Urgent Bank Charges Update - New FSA Guidance July 2008

Whilst it was bad news that the waiver on claimsregular income or salary stopped. For example when
was extended for a further six months, the updateyou lose your job.
was tempered with the new guidance for dealingInsolvency proceedings? Have you gone bankrupt or
with those in financial difficulty (also known assubject to an Individual Voluntary Arrangement
hardship cases). The new guidance suggests that if("IVA")? Or even a debt management plan?
you have received more than £500 charges inBorrowing increases? Are you living off credit and
one year then you can claim financial hardship - thisstruggling to repay it or continuing to borrow as your
means that the current waiver on claims does notlifestyle isn't sustainable due to debts.
apply to you.Do you continue to regularly go beyond your
There are also a number of other tests which couldoverdraft limit? Have you been charged more than
determine whether you are experiencing financial£500 in any given year?
difficulty. If you are experiencing any of the followingIf so, then it is likely that you can still claim back your
your bank should reconsider your claim:bank charges despite the current waiver. As we all
Lack of funds? Are items repeatedly being returnedknow the banks will not be overly forthcoming with
unpaid due to lack of available funds?this information and may continue to reject your
Failing to pay? Are you failing to make loanclaim BUT do persevere since this is clear guidance
repayments or other commitments?from the regulatory body.
Money no longer coming in? Has some form of