Bank account closure: 'The impact was enormous'

Following last month’s article, ‘Is your church at risk of having its bank account shut down?’, Evangelicals Now was contacted by the Naval and Military Bible Society (NMBS) who shared their recent struggle of having their bank account unexpectedly closed by Barclays.

The NMBS is the oldest Bible society in the world, having provided Bibles to Service and Merchant Navy personnel since 1779. Recently, the Barclay's 'Know your Customer' (KYC) team had asked why their turnover had increased sharply and they were told, by telephone, that it was because of significant extra demand for Bibles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Despite reassurances that 'a note would be placed on the account', Barclays swiftly moved to close both accounts.  

The impact on the small charity was enormous. Most routine activity had to cease; Bibles and printed material could not be purchased; grants and donations could not be received and staff wages could not be paid. NMBS’s Director had to use his personal account to provide emergency banking facilities.