'Big four' banks face revolt by customers

Nearly a quarter of consumers who have accounts with the major banks say they would consider moving their money to get a better interest rate, figures released yesterday showed.

About 48 per cent of people who bank with the "big four" did not know how much interest they received on their current account, but when told, nearly half said they would think about changing, according to the Consumers' Association, publisher of Which? magazine.

Lloyds TSB, Barclays, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group account for 70 per cent of the current account market, but pay as little as 0.1 per cent interest on some accounts, while overdraft rates can be twice as high as those offered by other banks. Which? is urging consumers to switch accounts and has set up a website, www.switchwithwhich.co.uk, offering advice.