Chief executives and wealthy landowners are not put on hold for hours when they call their banks, or transfered to call centres on the other side of the world. The wealthy elite keep their fortunes in private banks - small boutique financiers who take care of everything from credit for a new yacht to a new unit trust for the grandchildren.

Added: 2008-04-30

How to bank like the rich and famous

Category: varial news

22 killed on day of bloodshed in Gaza

At least 19 Palestinians died in military operations in Gaza on Wednesday in a day of bloodshed sparked when militants ambushed and killed three Israeli soldiers.

Mugabe opts for run-off election

Zimbabwe braces for weeks of political turmoil after the president backs party hardliners and opts for a second-round poll against the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai

Barclays takes

Barclays yesterday derided the scrip dividends paid by rival banks, saying that it understood investors desire for cash.