Half of bank customers pay 'unfair' charges

Over half of the UK's banking customers pay 'unfair' banking charges, according to research from Fair Investment Company (FIC).

Of those questioned by the organisation, almost a quarter of current account customers have an agreed overdraft facility, but still slip over it from time to time, incurring a charge from their bank.

A further nine per cent do not have an agreed overdraft but still fall into the red every now and then.

Another 16 per cent said that they are constantly being charged and cannot afford to pay them, while 11 per cent of those asked by FIC exceed their overdraft as often as every month in order to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, 15 per cent of customers have an agreed overdraft which they stick to and never exceed.

Moreover, a quarter of respondents said that they have no need for an overdraft and are therefore also not affected by bank charges.

"The fact that more than half of Britons are affected by bank charges should urge the banks to act in their customers' best interests, but they are more concerned about the £3.5 billion a year they are raking in from them," said David Doulton, director at FairInvestment.co.uk.

"With the cost of living on the rise, consumers are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

"Banks have a responsibility to their customers to provide fair bank charges. Currently, people are being charged up to as much as £40 for exceeding their overdraft."

However, the situation allowing banks to charge customers 'excessive' fees may be coming to an end.

On April 24th, a High Court Judge, Mr Justice Andrew Smith, confirmed that the charges were eligible to be assessed under rules governing consumer contract regulations, and said that under these rules the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) could determine whether or not the charges are fair.

The banks have appealed this ruling, maintaining that the charges they implement are both fair and proportionate. It is thought the appeal will be heard in July.

At present all claims for reimbursement have been suspended.

However, before reclaiming was halted, the banks are reported to have paid out an estimated £1 billion to dissatisfied customers, and thousands more await a final decision, hoping that the OFT emerges the victor so that they can also reclaim their money.

Chris O'Toole