The Future of Banking Commission

Be part of it - Join The Which? Big Banking Debate

To make sure consumer views are heard by The Future of Banking Commission, Which? is hosting The Which? Big Banking Debate, culminating in a live event on the evening of Thursday 4 February, allowing the general public to have a say in how the banking system should change.

Which? chief executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, says, "Ordinary people are still feeling the repercussions of the financial crisis yet their voice has so far been missing from the debate about how to rebuild our banking system.

"Everyone uses banking services in some form or another so it’s only right that the public has a say in how banks can better serve society."

Whether you can make it to the event or not, you can get involved and have your say on the future of banking.

Attend the live debate

• Register your interest in attending the Big Banking Debate. It will be held in Victoria, central London on Thursday 4 February between 5 and 8pm.

Share your view

• If you're unable to attend, we'd like you to share your views on the financial crisis, what you think should be done now or what should be on the agenda of The Future of Banking Commission.

Fill in our banking survey

• You can also help us to better understand how people feel about banks by taking a few minutes to tell us your views on several banking issues such as service, products and how the financial crisis has affected you.

Do you get good service from your bank?

It seems there's much to be discussed at the debate - our latest research shows that almost 7 in 10 people would switch their current account if they thought they were getting bad customer service. If you think you are and you want to switch, take a look at current account reviews.

The Future of Banking Commission

The Which? Big Banking Debate is part of a broader scheme called The Future of Banking Commission, which will be the first report to look at the financial crisis from the point of view of normal people and the banking industry.

As well as the Which? Big Banking Debate, the commission will consist of three further events early this year where bankers, politicians, regulators, trade unions and business leaders will give evidence. A report will then be published later in the year.

Its aims are to:

• Listen to people's concerns about banking
• Listen to the views and concerns of industry and regulators
• Enable the restoration of public trust and confidence in the banking system

We'll be taking our findings to the government after the 2010 general election to show whoever is in power how people want the financial crisis to be tackled.

Restoring trust between the public and banks

The Future of Banking Commission will enable ordinary people, bankers, politicians, regulators and business leaders to get together to discuss the culture and regulation of the banking sector. We believe this is needed to restore trust between the public and the banks.

Rt Hon David Davis MP, Rt Hon John McFall MP and Dr Vince Cable MP have all signed up to the commission along with Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith.

Other members include Philip Augar (formerly a Group Managing Director at Schroders' and now a writer on the financial services industry), Clare Spottiswoode (former Director General of OFGAS), David Pitt-Watson (Chair, Hermes Focus Asset Management) and Roger Bootle (Managing Director Capital Economics). The Rt Rev Christopher Jamison (Abbot of Worth) will act as an adviser.