Business Diary: Bearing gifts for the Greeks

The debate continues to rage over whether people ought to feel sorry for the Greeks. But for those feeling sorry enough, there is a way to show your support. The Bank of Greece runs an account specially for people who want to donate what they feel they can afford to the impoverished nation. The bank promises its "Solidarity Account for Repayment of Public Debt" will use your donations for only that purpose. Oddly, no details of how much has been raised so far appear to be available.

Goldman staff sellthe dream

Let's say this about Goldman Sachs: it doesn't do things by halves. Take its attempt to prove it isn't, you know, a monster squid. To ensure clever supermen and superwomen aren't put off joining, there are, on its website, more than 100 smiling Goldman types eulogising about how challenging and (of course) rewarding life is at "the firm". "Nothing is as important as our people", it gushes.

Co-op: not good with mergers

If the Co-operative Bank buys the 632 branches Lloyds is selling, don't hold your breath for a co-ordinated challenge to the big banks. Nearly three years after Co-op and Britannia announced their merger, a visit to Britannia's branch in Kentish Town, north London, finds Co-op customers still can't draw out more than the standard £250 on their debit card. Staff rolling their eyes at customer inquiries don't bode well for groundbreaking service either.

The ultimate in home banking

There's an added twist to the news about a Clydesdale Bank cashmachine that was discovered to be paying out twice as much as customers were asking for over the weekend. Clydesdale's parent, National Australia Bank, has been running a curious competition back home in which customers can win a cash machine that is installed in their living rooms.