NEARLY eight out of 10 consumers claim they would change banks if their existing provider introduced current account fees, a survey has showed.

Around 79 per cent of people said they would switch provider if monthly or annual current account fees were introduced, while 73 per cent said they thought it would be unfair for banks to charge additional fees for the service they currently offer, according to consumer group Which?

It was announced in July that the Office of Fair Trading and a number of high street banks were jointly launching a test case in the High Court to establish whether or not the current level of unauthorised overdraft charges was fair.

Some commentators have speculated that banks may consider introducing monthly or annual account fees to recoup revenue if it is found that these charges are too high.

The Which? research found 87 per cent of people thought that if this happened the government should intervene to ensure the charges are not excessive.

Doug Taylor, Which? personal finance campaigner, said: "This is a clear shot across the bows for the banks - consumers don't want to be charged for their current account and will vote with their feet if their bank introduces a monthly or annual fee.

"Banks shouldn't need to be forced to treat their customers fairly. Although our research shows that customers would support government intervention to make sure banks don't overcharge for current accounts, we would be very disappointed if it came to that.

"Banks only have themselves to blame for the damage that the overdraft charges saga has done to their reputation. Which? urges the banking sector to put its customers first."

Local Barclays spokesperson Julia Husband commented: "At Barclays our focus right now is to listen closely to what our customers want from their current account.

"We already offer a range of banking accounts, from free banking to current accounts which are charged a monthly fee. For example, more than one million of our customers have already chosen to take advantage of our monthly fee paying additions account.

"Barclays remains committed to retaining the choice of free in credit banking for its customers," she added.