Yet more banking news. The once self-coined ‘ethical bank’ The Co-operative has to cough up another £400 million for its past misconduct, to add to its already massive losses.
Meanwhile, over at Barclays, we are being fed a series of Loachian-style commercials (and very well made they are too) centring on the loyalty of good old British football supporters in a variety of scenarios showing ordinary people cheering on Barclays-sponsored teams. “Thank you – you are football” says Barclays as 86-year-old Everton supporter Billy Ingham sets off to see his beloved team play.
Dear old Billy Ingham
Much sentimental emotion is stirred up through the soundtrack and the reaction shots of the fans watching the highs and lows of the match. Meanwhile, we are expected to come over all warm and cosy and actually believe that Barclays really does care and is genuinely thankful for its many football supporters.
But the fact is, it is people like Billy and the many thousands of fans like those featured in the commercial that were mis-sold pension plans in a calculated criminal way on an industrial scale, but no one will be ever be prosecuted because, as we all know, the banks are far too important and untouchable – no matter what they do.
Those football fans should look up to the corporate terraces at the matches they attend – that’s where they will see the cosseted Barclays executives sitting in comfort, sipping champagne and segregated well away from the ordinary fans who we are supposed to believe they care so much about.
This is where the caring bankers will typically watch the match in sumptuous comfort
One has to question the morality of our creative community in colluding in this kind of cynical subterfuge.