Commercial banks boast of their super profits each year, and one area from which they garner much of these super profits, is their services. These attract ever-increasing fees including fees for lodgements, withdrawals, cheque cashing, transfers, etc.

Much abused by them is the encashment of foreign cheques, which are held for 30 working days. When translated into calendar days, this becomes a minimum of 44 days.

A poor old woman received a Christmas gift of a manager's cheque from a relative abroad and deposited it to her account on December 19, 2008. This poor, needy customer was required to wait until February 4, 2009 before she could access any funds, a wait of 30 working days or 47 calendar days.

Is verification done by donkey mail? In the meantime, the bank makes the most of the deposit.

And would you believe that a three-or four-line letter from your friendly bankers, stating your balance and credit status, costs $3,000?!

- John W. George

wigglekb@yahoo.com

Stony Hill, Kingston

Regarding the proposed smoking ban, I think the Jamaican Government might want to reconsider and not follow other countries.

Jamaica is a place for freedom; why follow them? If we do, the tourism industry will collapse and that won't be good for Jamaica. People like to go out and have a drink and a smoke. That's what Jamaica is known for, so why the change? If the Government wants to adopt a country's policies, I say follow the Dutch.

- Glyn Richards

truckerdump@hotmail.co.uk

Cardiff, Wales

I read the letter last week submitted by the students from St Catherine High School regarding offering Air Jamaica shares to the public. I thought that once any entity was government-owned, it automatically meant that Jamaicans were shareholders.

That said, I would like to see the Government grant naming rights to the National Stadium, the National Arena and the multi-purpose stadium in Trelawny. I believe it would a good way for the Government to raise money to help with the upkeep of these facilities.

The money raised could be used to hire permanent ground crew/auxiliary staff and equipment for these facilities as well as to pay their salaries while lightening the burden on the public purse (however slightly). Every little bit helps.

- Trevor Dawes

trevordaws@bellsouth.net

Georgia, USA