With more than 12 million UK current-account holders, Barclays’ ranking as the worst-behaved bank in a survey of more than 2,000 customers couldn’t have come at a worse time, as new rules introduced this week will make it easier for disgruntled investors to move their money elsewhere. In the survey – compiled by campaign group Move Your Money – Barclays was criticised for its track record of corruption and use of tax havens. It also earned poor results in a recent customer-service survey from Which?

But while Barclays picked up the lowest score in Move Your Money’s poll – totalling a miserable four points from a possible 100 for honesty, service and value to society – the UK’s other four biggest banks fared little better. In fact, all of the main high street outlets fell into the “red” category for scores under 25, with taxpayer-funded Royal Bank of Scotland finishing second-bottom with seven points. HSBC, meanwhile, scored 18 and Lloyds, which includes Halifax, chalked up 21.

The survey tested banks on a variety of factors, from alleged complicity in criminal activity to bonus culture and lending policies, to produce a best-and-worst scorecard. In the end, it was the little-known Cumberland, Coventry and Reliance brands that emerged as the highest-ranked banks and building societies, each totalling more than 80 points.

Launched in 2012, Move Your Money is urging bank customers to capitalise on new Payments Council regulations that allow customers to transfer their accounts in just seven working days, compared to the previous switching period of more than a month.

Move Your Money chief executive Laura Willoughby said: “We know people are demanding more than broken banks that take us for a ride. We are giving everyone the information they need to break up with their bank and switch to something better. If your bank’s poor service has shocked you, then join the 2.4m people that switched from the Big Five banks last year. You don’t have to put up with disgraceful scandals, poor service and excessive bonuses anymore. It’s payback time – you can switch!”

According to a YouGov poll, 80% of consumers say that they would be reluctant to move their money to a bank that has misbehaved, while more than half are put off from using the services of banks that pay excessive bonuses to employees, receive high levels of complaints and have been involved in criminal behaviour. However, there does seem to be a gender divide on those points, with women more discouraged by large banker salaries and men concerned over firms known for high levels of customer complaints.

Image of Barclays headquarters courtesy of Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock.com