Complaint Letter to a Bank (UK) – Free Template & Financial Ombudsman Route
Use this free bank complaint letter UK (United Kingdom): fill it in online, download it as Word or PDF, and follow our step-by-step guide – where to send it, whether it needs notarizing, what to attach and mistakes to avoid.
| Country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Document type | Consumer & contracts |
| Format | Word, PDF & fill in online |
| Cost | Free |
| Time to complete | about 5 minutes |
| Notarization | Not required |
| Firm’s deadline | 8 weeks for a final response |
| Escalation | Financial Ombudsman Service – free |
What is this letter for?
If you have a problem with a bank, credit card provider, lender or insurer, you must first complain to the firm. It has up to eight weeks to send a final response. If you are unhappy with the answer, or receive none after eight weeks, you can usually take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free, generally within six months of the final response.
Where do you send it?
Send it to the firm’s complaints department by post or through its online complaints form; keep the reference number.
Does it need to be notarized?
Not required. No witness or solicitor is needed.
Step-by-step process
- Complain to the firm in writing.
- Note the complaint reference and the eight-week date.
- Read the final response carefully.
- If unhappy, refer to the Financial Ombudsman within six months.
- Provide copies of letters and statements to the ombudsman.
What you need before you start
- Account or policy number
- What went wrong, with dates
- What you want the firm to do
How to use this template
- Click each yellow field inside the letter and type your details directly (Enter jumps to the next field).
- Read the text through; the “Edit” button lets you change any sentence.
- Click “Word”, “PDF” or “Copy”, then sign and send.
Free template : bank complaint letter UK
Your full name
Address line 1
Town, Postcode
Phone | Email
Today’s date
Complaints Department
Bank or firm name
Address
Re: Formal complaint – account Account number
Dear Recipient name,
I am making a formal complaint about describe the problem.
On Date, what happened. As a result, financial or other impact.
To put this right, I would like you to refund £Amount / correct my credit file / compensate me for the distress caused.
Please treat this as a formal complaint and send me your final response within eight weeks. If I am not satisfied, I will refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Yours sincerely,
Your full name
Letter variations
Unauthorised transaction
On [[Date]] a payment of £[[Amount]] to [[Payee]] left my account. I did not authorise it and reported it on [[Date]]. Please refund it in line with the Payment Services Regulations.
Unfair charges
I have been charged £[[Amount]] in fees between [[Dates]] while I was in financial difficulty, which I had told you about on [[Date]].
Checklist before you send
- ☑️ Account number included
- ☑️ “Formal complaint” written
- ☑️ Remedy stated
- ☑️ Copies of statements
- ☑️ Eight-week date noted
⚠️ Disclaimer: this template is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Always check the requirements of the organization you are writing to before sending it.
🏛️ Official sources
Always check the latest rules on the official website before sending.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ❌ Not using the word “complaint”.
- ❌ Missing the six-month ombudsman deadline.
- ❌ No clear remedy requested.
Tips before you send it
- Use the words “formal complaint”.
- Keep a record of calls and reference numbers.
- Diary the eight-week deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bank have to reply to a complaint?
Up to eight weeks for a final response (shorter for some payment service complaints).
Is the Financial Ombudsman free?
Yes, it is free for consumers.
How long do I have to go to the ombudsman?
Usually six months from the firm’s final response.
Can I ask for compensation for stress?
Yes, the ombudsman can award compensation for distress and inconvenience.
Where do I send this letter (bank complaint letter UK)?
Send it to the firm’s complaints department by post or through its online complaints form; keep the reference number.
Does this letter (bank complaint letter UK) need to be notarized?
Not required – No witness or solicitor is needed.