Bankers giving the best presents this Christmas are likely to come from JP Morgan. Staff in London are being given two whole days off for shopping between December and January, which is more than enough time to source original and appropriate gifts in out-of-the-way places.

At Deutsche Bank, bankers are also to have a whole day off to shop and they, too, will be exchanging personalised presents. Credit Suisse First Boston's staff below vice-president level will have an afternoon in which to peruse shops within half a day's radius of Canary Wharf.