Years of greed and recklessness have come home to roost, and families are worried that the greedy are going to take them down too, Layton said during a campaign stop in B.C.

He said Prime Minister Stephen Harper's last-minute election platform offers nothing to Canadian families who are worried about their pensions, savings and jobs.

New regulations for financial institutions and a plan to boost the economy should be introduced in the next federal budget, which needs to happen in the next 100 days, he added.

The Tory platform released Tuesday promises an additional $100 million a year for the next four years to bump up the existing aerospace and automotive new technologies funds.

Layton spurned the last-minute promise, accusing Prime Minister Stephen Harper of trying to disguise his hands-off approach to the growing financial turmoil.

"Clearly, it's a desperate act at the last minute to try to paper over what has been his whole approach, which is essentially to give unconditional tax cuts to the biggest, most profitable companies, like the banks and the oil companies," Layton told radio station CKNW.

The $400 million promised to beleaguered manufacturers is just a fraction of the $50 billion in tax breaks that Harper has been giving away to some of country's wealthiest corporations, he said.

He made the remarks while on a call-in radio show in Vancouver, where callers grilled him on his own economic platform.

Layton said he'll freeze corporate taxes at 2007 levels and funnel the extra money toward improving services for ordinary families.

But for all his bank-bashing, he was later caught red-handed in enemy territory, emerging from a TD Bank branch - apparently after making a withdrawal.

The NDP leader has repeatedly railed against the big banks, saying they're gouging consumers with sky-high service fees.

He was soon whisked away from reporters by NDP staff into his waiting minivan.

Earlier in the day, Layton passed out flyers to bleary-eyed commuters emerging from a busy Skytrain station in downtown Vancouver, hoping to steal votes from Liberal incumbent Hedy Fry.

Joined by local candidate Michael Byers, Layton flashed a bright smile to passing commuters, asking for their support in next week's vote.

Some shook Layton's proffered hand as they got off the escalator, while others welcomed a hug or a manly shoulder bump.

Layton even provided autographs - one to a man distributing a free newspaper with Layton's picture splashed across the front.

But many commuters avoided any eye contact as they bustled past the media throng awaiting them at the top of the escalator.

Layton's smile fell flat with a few irritated voters.

"You're blocking the way," said one woman as she hurried away.

"We'll back up a touch," Layton cheerfully replied.