Steppenwolf Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I have just read this article on the Shooting times website about HSBC bank in Fullham telling gundealer to close accounts after equating his business to pornography and being "immoral". http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/536580/Major_banks_discriminate_against_quotimmoralquot_gun_dealer.html Make your feelings well known by contacting the branch here. We can't let them get away with this sort of attitude, gun dealing by registered gun dealer is a lawful and legitimate business, it might not be everyone's cup of tea but there should not be any discrimination there. http://www.hbeu1.hsbc.com/ukservices/branchlocator/town.asp?town=460&type=&flag=true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I had an issue with Opening my business account with Lloyds Bank many years ago because "guns" came into the equation, (so there is nothing NEW about this), they agreed to open the account on the basis that no money generated in any way by guns was to be passed through the account. I found it Bizarre to say the least and obviously opened an account elseware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnerbob Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Immoral , The banks are the last people to use phrases like that given the way they operated of late. Who appointed them as "guardians" of morals , they should keep their noses out of things they have no credible knowledge of ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berretta77 Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Quite Agree I wonder if you had a multi million pound gun business they would feel the same!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 From the article apparently other banks such as Lloyds, Natwest and Co-operative discriminate against gun dealer accounts. From what others have said on this thread it seems to be a long practice. Obviously we need to vote here with our wallets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 These banks need to be named and shamed. I think BASC need to contact each bank for their official stance on the matter and then have them named and shamed. I'm willing to bet some very important clients of these banks are shooters and are also high-fliers in the business world. They may well take a dim view of this and have a quiet word with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Yes exactly that. I will be contacting that HSBC branch to see why they feel like they can judge "morality" and who they should do business with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I think you should make BASC aware of this, either by PM'ing DavidBASC or emailing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Done, pm sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anonymouslemming Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I'm sorry, HSBC has a problem with morality? This would be the same HSBC that has been the go-to laundry facility for cartels and terrorists for the last few years ? *ROTFL* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Yes this is exactly my line of thinking as well, all a buch of hypocrites! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Yes this is exactly my line of thinking as well, all a buch of hypocrites! They should refuse to open accounts for MP's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TbirdX Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I wonder who Bae systems banker is? I wonder who handles accounts for the army, navy, airforce and ministry of defence? Boeing, Northrop, Stoner, and the thousands of other businesses involved in the arms industry, either directly or indirectly. Banks, morals, don't make me laugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Good afternoon All Its true enough that banks are undertaking a review of their commercial customers, and will look to stop trading with any ‘high risk’ business. High risk in this context is typically a commercial risk. This is not necessarily a blanket policy by the banks against shooting or gunshops, indeed I know full well that Lloyds for example still offer and deliver banking services to many of our trade members, but I understand that they have taken a decision not to take on any more accounts like this. I also know that with very few exceptions , our 950 trade members have had few, if any problems with their bank. Never the less, BASC has secured a commitment from Barclays, that if any trade member has problems, they will be happy to help. Our trade marketing officer is currently looking to secure the services of other non-bank finance houses to help with commercial and business loans for BASC trade members. Best wishes David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besty57 Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 it has happened at the ground i use.they were told that because they sold guns they would not process any of their card payments. even tho they had done the grounds card payments for years.not sure who the card company was tho. the card company used the excuse that they knew it was a shooting ground .but didnt realise they also bought and sold guns.the ground has been in touch with basc dont know if they have heard back anything yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 If they are a trade member of BASC ask them to get in touch with me or Lin - our trade officer, and we will put them in touch with our contacts at barclaycard who are offering VERY good rates for BASC trade members David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 David - I still think you should call them all up and make up a list of all the banks and their official policies. That way members can vote with their wallets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 We are looking into this, as are the GTA and so far there does not seem to be a blanket policy by the banks, but banks are looking at thier trade customers on a case by case basis David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 what the hell is wrong with this country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 I can understand banks looking at each customer and assessing their risk - but to not take a certain group of businesses based on 'morality' is pure discrimination and they should be taken to court. At the very least they should offer an account with no overdraft. I can't see where the risk is in that. As for credit-card services - there would be much much less risk in selling a firearm than a mobile phone. You have to jump through ALOT of hoops to legally buy a firearm. I'll bet the charge-backs on shotgun sales in the past 10 years is pretty close to zero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Having taken a quick look on the Financial Ombudsman website, it seems clear that banks and building societies are under no obligation to continue doing business with someone if they do not consider it appropriate to do so. But they should not decide to close an account for an improper reason – for instance, because of unfair bias or unlawful discrimination. And it is an implied term of the contract between the firm and its customer that the firm will not normally close the customer’s account without giving reasonable notice. The Financial Ombudsman could also be in a position to help account holders if they have suffered loss due to closure if that closure was not managed properly – more info on the Ombudsman’s site. So my guidance to any trader who is having problems with their bank would be to take it up with the bank in the first instance, and if this does not resolve the situation take it to the Ombudsman. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 (edited) Strangely enough I made a bank transfer to a well known RFD in Natwest this morning. The 'older' gentleman that served me was a shooter himself and was chuffed to bits when he saw the word 'firearms' on the transaction. He even tried to sell me his Miroku Sporter as I was trying to leave, and stated that he only shot rifles these days! :lol: At least he's on our side...... But don't think the people in the queue behind me were Edited January 25, 2013 by hedd-wyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Im the treasurer of our shoot the account is with Nat West, it says ***** shoot account on the chequebooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanL Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Having a banking licence is, quite literally, a licence to print money. That confers so much financial power that it should come with the requirement that no legal business may be turned away. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonathanL Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 We are looking into this, as are the GTA and so far there does not seem to be a blanket policy by the banks, but banks are looking at thier trade customers on a case by case basis David There definitely is with HSBC because I looked at them a couple of years back and was told categorically that they would not deal with any company which was in the firearms trade. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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