Now more NatWest customers say why dealings with bank were cut off

‘Our accounts were closed without reason’: Now more NatWest customers come forward to say why their dealings with the bank were cut off

• Tej Bal, 35, thinks his account closure may be to do with political Facebook posts
• Mayur Patel, 55, thinks his accounts were closed as an act of ‘personal revenge’ 

A smal business owner whose NatWest account was shut without explanation has been left wondering if it was linked to political posts on social media.

Tej Bal, a 35-year-old from Birmingham, has submitted a subject access request to the bank.

Mr Bal, who had been a customer since 2007, combed through social media but found only ‘tongue in cheek’ posts about lockdown.

He said: ‘The only other political posts I have made, would’ve been to share posts of the farmers’ protest in India.’ 

The only other explanation Mr Bal could think of relates to his decision to pay off a personal loan he had with the bank early, as well as closing his credit cards.

Tej Bal (pictured), a 35-year-old from Birmingham, has submitted a subject access request to the bank

READ MORE: Coutts bank boss says SORRY to Nigel Farage for ‘deeply inappropriate’ report about him and insists she ‘values freedom of expression’

Another businessman was horrified to find his NatWest accounts closed down after he complained about excessive Covid restrictions.

Mayur Patel, who describes himself as a Brexiteer and Boris Johnson fan, believes his accounts were shut in an act of ‘personal revenge’ by a staff member in Kent.

As a newsagent and landlord, the 55-year-old claimed to have given the bank business worth more than £1million. 

On a visit to a branch in Maidstone during lockdown, he complained that the social-distanced queuing system seemed ‘excessively cautious’ and that paying customers should not be forced to wait ‘in the cold’. 

A member of staff accused him of being rude – which Mr Patel denies – and within 72 hours he was told that his accounts were being closed.

Another businessman was horrified to find his NatWest (pictured) accounts closed down after he complained about excessive Covid restrictions

Meanwhile a car dealer believes his criticism of immigration policies, eco-activists and NHS waiting lists on social media may have played a part in the closure of his bank accounts.

Vance Martin, from Cheltenham, was stunned to find his accounts with NatWest had been closed in November. 

The 67-year-old said: ‘Despite my best efforts to find out why, by speaking to various departments, they refused to tell me why they closed my accounts.

‘It wasn’t until the Farage situation came to light, that I thought it may be my somewhat forthright comments on Facebook.’

He claimed his political comments had included criticism of ‘the refusal of the police to stop protesters’, the Government’s ‘inability’ to control immigration and the ‘state of the NHS’.

Mr Vance insisted that these were just ‘normal things that most people complain of’.

NatWest boss ‘could still be forced out of her job’

The boss of NatWest could lose her job over the debacle surrounding the closure of Nigel Farage’s Coutts account, an ex-banker has warned. 

Philip Augar, who previously served on the board of TSB, predicted an apology made this week by the bank’s chief executive Dame Alison Rose would not be the end of the matter. 

‘I don’t think it can end with this apology. It can’t end for NatWest. It may not end for Alison Rose in particular and for the banking industry in general,’ Mr Augar said.

Dame Alison apologised to Mr Farage for ‘deeply inappropriate comments’ in an internal report that led to the closure of his accounts, branding him a ‘disingenuous grifter’ who promoted ‘xenophobic, chauvinistic and racist views’. 

The report prompted an announcement by the Treasury on Thursday that new rules would be introduced to force banks to explain any decision to close a customer’s account. 

Philip Augar, who previously served on the board of TSB, predicted an apology made this week by the bank’s chief executive Dame Alison Rose (pictured) would not be the end of the matter

Mr Augar told BBC News: ‘You can’t have what is essentially a fundamental utility-type industry deciding who will say what and who is free to give political opinions and who isn’t. It strikes at the core of democracy. 

‘The big issue is what Alison Rose knew about this… Was she briefed about it or was this taken at a lower level?’ 

NatWest now faces an uncomfortable week ahead, as it is due to publish half-year results on Friday.

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