George Soros became the latest high-profile figure from the world of finance to condemn the bankers, and call for watertight restrictions on their activities yesterday. He said: "Banks are actually getting hidden subsidies of enormous amounts because of their ability to borrow at effectively zero, and buy 10-year government bonds at 3.5 per cent. So those earnings are not the achievement of risk-takers. These are gifts, hidden gifts, from the Government, so I don't think those monies should be used to pay bonuses. So there's a resentment which I think is justified."

And, as increasing numbers wonder why the United States' decisive action to cap bonuses in firms taking public money has not been matched in Britain, there are now signs of a hardening of attitudes towards bankers inside the City. The Square Mile grandee Sir David Walker, The Independent on Sunday understands, is now expected to call for them to be banned from paying guaranteed bonuses in his forthcoming report on corporate governance. He is believed to have been impressed by the growing acceptance among big institutional investors, and even the banks themselves, that paying out huge salaries and bonuses may have exacerbated and contributed to the banking crisis. One source said: "Everyone knows the levels of bonuses are quite insane. None of the banks dare break ranks and stop paying such big bonuses because they are frightened traders will jump ship to another bank, or overseas. That's why many actually want to be told what to do."