• IT’S because customers are computer literate that they are wary of using NatWest’s online services.

Recently NatWest sent me an alert email warning that my current account would not cover a cheque I’d written, even though NatWest provides automatic transfer from another account (which certainly did have funds).

Because NatWest has closed both local branches (Belsize Park and Hampstead) I had to cancel appointments and go to the Camden Town branch – where there was a long queue waiting for the just one counter that was able to deal with account issues.

After an hour, what I suspected all along was admitted; the NatWest computer system is so dumb that its left hand automatically sends out alerts even when its right hand knows they are false alarms. And this is the same computer that NatWest wants me to trust for online banking.

Only one puzzle remains. Why am I so stupid as to remain a NatWest customer?

BARRY FOX
Belsize Grove, NW3