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CFG calls on MPs to back motion to improve charity banking

On Monday 11 May, Shockat Adam, Independent MP for Leicester South, tabled an Early Day Motion on improving banking services for charities, which has since been supported by Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives.

CFG has welcomed the motion, which notes, “with concern, the widespread banking difficulties facing the charity sector” which include “account freezes, lost records, and barriers to opening new accounts”. 

CFG’s co-CEO, Clare Mills, comments:  

“We’ve been working closely with a number of banks that provide services to charities and, while there has been some improvement, the impact of the challenges many charities are experiencing can be significant. Initial findings from our 2026 Banking Survey suggest that banking services continue to be a source of stress for trustees, staff and volunteers. 

The parliamentary motion calls on the Government to “work urgently with the Financial Conduct Authority and UK banks to improve banking services for charities”, urging them to “simplify compliance and identity verification processes, ensure bank staff are properly trained to understand how charities operate, and introduce stronger protections to prevent charities from having their accounts frozen or closed without adequate notice or justification.” 

Mills adds: 

“We’ve written to MPs across the political spectrum urging them to support this motion, and we’ll also be following this up with ministers at HM Treasury and colleagues at the FCA and individual banks. 

“Access to efficient and suitable banking services is essential to charities of every shape and size across the UK, so they can focus on their mission and their beneficiaries."

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