year for charities, this years being CLICK Sergeant, Age Concern and Diabetes UK, all of which are worthwhile charities. I know that the evening was also to raise money for these charities with all raffle prizes being DONATED by people not bought by HBOS and proceeds going to the charities!!!

As for people complaining about the bank charges and that's obviously where they got some of the money to pay for the evening, well, if they were able to manage their money better they would not get charged!!!

By Give them a bloody break!!!.. Posted November 9 2008 at 7:01 PM.

I am sorry but what a disgrace. Only one month ago i had a direct not paid because i would have gone one pound overdrawn and because of this they charged me £35 and the firm that should have been paid sent me a charge of £20 for this as well although that £20 is going to be refunded the Halifax have refused point blank. Although the money was administered to the account directly they opened at 9.a.m. the money they said was called for during the early hours of the morning. One rule for the customer and one rule for the halifax talk about double standards.

By Barry Smith.. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:58 PM.

could the evnt have not been toned down and maybe turned into an event for charity/police/firemen/nurses etc or heaven forbid our soldiers, after all they all do a job that allows the bankers to do their job in relative safety. the worse they can get is a papercut, whereby all the jobs I Hhave mentioned all run the risk of an assault or worse not coming home at all. this is no different to the greed culture started by thatcher in the 80's and as most of the young execs from that era will probably be fat managers now it will take another generation to turn things around again...lets face it we have fat cat mp's looking after fat cat bankers, neither have the moral high ground to throw sanction the other

By wayne.. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:45 PM.

Great - just what us shareholders neede to hear - now let's get on and agree the Lloyds takeover, get rid of these uncouth layabouts and get some professionalism back into bankers. What a wunch of bankers!

By Ade J.. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:45 PM.

I am a pensioner and in April 2008 I invested another £500 in shares to help the Bank raise extra funds which are now almost useless and this is how the bank repays you for your loyalty. I think it is absolutely despicable and we have not had any apologies for the mess they now find themselves in, they should all be sacked.

By Mr.Ken Miller .. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:39 PM.

i think that with the present situation in mind that there are people out there who have put there trust in these people whom have failed at what they are paid alot more money than your average person will ever see, and to see this sort of thing happening when people are losing there homes and possibly not being able to have a christmas at all ,i think all these people should be held accountable for this and be fired as this is disgusting and could be taken as reveling in other peoples misfortune, i think everyone whom is involved with these banks should be calling for resignations of all involved with this party without pay and should be made to publicly appolagise for there greedy behaviour,
what will the government do now (nothing i bet they are just as bad)

By shaun.. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:35 PM.

Interesting to hear the views of 'get a grip' ... apparently it's no excuse to say that it was all booked and paid for last year, before the troubles started... Well, what would you lot be saying if HBOS had cancelled the bash, not got a penny back in refunds and no one had turned up... I can see the headline now... NEWS OF THE WORLD EXCLUSIVE ..... HBOS SPEND 300K + on a party no one has turned up to !!! HBOS have spend 300K on champagne, hotel rooms and the finest food and wine, and not allowed anyone to turn up to the bash in fear of offending taxpayers.... blah blah, who do they think they are???

ever heard the saying 'Can't do right for doing wrong???? GET A GRIP !!!!

By ??HBOS Lover??.. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:26 PM.

Today I bank with them. Tomorrow I won't! They don't deserve anyone's business. Come on you customers show them with your feet. Move your money.

By Margaret Preston.. Posted November 9 2008 at 6:01 PM.

I too work for HBOS and have never agreed with these star gala's, especially at the moment it is totally inappropriate but like others have said its not us at the bottom who make these decisions but it will more than likely be us that suffer in the end due to those sat at the top being greedy! its all very well saying get rid of the lot of them, i'd like you to know this feeling of not knowing what the future holds or if you will continue to have a roof over your familys head.

By emma.. Posted November 9 2008 at 5:45 PM.

what an idiot thomas is talking about asylum seekers, it is nothing to do with them at all

By andrea smith.. Posted November 9 2008 at 5:07 PM.

I bet you guys dont realise that the employees of HBOS yes the employees raise over £1million and over for charities that will be close to alot of your hearts. Remember its the top brass who have sent the company down the river not the employees that you see or talk to everyday. Think before you post stupid comments re dole queues etc etc.

By ??HBOS??.. Posted November 9 2008 at 5:22 PM.

Well, the people are to blame, because the people have either directly or indirectly allowed'em to get away with it, like so many other negatives in society today.

Our society is holds no foundations whatsoever, it's like an apple rotten to the core and the core being politicians and such like....

Fear today surely stems from the ideology of Greed, Selfishness, Exploitation all of which has been imposed upon good people by this Government. If you don't feel insecure now, wait, you will do so in the near future.

By Phil.. Posted November 9 2008 at 5:38 PM.

i would just like to say i am also a HBOS employee and i think the Star Gala is a good idea. everyone who works for Halifax work very hard. this annual event was planned way ahead of the crisis and why should it be cancelled??? we have had to deal with alot of criticism lately and bad press and there is no need for it. for those of you who slagging the even off need to get a life and worry about what is going on in your own lives instead of other people's. if you want to withdraw your money then do so, its you choice, but you will find that you will get the same everywhere. as for the comment regarding "no bonuses", do you not earn a bonus in your job? or do you not have a job? LEAVE HALIFAX EMPLOYEES ALONE

By ????.. Posted November 9 2008 at 5:30 PM.

Our small branch in the Netherlands has made 7 million in extra sales for our British PLC company but still our christmas party is cancelled because of the sensitivity of you failed Brits, but still you get your party.
Where did Scrooge come from? was it not Britain you failures.
As a nation you are finished, you are nothing but lepers with nothing to offer the world and bankrupt.

By doctorsyn.. Posted November 9 2008 at 4:48 PM.

sadly its a sign of our society. The rich get greedier at the expense of the poor. HBOS spending such money in the current climate is absolutely sickening disgusting. But who will be bought too book? who will be disciplined for the abuse of OUR taxpayers money? Nobody. Not a soul. this country is a disgrace to the average english man. Next week it will be somebody else takin the **** and so it goes on. Nobody will do anything about it. Its laughable

By peter tripp.. Posted November 9 2008 at 4:50 PM.

When is your turn RBS?? to party? they have took there shareholders and employees for a ride by lying how much they lost in the ABN AMRO deal and overpaying for the deal for their own motives and getting the big bonusses when the deal goes through!!! SHRED HIM NOW NOT IN JANUARY!!!

By Jo.. Posted November 9 2008 at 3:59 PM.

Bring back the old style bankers (who actually knew how to run a bank sensibly) and who left HBOS and RBS in good shape only a few years back - Peter Burt and George Mathewson. Boot out the current management of Andy Hornby and Lord Stevenson neither of whom have any experience in banks and started reckless policies which got HBOS into this mess.

If Messrs Hornby and Stevenson knew anything about banking they wouldn't need Burt and Mathewson to have to point out to them - in public - that the Lloyds deal is no longer the best option for HBOS or its shareholders or depositors or shareholders. The arithmetic is plain - it's the worst route to go for everyone and no longer necessary or desirable - since it was offered 1) we've learned that Lloyds is sick too 2) all banks have been offered government support, and 3) Lloyds have dropped the amount they're offering.

The people now in charge of HBOS are way out of their depth - get back people who know how to run banks and then use the new government proposals which are on offer to all.

By elizabeth.. Posted November 9 2008 at 3:56 PM.

I got hacked off with HBOS ages ago, as every time I went into the Bank to withdraw money, I knew the staff HAD to make conversation with me about the weather, blah blah blah and so on, and when the money was handed over, then came..did I want a loan/mortgage/who was my insurance with and it really made me fed up. I'ts not the staff on the counter to blame, but the bosses. I'm still going to close my account with HBOS

By senga.. Posted November 9 2008 at 3:38 PM.