“We were quite a long way over the protection level [the £35,000 guaranteed by the Government if a bank fails]. We’ve taken out several tens of thousands of pounds to put them in Natwest. This is our retirement money. We need to protect it.”
Valda Lewis, 59

“I have a slight concern, but what can you do? If you panic it only exacerbates the problem, and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have just closed an account with Lloyds, I can’t stand them, and now I realise that I might be back with them."
Richard Heywood, 57, civil servant paying in £50 premium bond win

“I had all my money in the Chelsea building society. I decided to take a chunk from there and put it in here so it was £35,000 in there and £35,000 in here. I’m also with Lloyds and one other bank, so I have been spreading my earnings around.”
Dancing Ken Hanks, 73

“The news really frightened me. I rushed up here. They have reassured me. I have left what I have got in there, because the assistant in there was quite calm.”
Hazel Kester, 73, a retired security worker

“It is a domino effect. If one bank starts going they all may go. I went in today to inquire about buying gilts. I am fairly concerned about the banking sector generally.”
Hamish Rowan Hamilton, 47, City financier, inquiring about converting £100,000 into gilts

“The bankers are gambling on their own little roulette wheel with vast sums of money that they don’t even own, which is always going to end in disaster.”
Marcus Moore, 58, writer transferring his life savings from Halifax to ING

“I’m not worried. If I were to go and take all my money out it would only make things worse. I have faith in the Bank of England to sort it out. We’ve all got to keep calm.”
Chris Franc, 26, business analyst leaving his money with the Halifax

“You just don’t know in times like these. It’s far better to play it safe”
Jennifer Boorman, 39, City worker withdrawing all her savings over £35,000

“I’m pulling everything out as a result of the bank’s instability at the moment”
Hasan Eldabash, 34, City investor

“I am very concerned. I have savings with Halifax and I have just asked inside about the situation. They told me not to worry, but I remember Northern Rock and what that was like. I think I will stay with Halifax, but move some of my money out.”
Julia Macmillan, 47, internet entrepreneur

“It’s just a glitch. I’ll be paying in my wages here and making deposits like before. If the Government are on their side it’ll be all right.”
Basil Harrison, 49, engineer

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