Re: Astonishing
You have to understand something about mainframes, and the history of RBS/Natwest et al.
The golden rule of mainframes, from the day they first appeared, is that they are *not* idiot proof. They're unfriendly, ruthless, highly reliable, highly efficient data processing engines. Issue a shutdown or force command with master console authority, and it will do it, no questions asked. Its assumed that an idiot wouldn't be given authority to do something stupid. The same assumption tends to apply to people who have high levels of authority within its various subsystems, like Netview, CA7, RACF etc. You can't blame the technology.
Historically (ten years or so ago) RBS were the most conservative of banks. They were risk averse within IT, and had a high body count of experienced people in both Edinburgh and London who generally knew their jobs well, and the merged clearing systems worked reliably and efficiently.
Fred the shred then trashed the bank with his dutch gamble, and Hester arrives. He says to his general "cut costs at all costs". They start swinging the axe on all UK based techies. Nearly all techie level jobs are to go overseas, or to UK based Indian staff on ICT visas. I had a colleague working there. He was told to hand over to Indian staff - and they started interviewing for his 'replacement'. Many who turned up for the phone interview had difficulty in stringing two words together. Others were plainly clueless; pure CV creativity worthy of the booker prize. He eventually found three (yes, three indians to replace one UK based staff member) and spent weeks explaining his job, and processes to them. He documented, powerpointed, and PDF'd to excess - so that any reasonable techie with the skills as advertised could have picked the job up. He then left. Within three days, he got an email at home. They'd managed to stuff things up - and would he help.... The three replacements soon became two, as one left to go elsewhere for more money...
I'm rather enjoying seeing the fruits of Hesters slash and burn decision. Please, please,please lets see him in front of the house of commons select committee, being grilled on what he's done - and why it went wrong. If they want evidence, I'm sure there are plenty of ex RBS guys who can attest to what's happened.
I really don't trust any of the banks today - with my personal financial data, or my money. I've got another colleague - now made redundant from Barclays, due to 'cost effective global sourcing'. The problem is, I see few other UK owned and operated banks left.
Mattress stuffing really does seem to be the only option left.