UK Bank Chiefs Meet Regulator Over Savings Rates

High street banks accused of profiteering for not keeping savings interest rates in line with the official base rate

Alliance News 6 July, 2023 | 8:41AM
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

UK notes and coins

Bank chiefs are meeting Financial Conduct Authority officials on Thursday to discuss concerns surrounding interest rates for savers lagging behind the cost of mortgages.

Bosses from HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays are expected to attend.

According to data from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, the average easy access savings rate on offer on Wednesday was 2.48%.

Average two- and five-year fixed-rate mortgage rates recently broke through the 6% mark for the first time this year, having previously been above 6% during the market volatility that followed last autumn's mini-budget. As a result, the UK housing market is under severe pressurel, leading lenders to withdraw deals and property transactions to fall through.

The Bank of England base rate is currently 5.00%, having increased 13 times in a row as the Bank tries to subdue stubbornly high inflation.

The Treasury Committee has been pressing banks to address concerns about the savings rates being paid.

Dame Andrea Leadsom, a former Cabinet minister who sits on the committee, recently said: "It's quite clear they have failed to pass on the rise in interest rates to savers."

Colleague Dame Angela Eagle said previously: "This blatant profiteering has been shocking, and it's clear to me this behaviour is miles away from the incoming requirement for firms to treat their customers fairly and with respect."

Providers have been making announcements about increases to their rates in recent days.

For example, Coventry Building Society unveiled a one-year fixed-rate Isa at 5.30% and a two-year fixed-rate Isa at 5.40% on Wednesday, which top Moneyfactscompare.co.uk's "best buy" tables.

The Coventry said it continually reviews its savings range and tries to make interest rate decisions "as quickly as possible".

Nationwide Building Society also announced some new savings deals on Wednesday, including the launch of a one-year fixed-rate Isa and one-year fixed-rate bonds paying 5.10%.

Last week, HSBC UK and First Direct also unveiled plans to boost savings rates.

From the end of July, a new consumer duty will be introduced by the FCA, to force financial firms to put consumers at the heart of what they do.

The new duty sets higher and clearer standards of consumer protection across financial services, and requires firms to put their customers' needs first.

Asked previously whether the banks' behaviour amounts to profiteering, prime minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman said: "It's something the regulator is looking into."

 

For More Consumer Insights

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

About Author

Alliance News  provides Morningstar with continuously updating coverage of news affecting listed companies.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures