New banking charges unfair, disability group says
Supplied"Out-of-the-blue" banking charges on non-profit organisations are unfair, a support group for disabled football fans has said.
Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters Association (MDSA24) was informed by Lloyds Bank that its previously free treasurers' account was changing, with the new account incurring a maintenance fee of £4.35 a month, plus increased transaction charges.
MDSA24 member Monty Towers said the money spent on bank charges could be spent on improving facilities, a new minibus, "or paying for a disabled fan to attend a special event".
A spokesperson for the bank said it continues to subsidise the account "offering a 50% discount compared to our standard business current accounts".
"It's a lot of money that can be going on better causes," said Mr Towers.
"It's wrong really - it doesn't make sense, it's just wrong."
MDSA24 interim treasurer Paul Johnston said the group was informed in March that its account would be moved to a "community account" in mid-May.
The recently re-launched association works to improve match-day experiences for Middlesbrough fans with disabilities.
Mr Johnston said it has already taken about a month to set up the not-for-profit business account with Lloyds, adding changing banks was "not something you can do overnight".
Mr Johnston said he was disappointed by the charges, stressing the group's funds were limited since they are currently just a small organisation of volunteers.
MDSA24 plans to charge £5 annually for members who are over 21.
"Even if we were to get 200 members, you'd be talking about £1,000 in total," Mr Johnston said.
"We want to focus all our money on doing what we want to do, rather than having to pay it to another organisation that decided, unilaterally, to impose charges upon us."
Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Luke Myer raised the group's plight in the House of Commons.
He said: "[MDSA24] do vital work to support disabled 'Boro fans, but they are currently being hammered by increased bank charges."
Lloyds Bank said the changes were in line with the market and they had given MDSA24 two months' notice of the impending changes.