Sorry may have been the hardest word for the great showman of pop. For chairmen and chief executives of our big banks, it seems - now - to come easily.
At last month's general meeting RBS chairman Sir Tom McKillop said he was "profoundly sorry" for the decline in the fortunes of the once all-conquering bank.
Even Sir Fred Goodwin, RBS's chief executive, used the "S" word, saying he was "extremely sorry" that it had come to pass that the fallen giant was, in effect, to be nationalised.
Today we have seen more apologies, this time from the senior folk at the soon-to-be-no-more HBOS.
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Speaking as shareholders gathered to vote on the firm’s £11.5 billion taxpayer bail-out and takeover by rival Lloyds TSB, the chairman of HBOS apologised for his ailing bank’s plight.
Dennis Stevenson said the board was sorry about the financial impact of the crisis on investors.
Joining him in what might, flippantly, be called the "S club haven" was Andy Hornby, the chief executive of the bank which was created from the "merger" of Halifax and Bank of Scotland.
It was not unqualified penitence. Hornby said: "I would like to say sorry for the anxiety our shareholders have felt during this exceptionally challenging period for HBOS."
So not quite McKillop style. Not an all encompassing sackcloth and ashes mea culpa.
From what we know so far from the HBOS meeting in Birmingham, there does not seem to be an apology for the appalling figures which HBOS released today.
Bad debts and other charges so far this year have jumped by two thirds in the last two months alone, HBOS admitted, taking it to £8 billion, as corporate and home loans soured.
HBOS estimated the figure on secured lending to be in the region of £700 million in the 11 months to November 30, compared with around £400 million in September.
The company’s estimated impairment charge for unsecured lending arrears reached £1 billion, up from £800 million at the end of September.
So, no sign so far of saying sorry for that, though there will be little doubt that Hornby and Stevenson regret these figures, which underline the crisis at the heart of HBOS which led them to seek shelter in the arms of Lloyds.
As the Scotsman has reported in great depth, the Lloyds takeover has been opposed by some Scottish businessmen, but the board considered all alternatives, the chairman claimed.
Hornby, Stevenson and non-executive director Sir Ron Garrick all said that the deal was the best for the company
These are Stevenson's words: "I cannot say too strongly that your board looked at every possible solution... we do not cede our independence lightly."
One must take him at his word. Whether he is right or wrong -and the group which campaigned against the merger say he is wrong - Stevenson clearly believes he is doing the best deal for shareholders in very difficult circumstances.
The deal has now been approved by shareholders, where the major institutions have a significant say.
A statement from HBOS, just out, has said they welcome "preliminary voting indications received from HBOS shareholders prior to the meetings which show overwhelming support for the transaction, prior to reflecting votes cast in the meetings".
According to the figures 84% of shareholders were in favour, 16 % against - but the 84% represent 98% of the share capital.
But even as it receives approval, shareholders have vented their frustrations on the bank's leadership.
Shareholder Peter Hapworth said today he was "appalled" at how HBOS had been run the last few years.
He said: "Let’s face facts, it is a bank like yours along with a number of other banks that have caused the crisis in the first place. You all went dashing for short-term gain to fulfil bonuses and salaries."
Hapworth added that the banks were now trying to hide behind "the crisis that they had caused".
The takeover of a once proud Scottish institution is now sure to go ahead.
But the leadership of HBOS have just presided over the end of a once proud institution with the prescient words of one of their disgruntled shareholders ringing in their ears.
Sorry is the least of it.
