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Farepak victims plan bank protest Farepak victims in bank protest
(about 3 hours later)
Farepak customers are set to protest outside Halifax Bank of Scotland's offices later, over what they see as its role in the savings club's demise. Farepak customers are protesting outside Halifax Bank of Scotland's offices, over what they see as its role in the savings club's demise.
Victims of Farepak's collapse, which led 150,000 people to lose up to £50m, are expected to protest in Edinburgh as the bank holds a reception. Victims of Farepak's collapse, which led 150,000 people to lose up to £50m, are holding a demonstration in the capital as the bank holds a reception.
HBOS was criticised for acting as banker to Farepak's parent firm while its troubled subsdiary stayed trading, HBOS was criticised for acting as banker to Farepak's parent firm while its troubled subsidiary stayed trading.
HBOS said it was in no way responsible for Farepak's collapse.HBOS said it was in no way responsible for Farepak's collapse.
Donation The demonstration outside the bank's Edinburgh headquarters is being led by Suzy Hall, who lost £1,000 following Farepak's collapse.
The demonstration is being led by Suzy Hall, who lost £1,000 following Farepak's collapse.
Ms Hall said she expected 200 people to attend the event, set to be held outside the bank's Edinburgh headquarters.
Ms Hall is wrong in claiming HBOS was somehow responsible for what happened at Farepak HB0S statementMs Hall is wrong in claiming HBOS was somehow responsible for what happened at Farepak HB0S statement
HBOS provided the overdraft facility to European Home Retail - Farepak's owner - and its decision not to extend this eventually led to administrators being called in.HBOS provided the overdraft facility to European Home Retail - Farepak's owner - and its decision not to extend this eventually led to administrators being called in.
A Response Fund launched to help Farepak customers has raised £6.4m in contributions from the public and companies.A Response Fund launched to help Farepak customers has raised £6.4m in contributions from the public and companies.
HBOS gave £2m to the fund but some critics have said the amount was small given its role in the collapse.HBOS gave £2m to the fund but some critics have said the amount was small given its role in the collapse.
Right to protestRight to protest
But HBOS said it was not responsible for how Farepak was run as a business and that claims it pocketed savings belonging to Farepak customers were "completely untrue".But HBOS said it was not responsible for how Farepak was run as a business and that claims it pocketed savings belonging to Farepak customers were "completely untrue".
"Banks provide loan facilities, they do not own or run companies," it said."Banks provide loan facilities, they do not own or run companies," it said.
"Ms Hall is, therefore, wrong in claiming HBOS was somewhere responsible for what happened at Farepak.""Ms Hall is, therefore, wrong in claiming HBOS was somewhere responsible for what happened at Farepak."
HBOS said it defended the right to peaceful protest, but added that its right to go about its business must also be upheld.HBOS said it defended the right to peaceful protest, but added that its right to go about its business must also be upheld.
In the wake of Farepak's collapse, the Treasury is set to launch a review of Christmas saving clubs and the lack of regulations governing them.In the wake of Farepak's collapse, the Treasury is set to launch a review of Christmas saving clubs and the lack of regulations governing them.
On average, Farepak customers are estimated to have lost about £400 each, but some are thought to have lost nearer £2,000.On average, Farepak customers are estimated to have lost about £400 each, but some are thought to have lost nearer £2,000.