LETTER : Bank governor's costly lesson

From Mr Rodford Barrat

Sir: Nick Leeson is reported to have used the number eight for the secret computer account, as eight is regarded as lucky by the Chinese. The number of the account is: 88888; when added together, this produces the number 40; 4+0 = 4. The number four is regarded as unlucky or inauspicious in Chinese numerology. Unfortunately, it was not a fortunate choice at all.

Yours sincerely,

RODFORD BARRAT

Liverpool

6 March