DON’T BANK ON LENDERS

Two-thirds of people still don’t trust big banks to do the right thing – a decade on from the financial crisis.

A report has revealed how people are still angry at wheeler-dealer lenders whose behaviour was blamed for helping to bring about the chaos.

A poll of 2,250 adults, undertaken by YouGov this month, showed most people think banks got off lightly from the crisis, and worry they might cause another catastrophe.

It found 66% do not trust banks to work in the best interests of UK society and nearly three-quarters said banks should have faced more severe penalties. Meanwhile, 17% said they are “very worried” that the banks may cause another financial crisis.

The findings come ahead of the 10th anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers on September 15, 2008 – a key moment in the global financial crisis.

The poll was commissioned by the group Positive Money, which is teaming up with others, including the union Unite, to stage a mass event in the City of London on September 15.

Fran Boait, boss of Positive Money, said: “The anniversary of the crisis must be an opportunity to change the banking sector so it works in the best interests of society.”