This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6522991.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UK bank rates 'annoy customers' UK bank rates 'annoy customers'
(about 6 hours later)
Low interest rates on current and savings accounts are the biggest gripe among UK bank customers, a survey from consumer group Which? suggests.Low interest rates on current and savings accounts are the biggest gripe among UK bank customers, a survey from consumer group Which? suggests.
Nearly half of Which? members surveyed said they were "annoyed" at their bank's interest rate.Nearly half of Which? members surveyed said they were "annoyed" at their bank's interest rate.
However, just one in five Which? members have switched current account to take advantage of a better rate. However, just one in five Which? members has switched current account to take advantage of a better rate.
Just four High Street banks - Barclays, Lloyds TSB, RBS and HSBC - have the bulk of the UK current account market.Just four High Street banks - Barclays, Lloyds TSB, RBS and HSBC - have the bulk of the UK current account market.
Some current accounts offered by the big four pay as little as 0.1% interest.Some current accounts offered by the big four pay as little as 0.1% interest.
In contrast, the highest-paying account in the marketplace offers about 6% interest.In contrast, the highest-paying account in the marketplace offers about 6% interest.
Customer inertia and concerns over administrative error are often cited as reasons for people not switching their current account.Customer inertia and concerns over administrative error are often cited as reasons for people not switching their current account.
Fee-charging accountsFee-charging accounts
A separate survey from financial website MoneyExpert.com suggested that public opposition to charges on current accounts might not be as great as some consumer groups have suggested.A separate survey from financial website MoneyExpert.com suggested that public opposition to charges on current accounts might not be as great as some consumer groups have suggested.
The survey of nearly 2,500 adults suggested that three-quarters of consumers would be willing to pay a small monthly fee to their current account provider if hefty penalty charges were dropped and service improved.The survey of nearly 2,500 adults suggested that three-quarters of consumers would be willing to pay a small monthly fee to their current account provider if hefty penalty charges were dropped and service improved.
"Opposition to paid-for banking may not be so severe if banks can prove it'll result in a fairer system," Sean Gardiner, chief executive of MoneyExpert.com, said."Opposition to paid-for banking may not be so severe if banks can prove it'll result in a fairer system," Sean Gardiner, chief executive of MoneyExpert.com, said.
"But banks have to be realistic. To extend that [fee-based banking] to everyone without bringing to the table extra services or better prices is not going to be a popular move," he added."But banks have to be realistic. To extend that [fee-based banking] to everyone without bringing to the table extra services or better prices is not going to be a popular move," he added.
In recent months, there has been a growing consumer campaign against bank charges.In recent months, there has been a growing consumer campaign against bank charges.
Tens of thousands of consumers have threatened their bank with court action in a bid to have penalty charges refunded.Tens of thousands of consumers have threatened their bank with court action in a bid to have penalty charges refunded.