The Code of Banking Practice has been reissued in 1997 by the 'Independent Review Body' - a committee organised by the British Bankers Association and comprising various officials of banking bodies, plus consumer representatives. The latest 'Code' is a very general document which promises that institutions will deal with customers "fairly".
Unfortunately it is not possible to pursue a legal action against an institution for behaving 'unfairly', and we believe that a much more specific document is required which lays down exactly what should be expected of institutions and their staff under a variety of specific situations. The 'Code' also deals with personal banking only. We do not believe that a personal customer suddenly acquires a detailed knowledge of banking when starting a business. The 'Code' should apply to all banking customers.
We have examined the several thousand telephone calls received on our helpline in the past few years, and have established (we think) a Charter which sets out a minimum acceptable practice for institutions dealing with their customers. We also think the Charter should be constantly under review, both by banks and by their customers.
The results of our survey are still being collated, but will be available under the links below shortly.
If you have anything which you think could be added, or have any other suggestions on content or layout, please let us know. Your suggestions will be listed here.
We will be continuing to campaign for institutions to subscribe to our Banking Charter to demonstrate their commitment to good banking practice and customer protection.
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A
Accounts, Closure
Accounts, Dormant
Accounts, New
Advertising
Advice
Arrears / borrowings
ATMs (Cashpoints)
Automatic Pmts - DD/ SOs
B
Bereavement
Business Transactions
C
Cards
Cards and Card issue
Charges and Payments
Cheques
Cheques, Dishonoured
Clerical Procedures
Codes of Practice
Collections
Commission
Complaints
Confidentiality / Conflicts
Correspondence
Counter transactions
Court Action
Credit Cards
Credit Reference Agencies
Credit References Cross Border Transactions Customers costs and exps |
D
Damages and Cons Loss
Default
Deposits
Disputes/ Bad Debts
Divorce/ Separation
E
Elderly/ Disabled Services
Electronic Banking
Exchange Rate
F
Fees / Account Charges
Fraud/ Theft/ Misuse of svcs
G
Guarantees
H
Harassment
Hardship
I
Independence of Valuations
Insurance
Interest Charges
J
Joint Names Accounts
K,L
Legal Costs
Legal Representation
Lending
Loan / Mortgage Guarantee
Local Services
M
Marketing Material
Marriage
Meetings and personal visits
Mergers, Demergers Money Transfer Errors Mortgages Mortgages, Calculation |
N
Notice of Theft
O,P
Partnership
Penalty Charges
Phoenix Companies
Privacy
Product Changes
Proof of Identity
Q,R
Recording Conversations
References
Regulatory Bodies
Repossessions, Recoveries
Residence Abroad
S
Second Named Accounts
Security
Set Off between accounts
Shares and Share Dealing
Staff
Statements
Status Enquiries
Student Loans
T
Telephone Banking
Trust & Probate
U
Unfair Contract Terms
V
Victimisation
W-Z
Withdrawals Written Confirmation |
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