Reclaiming Bank Charges

pcd87

Hi All,

I have paid about £1600 in bank charges over the last couple of years, I had went into my bank to speak to an advisor about getting some advice on how to get my account back in good standing.

The manager told me to contact the ombudsman about reclaiming the charges as there was nothing they could do. I was £300 over my overdraft and felt there was no way of getting my account back into good standing.

Long story short the ombudsman have sent a letter to the bank and they have came back with an offer of roughly £215.

Do you think this will be the highest amount I would get and be grateful that I am getting something or as this is the first offer should I reject it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

dunstonh

The FOS has no ability to force the bank to pay a penny. It can only encourage it to consider your case fairly. The amount of the refund is based on the level of your current financial hardship (and the period of the current hardship). Some banks will give you grace going forward for x months. Some will only look at last 6 months. It really depends on your spending habits, how much in arrears/default you are and whom with and really how they feel about your case.

Do you think this will be the highest amount I would get and be grateful that I am getting something or as this is the first offer should I reject it.

We do not have the information available to us to make such an opinion. Goodwill payments are at the discretion of the bank. You may reject it and they could say fair enough and withdraw it altogether. Or they could come back with more.

What arrears do you have?
Do your statements show any luxury payments? (e.g. sky tv, mobile phone, eating out, holidays etc)
How much in charges (roughly) have you paid over the last 6 months?

pcd87

Thanks for your reply.

I currently pay sky tv but I pay that instead of paying dig money to my mum and dad so may seem like an unnecessary expense but I would pay more to my mum and dad if not paying that!

I have paid roughly about £500 in charges in the last 6 months! but she said she would refund from april which was when I contacted their department. She said her team didnt do anything to discuss my account and they should have so I think thats the reason for making an offer as if you contact them then they should do an income and expenditure account.

the_insider

pcd87 wrote: »

I have paid about £1600 in bank charges over the last couple of years, I had went into my bank to speak to an advisor about getting some advice on how to get my account back in good standing.

Would their offer put your account 'back in good standing'?
If so, accept it, if not go back to FOS.