Help the Aged slams code
The new changes to the banking code have been criticised by Help the Aged.
Announced yesterday, banks said that they were now subject to an "enhanced promise" to treat customers fairly.
However, the charity expressed concern at the decision of the code's authors - which include the British Bankers Association and payments firm Apacs - to reject independent recommendations to outlaw age-related credit applications.
Elderly people have previously complained that they find it harder to take out a personal loan or credit card.
Head of public affairs at Help the Aged, Kate Jopling, said: "This negative response demonstrates starkly why legislation to ban age discrimination in the provision of goods and services is so important. It is both unacceptable and indefensible."
She added: "Older people will be dismayed and angry at the 'stick in the mud' attitude of the banks. Help the Aged had hoped that banks would embrace age equality, but it is obvious that only legislation to outlaw such out-dated practices will deliver for older customers who have a right to fair provision of goods and services."
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