Petition against Barclays closing risky UK accounts of customers in Jamaica

[Alison Bajaican]

Imagine if Barclays decided to do this to any other people group - there would be a cry of direct discrimination and a class action to follow that.

Barclays obviously believe there is no economic power in the Jamaican community.

If we could get as passionate about this petition as we do about JA independence events we would force the hands of thieves and take back what the devil has stolen.

This could be happening to your family member right now!

Petition: Stop Barclays closing expat accounts

Barclays have sent a letter to expats saying they will close your account unless you have 100k on account with 6 weeks notice and many, like myself* only have a Barclays account and have done for years.

We have no way of opening a new uk account without uk permanent address.

1000s are effected and no where to pay uk pensions too.

153 signatures - there are 2 parts to the sign-up process so please follow instructions carefully


Created by Fiona Addington*

Deadline 30 January 2016
All petitions run for 6 months
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105378

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Background

BARCLAYS PLC confirmed yesterday (Sept 10) that the UK bank has removed Jamaicans from its client rolls, saying that a new initiative to close out accounts for those having Jamaican addresses was in line with its push to reduce risk and shore up core business.

The closure of the UK accounts take effect today, September 11, and some 450 clients will be affected, the bank told the Financial Gleaner.

Jamaica is one of some 130 countries with which the three centuries-old bank signalled it is cutting ties.

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/barclays-closes-risky-uk-accounts-customers-jamaica

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Dozens of Cyprus-based Barclays account-holders have contacted This is Money asking 'why us?' and 'what can I do next?'

For the first part, Barclays won't go into much detail, other than the fact it is focusing on 70 countries.

It won't provide a full list of the countries it is no longer focusing on: all we know is those in Cyprus and Malta have been written to – while expats in Greece can expect a similar letter in the future.

For the second part, it is a dilemma for these rejected account-holders.

Expats will struggle to open another UK-based current account, especially if they have no address in Britain – banks will ask for proof of address, often via a utility bill.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-3168087/These-seven-expats-325-years-loyalty-Barclays-accounts-closed-NO-apology.html