Public trust in banks 'obliterated' over scandal

Nearly two-thirds of banking customers no longer trust their lender to look after their money, a poll has revealed.

As public outrage over the unfolding banking crisis grows, a YouGov poll commissioned by the Sunday Times showed 60% of people losing faith in their bank.

Some 49% believe the high-street banks to be dishonest while 45% think of them as incompetent, the poll revealed.

And just 1% of respondents believe that senior executives of the biggest banks have improved their behavior since the financial crisis began.

Louis Brooke, of campaign group Move Your Money UK, who encourage consumers to shop around for banking providers, said: "This week's revelations about widespread interest rate fixing have obliterated any remaining consumer trust in the big banks."

"The manipulation of the Libor rate is not a victimless crime. Ordinary households can no longer be sure whether they're paying fair rates on their mortgages.

"Small businesses simply trying to make it through the month can no longer be confident that their bank won't tip them over the edge."

He added: "It's up to consumers to hold the banks to account by moving their money."

Stephanie Lee, a 57-year-old graphic designer, has been with Barclays for over 20 years, but is moving her money out of the bank and into a mutual following the Libor scandal.

She said: "How can I trust a bank with my money that isn't even honest to its own industry body?

"It's clear that Barclays and the other big banks not only don't care about their customers but are willing to completely undermine the UK economy, just to line their own pockets."

PA