FI acts against banks after mass account closures

Banks may have closed accounts without clear reasons. The Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA) is launching an investigation following reports of customers being denied access to the banking system or kicked out on too general grounds.

Financial Supervisory Authority (FI) has launched a comprehensive survey of how banks handle payment accounts. The background is that the authority sees a clear risk that accounts are closed or denied without sufficiently concrete reasons.

These are banks that are legally obliged to offer accounts, but at the same time exclude customers on the basis of general suspicions. FI will now review all banks to determine the extent of the problem.

Customers are locked out of everyday life

The consequences for those who have their accounts closed are direct and severe. Without an account, it is impossible to receive a salary, pay bills or use essential services in society.

- For those affected, the consequences are enormous. A payment account is a prerequisite for receiving wages or benefits, paying bills and participating in everyday financial life. Without an account, you risk being excluded from both the financial system and society at large, says Mithra Sundberg, Head of Department for Payment Supervision at FI

Swedish Radio reports that in some cases accounts have been closed unnecessarily, which is now a key part of the review.

Rules are used - but without precision

The banks often refer to money laundering rules when they close accounts. At the same time, FI's data shows that in some cases the decisions may be based on overly broad or unclear grounds.

This means that customers can lose their accounts even though there are no concrete suspicions. FI points out that this creates a situation where legal requirements are used, but without hitting the mark.

Options are ignored

FI highlights that banks do not always use the options available before closing an account. This may involve limiting services or increasing controls instead of closing the account completely.

A key criticism is that such measures are not sufficiently applied. The authority will now develop clearer guidelines to encourage banks to change their practices.

Some groups are particularly affected

FI points out that some groups are affected more than others. These include people without Swedish ID documents, such as workers from countries outside Europe.

At the same time, the review shows that the problem is not limited to a single group. Both individuals and companies can have their accounts closed, and the authority is now looking into this.