Goslings Grouse

"I don't need a financial adviser because I don't have any money to invest," is apparently something the ex-footballer John Barnes said in an interview last year.

The fund manager Crispin Odey describes fund management as a ‘social service'. Or more accurately, he believes wealth preservation for clients is a ‘social service'.

I had to smile. Just as I was sitting down to write this, the FSA announced it was going to clamp down on irresponsible mortgage and loan lending by the banks.

A leading multi manager said to me the other week that it was "a strange recession" we are living in, as he related how a relative of his who ran a small boutique (as in clothes shop, not asset manager) had hardly noticed a slowdown in trade.

Another story of what the banks get up to in this country - from a very personal perspective.

Apparently, it is 20 years since I got into financial services journalism. I only know that because a PR reminded me! Actually, it is not something I have been trying to forget, but it does make you wonder where the past 20 years have gone.

A couple of tales again about how rubbish the banks are that should warm the cockles of an adviser's heart.

Just when you think the world is getting back to normal a year after Lehman's and then Terry Wogan announces he is packing up his radio programme after 27 years.

Who would be an adviser? Not me for sure. It is much easier sitting writing this column watching the transfer news on Sky Sports. Whoever said blokes can't multi-task?