Marloes Nicholls, a spokesperson from Move Your Money UK said:
“By moving their money, these ex-Barclays customers are making sure its not back to ‘business as usual’ for the bank, and supporting financial institutions whose business practices and values they share.
Bob Diamond spoke of Barclays being “committed to citizenship”, and there was a threat of a shareholder revolt over executive pay, but in the end the status quo has been maintained.
Unfortunately, the people making the decisions at the AGM, the shareholders, are ultimately interested in maximising their returns. It’s up to customers to use their power and move their money to ensure that banks work in the interest of society.”
Ben Stuart, 35, from London, moved his money out of Barclays and cut his card today outside the AGM:
“I’d been thinking about turning my back on Barclays ever since the big banks crashed our financial system and handed us the bill. The one thing all of us can do to make that happen is to stop giving our cash to the banks which aggressively defend the status quo.”
Sara Petrai also moved her money and cut her card today:
“Barclays obviously do not value me as a customer - their service is terrible and they land you with totally unfair charges.”
Jethro Buck, 25, from Oxford, is moving his savings and current account out of Barclays:
"I moved my account because I am not comfortable with my money being a part of the financial casino.”
Alongside the Barclays AGM, Move Your Money UK has been running an online day ofaction under the title ‘Dear Bob’ to give ordinary people a chance to have their say. All of the messages sent in through facebook, twitter and email will be written on post-its and stuck on a Barclays branch in London tomorrow.
The campaign estimates that over the past 2 months over 5000 people have moved their money and a further 1000 people have pledged to do so.
Over the coming months Move Your Money UK will be working with credit unions, campaign groups, and unions in schools and universities and workplaces to encourage people to move their money.
A petition to get Lambeth council to move their money has already been launched and will be followed by a nationwide campaign later in the year.
