25 JULY 1998, Page 24

Bet on a banker

THERE is talk of a caretaker who would keep NatWest's chair warm for him, but that would only make Saturday come round more often. The world of banking is in flux, its barriers are down, no bank's board can put off its decisions to a time when it would be more convenient to take them, or be led by a chairman whose authority is seen to be no more than makeshift. If NatWest's direc- tors would like another grandee, they have Douglas Hurd (Lord Hurd these days) on their board, tailor-made for the part. If not, I have an idea for them: this time round, and for a change, they should choose a banker — and preferably a banker who can teach them to see Saturdays coming.