I have always found Bank of Valletta a well respected and successful organisation. Very helpful too. However, they blotted their copybook for me in January. Since I reached UK retirement age of 65, a decade ago, my pension has always been sent to my account monthly on a Thursday and I could draw on it on Monday, two working days later.

However, my January pension was not in my account on Monday or Tuesday. I called the pensions office in Newcastle to ascertain it had been sent and they confirmed it was sent on Thursday, 23rd, and it should have been in my account two working days later (27th).

I then rang BOV call centre who, after checking, said they had not received it. I pointed out what Newcastle had told me and the young man brusquely told me: “Do you believe them and not us?” and I replied: “Definitely”. Whereupon the person hung up.

Half an hour later, a woman phoned to tell me that the pension takes five days to clear and would be in my account on Thursday, 29th. Now if on Tuesday, 27th, they said the pension had not been received, and the woman said it takes five days to clear, how come it was in my account on Wednesday, 28th? Perhaps someone could enlighten me.

And, lo and behold, my February pension sent on Thursday, 21st, was in my account on Monday morning!

Maybe when they solve the mystery for me, they can also enlighten me as to why, in this electronic age, a Barclays cheque takes 30 working days to clear.