Financial firms 'can improve complaints-handling procedures'

Improvements can still be made in the way that financial businesses handle complaints they receive.

This is according to the financial Ombudsman Service, which has today (February 25th), published complaint data relating to firms operating in the sector for the six months to December 31st 2009.

Over the second half of last year, a total of 82,136 grievances were received by the body, an 18 per cent increase on the figure from the first six months of 2009.

Interim chief ombudsman David Thomas said that even though the figure has increased, it is ’encouraging’ that some firms - such as those providing private banking services - ’are committed to handling complaints better’.

However, he called for them to do more, noting ’there is evidently room for improvement’.

Earlier this month, the Pensions Regulator warned that trustees of workplace pensions need to improve their standards, particularly in the area of record-keeping.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19636821-ADNFCR