MSE News: Bank charges: banks win test case appeal

Honest_Banker

I am an adviser, on the frontline of a high street bank, who has been bombarded for weeks and weeks by some rude, insulting members of the public 'demanding' their charges back immediately.

I for one am glad that the banks have won the case. I can not believe that people who go over their overdraft limit do not expect to be charged. I completely agree with the ruling that the terms and conditions of accounts are clearly stated when customers sign for a bank account.

I appreciate that there are some customer who fall into genuine hardship at some point, but I see so many people who claim to be in financial difficulty and were 'demanding' their charges back. On further examination of their accounts during this so called hardship, so many customers still have their sky subscriptions, mobile phone contracts, evenings out at restaurants etc etc.

I am also fed up of people saying 'you were bailed out by OUR money' I defy anyone to pop down to HM Treasury and ask them for THEIR money, I'm sure they will be happy to give you whatever amount you want!!!!!

Only today I had a meeting with a customer who said quote: "I was gutted when I heard the ruling, I was planning a holiday with that money!!!" At that point I lost all sympathy for the customer who was in the branch looking at ways to get out of his overdraft. Just shows the mentality of some people.

At the end of the day, banks are not charities, they are a business like every other. Banks get bad press for for reckless lending, which in reality is what is occuring when people go over their agreed overdraft, but then also get bad press for not lending - so we cant win. If I came to anyone on this board and said - "Can I borrow £1,000 off you, dont know when I'll pay it back, if at all, cause I cant afford to pay it back. Oh, and then I might need a bit extra on top" Would you give me the money? Er NO.

Ok, Rant over, but in reality, banks are not the greedy ones, the customers trying to claim charges back because they cant manage THEIR finances are the real greedy ones!!!.

natweststaffmember

Honest_Banker wrote: »

I am an adviser, on the frontline of a high street bank, who has been bombarded for weeks and weeks by some rude, insulting members of the public 'demanding' their charges back immediately.
And your point is???
I for one am glad that the banks have won the case. I can not believe that people who go over their overdraft limit do not expect to be charged. I completely agree with the ruling that the terms and conditions of accounts are clearly stated when customers sign for a bank account.
Do you agree with ruling? Excellent news cos the Banks closed the door of ONE avenue and the Law Lords believed that there was a better avenue. The Banks' were told to sod off at an earlier hearing when they tried to shut that avenue. If you think it is GAME OVER, then you have been mislead.
I appreciate that there are some customer who fall into genuine hardship at some point, but I see so many people who claim to be in financial difficulty and were 'demanding' their charges back. On further examination of their accounts during this so called hardship, so many customers still have their sky subscriptions, mobile phone contracts, evenings out at restaurants etc etc.
Glad to see you are still empathising with people in financial hardship, Good for you.
I am also fed up of people saying 'you were bailed out by OUR money' I defy anyone to pop down to HM Treasury and ask them for THEIR money, I'm sure they will be happy to give you whatever amount you want!!!!!
I actually agree with you on that point, it annoyed me before and after dismissal from the bank on this point cos it is IRRELEVANT to reclaiming charges back.
Only today I had a meeting with a customer who said quote: "I was gutted when I heard the ruling, I was planning a holiday with that money!!!" At that point I lost all sympathy for the customer who was in the branch looking at ways to get out of his overdraft. Just shows the mentality of some people.
I can understand that and I do think that people were expecting too much from this judgement which would not have lead to immediate payouts anyway.
At the end of the day, banks are not charities, they are a business like every other.
That is correct they are not charities(but technically they have taken the charity of the taxpayers or at least some of them have ).
Banks get bad press for for reckless lending, which in reality is what is occuring when people go over their agreed overdraft, but then also get bad press for not lending - so we cant win. If I came to anyone on this board and said - "Can I borrow £1,000 off you, dont know when I'll pay it back, if at all, cause I cant afford to pay it back. Oh, and then I might need a bit extra on top" Would you give me the money? Er NO.
I wouldn't trust a banker who says this product will help you cos you are targetted for products and I CAN get it cheaper online and elsewhere(sorry, but you have to be careful what you write). Is there not something in your contract about posts on internet forums? When you read everything THEN you realise about what walking in someone's shoes is about.
Ok, Rant over, but in reality, banks are not the greedy ones, the customers trying to claim charges back because they cant manage THEIR finances are the real greedy ones!!!.

I love you really, but YOU tell me that sales through service is beneficial to YOU or the CUSTOMER. As an advisor it's all about the sales and that lead to bonuses(Don't tell me it isn't cos I KNOW that stuff). If the choice is about not selling to someone or selling them something that gets you nearer the prize, tell me you wouldn't do it cos I would have cos I had targets to hit.

jamespir

Honest_Banker wrote: »

I am an adviser, on the frontline of a high street bank, who has been bombarded for weeks and weeks by some rude, insulting members of the public 'demanding' their charges back immediately.

I for one am glad that the banks have won the case. I can not believe that people who go over their overdraft limit do not expect to be charged. I completely agree with the ruling that the terms and conditions of accounts are clearly stated when customers sign for a bank account.

I appreciate that there are some customer who fall into genuine hardship at some point, but I see so many people who claim to be in financial difficulty and were 'demanding' their charges back. On further examination of their accounts during this so called hardship, so many customers still have their sky subscriptions, mobile phone contracts, evenings out at restaurants etc etc.

I am also fed up of people saying 'you were bailed out by OUR money' I defy anyone to pop down to HM Treasury and ask them for THEIR money, I'm sure they will be happy to give you whatever amount you want!!!!!

Only today I had a meeting with a customer who said quote: "I was gutted when I heard the ruling, I was planning a holiday with that money!!!" At that point I lost all sympathy for the customer who was in the branch looking at ways to get out of his overdraft. Just shows the mentality of some people.

At the end of the day, banks are not charities, they are a business like every other. Banks get bad press for for reckless lending, which in reality is what is occuring when people go over their agreed overdraft, but then also get bad press for not lending - so we cant win. If I came to anyone on this board and said - "Can I borrow £1,000 off you, dont know when I'll pay it back, if at all, cause I cant afford to pay it back. Oh, and then I might need a bit extra on top" Would you give me the money? Er NO.

Ok, Rant over, but in reality, banks are not the greedy ones, the customers trying to claim charges back because they cant manage THEIR finances are the real greedy ones!!!.

i cna sympathise with you quite a lot but for somone who works in customer service your attitude is appaling also you have been gravely mislead

you claime were greedy charging 35 quid to send a letter or for somone to go 2p over isnt greedy im pretty sure it is

at the end of the day no one is perfect the banks arent better than builders

its a shame that you have to take abuse from customers who dont know any better (because thats what the daily mail teaches them)

chuckl1es

Honest_Banker wrote: »

I am an adviser, on the frontline of a high street bank, who has been bombarded for weeks and weeks by some rude, insulting members of the public 'demanding' their charges back immediately.

I for one am glad that the banks have won the case. I can not believe that people who go over their overdraft limit do not expect to be charged. I completely agree with the ruling that the terms and conditions of accounts are clearly stated when customers sign for a bank account.

I appreciate that there are some customer who fall into genuine hardship at some point, but I see so many people who claim to be in financial difficulty and were 'demanding' their charges back. On further examination of their accounts during this so called hardship, so many customers still have their sky subscriptions, mobile phone contracts, evenings out at restaurants etc etc.

I am also fed up of people saying 'you were bailed out by OUR money' I defy anyone to pop down to HM Treasury and ask them for THEIR money, I'm sure they will be happy to give you whatever amount you want!!!!!

Only today I had a meeting with a customer who said quote: "I was gutted when I heard the ruling, I was planning a holiday with that money!!!" At that point I lost all sympathy for the customer who was in the branch looking at ways to get out of his overdraft. Just shows the mentality of some people.

At the end of the day, banks are not charities, they are a business like every other. Banks get bad press for for reckless lending, which in reality is what is occuring when people go over their agreed overdraft, but then also get bad press for not lending - so we cant win. If I came to anyone on this board and said - "Can I borrow £1,000 off you, dont know when I'll pay it back, if at all, cause I cant afford to pay it back. Oh, and then I might need a bit extra on top" Would you give me the money? Er NO.

Ok, Rant over, but in reality, banks are not the greedy ones, the customers trying to claim charges back because they cant manage THEIR finances are the real greedy ones!!!.

I hope you don't loose your job, but if you do, come back and let us know how you get on with suddenly having less income than outgoings.

Also, how can you say banks aren't greedy ???

natweststaffmember

chuckl1es wrote: »

I hope you don't loose your job, but if you do, come back and let us know how you get on with suddenly having less income than outgoings.

Also, how can you say banks aren't greedy ???

If you want to know, I can tell you first hand since I am in your scenario at the start of the post.

chuckl1es

natweststaffmember wrote: »

If you want to know, I can tell you first hand since I am in your scenario at the start of the post.

sorry, you've lost me, please explain

natweststaffmember

chuckl1es wrote: »

sorry, you've lost me, please explain

February 2009, I was sacked from the bank, income exceeded by outgoings. However, I did pick myself off, dust myself down and didn't incur any charges whatsoever.

chuckl1es

sorry, got you now

louiser123

i really do feel for the people who genuinley are in a mess due to charges making more charges who got into it through genuine problems. i can appreciate that people are disapointed in that situation, but i have an overdraft facility i use it and pay the interest i agreed to when it was given, which i fully agreed to. i also knew when i took it out that charges applied for going over and what those charges are, so i never do. i think thats the simple bit. it becomes complicated when as others have said direct debits come out earlier than they should, and it does happen quite frequently with one i had so i cancelled it and now pay by card or cheque. however i still feel the charges are disproportionatly ( sorry i know its spelt wrong!) high in relation to the fact that it can simply be for being pennies over limit. i am happy that my bank have reduced the charges and cut them by more than half since oct, i still wont pay any as i hopefully!! wont go over, but it may happen if a situation arises which i have no control over but it softens the blow due to the smaller amounts.

it does really strike me though that banks are a necessity for everyone we dont hav a choice as to having one or not, and i think that is a major factor in the fact that they can and will do just about what they want.

chuckl1es

natweststaffmember wrote: »

February 2009, I was sacked from the bank, income exceeded by outgoings. However, I did pick myself off, dust myself down and didn't incur any charges whatsoever.

Thats great, im pleased for you. I dont know your circumstances and others on here dont know other peoples circumstances so no one should judge anyone, were all different and in different situations but some on here think they can.