Business diary: A partner at big four accountant Deloitte�s financial services unit provided proof that fear has spread from Wall Street to Main Street.

A partner at big four accountant Deloitte's financial services unit provided proof that fear has spread from Wall Street to Main Street.

Addressing an industry dinner in Edinburgh, Rob Topley said a local cabbie had told him that his elderly mother had been so concerned at reports that HBOS was in deep trouble that she withdrew her savings from the Halifax and took the money straight round to the nearest Bank of Scotland branch.

French get a taste of Chivas hospitality
CHIVAS Brothers hosted a whisky-themed visit for some 550 guests from French sister company Ricard this week.

The visit included a dinner at Ballindalloch Castle with a "unique Clan Campbell" theme where everyone donned traditional Highland dress.

At least the cuisine should have been to the visitors' taste, if the current owners share the priorities of their forebears.

One of the castle's previous owners, General James Grant of American War of Independence fame, was such a gourmand he added the north wing to house his favourite French chef.

From the hard stuff to the girder juice
ABOUT the only cheerful soul seen in the City recently has been AG Barr's new finance director Alex Short, who joined the soft drinks giant in the summer from family-owned whisky company William Grant & Sons. On switching from whisky to Irn-Bru, he noted: "I can now drink more of the company's product. I can drink at lunchtime as well."

We can all raise a glass of bright orange fizz to that.

Supermarket comes up with a bright idea
SAINSBURY'S Bank, the super- market's finance arm, has weighed in with credit crunch tips suggesting that motorists who do not haggle over a car purchase are losing out on an estimated £1468 each.

Steven Baillie, head of Sainsbury's Loans, said: "In the current economic climate and the fact that fewer people are looking to buy new cars, this is one of the best times to haggle over the price you pay."

Good advice. Another tip: next time you are at the check-out, demand 50p off your bag of carrots.