Charities: Banking Services

Lord Altrincham Excerpts

Thursday 23rd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

As the noble Baroness knows, debanking and access to banking services is an issue way beyond charities and it is really important. The Government recognise the importance of that, and that is why they have introduced new rules to require banks to give customers 90 days’ notice before closing accounts and to provide a clear explanation. The Government’s new rules will ensure more transparent and predictable access to banking, while still recognising that it is a commercial decision for a provider as to whom they provide services. But what I would say is that banks are big and rich, most charities are small and poor, and I am on the side of the little guy.

[Lord Altrincham (Con)]

We thank the noble Lord for standing in for the Minister at the end of term; I do appreciate that. A recent Charity Commission survey found that nearly one in five charities has experienced difficulties in opening a new bank account. This has been repeatedly discussed in your Lordships’ House, including throughout the passage of the current Financial Services and Markets Bill. How will the Government ensure that regulators apply their rules in a proportionate manner, taking account of the constraints under which charities operate that need access to banking services?

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

The question of regulation is really important here, so I should set out the position clearly. Charities are protected by the FCA’s consumer duty up to £1 million turnover, and if they want to seek redress from the Financial Ombudsman Service, they can do so if they have turnover of less than £6 million. I would encourage charities, if they are really unhappy with their bank, to use the UK Finance “find a bank” tool—it is not called that, but you know what I mean—and the customer account switching service. The best tonic for poor service is competition.