NatWest International says the charges to "non-personal" customers allows it to invest in its digital services. Credit: ITV Channel TV
Guernsey charities have expressed "serious concern" over the introduction of banking fees by NatWest International.
From Saturday 29 May, non-personal accounts will be charged £10 per month to operate current accounts and £2.50 for each non-automated transaction.
The Association of Guernsey Charities (AGC) estimates that at least 120 of its members will be affected, and says a large number have contacted them to express serious concern.
The AGC says the extra charges could take up to £20,000 a year from charities "at a time when most have been severely constrained from raising funds".
Chairman Peter Rose says he has been in contact with senior management at NatWest International to see if they would "reconsider their decision", or "simply waive the charges for registered charities", but it had been rebuffed.
Meanwhile NatWest International says the charges to "non-personal" customers allows it to invest in its digital services and "create a sustainable business that will be able to serve generations of business owners to come".
NatWest International adds that digital payments continue to be free for customers.
Guernsey Multiple Myeloma Support Group says it is "extremely disappointed" with the bank and would be looking to move after it felt NatWest was ignoring its commitment to support the less fortunate in the community.
A representative of the Monday Club says the proposed charges are "disproportionate" to the
small size of the charity.
