Credit Crunch: HSBC staff to carry personal attack alarms

Barry Stamp
25 September 2009

The Daily Mail reports that bank staff at HSBC have been issued with personal attack alarms to recognise the higher risk of being confronted by frustrated customers who have been refused credit, or who have had existing lines of credit withdrawn or cut back.

In the current economic climate, it's inevitable that the number of personal and business customers who have their debts 'called up', or who are facing court or repossession action will be increasing substantially, in spite of the call for leniency by the Government.

Most collections and recovery action instigated by the banks are dealt with at secure, anonymous centralised operations with high levels of security. But front line bank staff nevertheless remain vulnerable to emotional outbursts and potential attacks when aggrieved customers (or 'debtors' as they are called by banks after the debt has been called up) look to the nearest visible representative of the bank. Typically this will be the local bank branch.

There is also a high level of anger amongst the public towards banks, who see poor lending practices as the reason behind the current recession.

HSBC says that the issue of personal alarms is nothing new and that they have been issued to staff for some time, although the technology has been updated and now comprises a small pager device in a leather wallet clipped on to a belt.

One of the best ways of avoiding an emotional confrontation with your bank is to make sure you start by banking with a bank that has a good record of customer satisfaction, especially when you need help most. Our annual Banking and Credit Card Survey - which reflects the open and honest views of thousands of checkmyfile customers - is one of the largest of its kind and will point you in the direction of which banks are valued, and which need to be avoided.

Check out the latest 2009 survey here.

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