Heather Robinson

My first job after leaving high school was in a bank as a teller. That was 34 years ago, and I have not forgotten how the training revolved around two basic principles. The first was confidentiality and the second was accuracy. Tellers and other bank employees are lectured to daily on the importance of confidentiality between the banker and its customers. It is this trust between both that ensures the loyalty of customers, and ultimately allows existing customers to recommend their bank to others. Accuracy in the handling of money is basic to one's survival in a bank, other financial institutions, or any business for that matter.

Men who have to support 'extra-marital children' and pay child support on a monthly basis do not expect their banker to divulge this information to their wives. Men who have extra-marital relationships do not expect their banker to provide copies of negotiated cheques or credit card statements to their wives or other women. Corporate entities who give donations to charitable organisations know that their banker should not give a competing charity copies of cheques. Corporate organisations will be very unhappy with their banker should they provide competing employees with copies of pay cheques.

Political parties in Jamaica finance themselves through membership dues and donations. These funds are deposited to accounts in banks or other financial institutions. Parties open accounts with banks where persons are known to them, and in whom they can place the requisite confidence. They do so expecting that their banking transactions will be dealt with in a professional and confidential manner. Political parties do not expect that employees of the bank will disclose the names of their financial supporters or the amounts given. And they certainly do not believe that copies of negotiated cheques will be distributed to members of the media and held up for all Jamaica to see on national television.

At the conference

Bruce Golding, the Leader of the Opposition, on Tuesday held a press conference in the Opposition's conference room inside the George William Gordon House, where he distributed copies of negotiated cheques, and levelled some serious accusations against two Cabinet members. The chairman of the People's National Party dismissed his allegations as a "shameful and outrageous attempt to scandalise the PNP and its leaders and (I) state categorically that the party has received no funds that were due to the state, and further absolutely deny that the party or the members referred to received any 'kickback'."

Jamaicans ought properly to be concerned about the allegations, and in time perhaps a court will be used to determine if the allegations were correct. The fact is that Bruce Golding was able to get copies of banking transactions from a bank without the consent of the customer. This event has placed all financial institutions under public scrutiny, as it raises several questions.

Does Bruce Golding have special access to our private and confidential banking transactions? Does Bruce Golding have the right to be told how much money was lodged to my account by my employer at the end of September? Will Bruce Golding tell Jamaica who are the large donors to the Jamaica Labour Party, and then expect them to continue providing support?

Access to confidential banking information is a new low, so perhaps tonight when you go to bed, you should first look under it to ensure your own security.

Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.