In a somewhat frightening sign of the times, JP Morgan is offering to provide staff with a personal emergency kit - presumably for use in a terrorist attack or perhaps just if the electricity goes off. The kit, which will be available in a few weeks, will include water, a particle mask, light stick and a whistle.

In an internal e-mail, the bank said: 'You can also add other personal items to the kit if desired (ie medicine).' There may by a few other items that are close to banker's hearts, such as phone numbers for their headhunting contacts or the latest calculation of their bonuses.