Treasury - Thirteenth Report
Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 7 November 2006.
Contents
Terms of Reference
Summary
1 Introduction
The importance of banking services
Our inquiry into financial inclusion
Structure of this Report
2 Background
The development of basic bank accounts
Establishing the "shared goal"
Beyond numerical targets
3 The overall approach
The approach of the Government so far
A legislative approach?
Exploring a universal service obligation
Lessons from the US Community Reinvestment Act
Our conclusions
4 Opening basic bank accounts
Marking progress towards the "shared goal"
The business case
Translating the corporate commitment
The role of the Banking Code and the BCSB
The current provisions of the Code
Compliance and mystery shopping
Revisions to the Code
Identification and address verification requirements
Unsuccessful applications
Delays in opening basic bank accounts
Access for people in debt or undischarged bankrupts
Promotion and marketing
Enforcement
5 Operating basic bank accounts
Default charges and a buffer zone
Direct debits
Counter services
Cheque clearing
The right of set-off
Cash budgeting
Access to free cash withdrawals
Survey information
Broader targets
6 Wider banking issues
Credit unions
Local Housing Allowance
Understanding and promoting demand
Bank branches
Remittances
7 The Post Office Card Account
Take-up
The POCA and financial inclusion
Withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account
The migration process
The overall approach of the DWP
The role of the Post Office in promoting financial inclusion
Access to cash over Post Office counters
ATMs in Post Office branches
Conclusions and recommendations
Formal minutes
List of Reports from the Treasury Committee during the current Parliament Session 2005-06
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