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Deposit protection plans proposed Deposit protection plans proposed
(about 1 hour later)
Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to propose new measures to protect savers in the event of a bank getting into financial difficulty.Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to propose new measures to protect savers in the event of a bank getting into financial difficulty.
The plans are intended to increase public confidence in the banking system in the wake of the near collapse of Northern Rock in September last year.The plans are intended to increase public confidence in the banking system in the wake of the near collapse of Northern Rock in September last year.
The threshold for guaranteed deposits could rise from £35,000 to £50,000.The threshold for guaranteed deposits could rise from £35,000 to £50,000.
A consultation period will begin after the proposals are made and any changes will come into effect in the autumn.A consultation period will begin after the proposals are made and any changes will come into effect in the autumn.
The existing Financial Services Compensation Scheme guarantees all deposits up to £35,000. If more than one bank within a group failed, the maximum total amount that could be claimed per person would be £35,000 even though the customer may have separate accounts with different banks in that group British Bankers Association href="/1/hi/world/740863.stm">Experts view: Are your savings safe? The existing Financial Services Compensation Scheme guarantees all deposits up to £35,000. If more than one bank within a group failed, the maximum total amount that could be claimed per person would be £35,000 even though the customer may have separate accounts with different banks in that group British Bankers Association href="/1/hi/business/7408630.stm">Experts view: Are your savings safe?
The chancellor is expected to raise this threshold to £50,000 or even higher.The chancellor is expected to raise this threshold to £50,000 or even higher.
He may also require banks to pay into the scheme up front, so that savers could receive compensation immediately from a prepaid fund.He may also require banks to pay into the scheme up front, so that savers could receive compensation immediately from a prepaid fund.
The current scheme can take weeks or even months before savers get their money back.The current scheme can take weeks or even months before savers get their money back.
The banking industry, however, would prefer to pay compensation when it is needed.The banking industry, however, would prefer to pay compensation when it is needed.
The British Bankers Association argue that up front payments would tie up capital and would be an additional drain on liquidity already stretched by the credit crunch.The British Bankers Association argue that up front payments would tie up capital and would be an additional drain on liquidity already stretched by the credit crunch.