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Business Banking: Undesignated Client Accounts
18 October 2023
Lead MP
Kelly Tolhurst
Rochester and Strood
Con
Responding Minister
Andrew Griffith
Tags
Social CareEconomyBusiness & Trade
Word Count: 3263
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Kelly Tolhurst raised concerns about business banking: undesignated client accounts in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Tolhurst asks for urgent action to resolve the issue affecting small businesses' access to necessary bank accounts, especially those using pooled client accounts (undesignated client accounts).
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Kelly Tolhurst is concerned about the challenges small businesses, particularly in the marine industry, are facing due to how anti-money laundering regulations are being implemented by UK banks. She highlights that reputable and long-established companies have been driven close to closure as a result of these issues. The problem affects industries such as yacht brokers, letting agents, estate agents, jewellers, care homes, and solicitors. Specifically, the Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents has raised concerns about the implementation of Joint Money Laundering Steering Group guidelines by UK banks.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon raised concerns about banks closing undesignated client accounts for yacht brokers and other small businesses. He highlighted the impact on mental health, business sustainability, and local economies due to account closures. He cited examples of businesses struggling with no clear reason from banks besides legislation changes.
Government Response
Andrew Griffith
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Cummins. I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Rochester and Strood (Kelly Tolhurst) for highlighting this important issue. She has been tenacious, and I convey my distress at the frustration suffered. The industry is an historic one and is important to us. A bank account is a vital part of how we operate in society, but it is also crucial that financial regulations do not put a disproportionate burden on legitimate businesses and customers. Pooled client accounts have many virtues as they protect customers when a firm fails. However, there has been concern about banks misperceiving the risk of these accounts and the regulation. I reassure my right hon. Friend that pooled client accounts are eligible for simplified due diligence where the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing is low. My predecessor wrote to UK Finance last year to reiterate this importance, and a roundtable was convened with banks and the Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents to improve mutual understanding. We will continue to work on improving guidance notes and adjusting regulations if necessary. There will be no further delays in consulting on how we can improve anti-money laundering procedures.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.