Anger over Santander charging for business accounts it said would be ‘free for ever’ | Banks and building societies

Santander accused the bank of misrepresentation after explaining that it would start to charge the bank for business accounts, which he promised to “forever”.

Thousands of small business owners, despite a written guarantee that they will never get a fee, they were reported to have faced charges from £ 9.99 per month from October. In 2011, free accounts for new customers withdrew.

The only merchant Dave Lawrence* opened his business account in 2005 and received a letter that he was entitled to tariff forever for free banking and confirmed that he never needed banking charges again ”.

He said: “Which part of Santander is now not valid now, and on the contrary, how can they justify the charges given their promises?”

In 2004, Santander took over the bank known as Abbey National and re -branded everything in 2010 after the acquisition of building associations Bradford & Bingley and Alliance & Leicester.

Forced to recommend the proposed U turn In 2012, accusations from accounts forever After customers threaten legal proceedings. He claimed that he responded to customer demand for upgraded services.

Jennifer Iles, a graphic designer, registered for the word “Free Free Free”. “I objected when Santander tried to make monthly charges in 2012,” he said. “Now they just try to balance again, but they also refuse the obligation. They will fight in their hands.”

He told Santander The Guardian that Abbey and Alliance & Leicester migrated to work every day before the 2008 unification and explained that the provisions and conditions of this agreement did not contain free promises for free.

A spokesman said: “İş Banking view has changed significantly in the last decade. Therefore, in the future, we simplify our İş Banking offer as the first step to ensure that we can develop sustainable and efficiently to better meet the needs of our business customers. “

Lawrence and Iles say that they have not been reported that the guarantee has been withdrawn when their accounts are moved.

“If I had registered in a business bank account that cost £ 9.99 per month at the beginning, this would be my choice, but I wrote the account forever in writing free banking,” he said. “The accusations are not very big, the principle that matters.”

* Name changed