RISK REDUCTION STIFLES GROWTH

Regulation can drive irrational behaviour. Metro bank got fined by FCA for poor controls and almost overnight the bureaucracy of repeatedly verifying id (unlike Lloyds with 40% market share!) makes it highly unattractive place to bank with repeated threats to close accounts if my shareholders fail to re- verify their id in person at a branch. I had to repeat the entire process for a simple name change of the company.

Crazy stuff. It’s almost as if they thought there was a higher risk of money laundering or something. Appoint a NED, and Metro still want to verify their ID. I wish I had that magical TV ability to shout, “I’m a celebrity get me out of here!” and for it all to be over.

Share this article