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As competition in the market becomes more robust, it looks as if some providers are employing all their wits in getting round the letter of the regulatory law. Take, for example, NatWest, busily promoting its Saturday opening with the invitation: "Book a free financial review today".

The only problem with this, of course, is that at the very time when we are desperately trying to separate advice from money guidance, all this 'free' financial advice from NatWest is throwing a spanner in the works.

For those who work in financial services, there may be an obvious gulf between these different services, but to Joe Public there is no real difference between financial review and financial advice and independent financial advice.

And to make matters worse, when a major high street bank is offering a 'free' service and a stand-alone firm of independent financial advisers are charging a fee or commission it is clear which hard-pressed, cash-strapped members of the public will choose.

Many people may believe NatWest is providing this service in a genuine attempt to help the public, but some sceptics may think it is just another marketing ploy.

Whatever the real reason it is yet another case for making the urgency of financial education a priority. With £20bn in dormant accounts, some of that can be used to finance a national programme of financial education across all ages and social groups.