NatWest bank worker told customer applying for loan that ‘all vegans should be punched in the face’
A customer who called a bank to apply for a loan was told by a member of staff that “all vegans should be punched in the face”.
The woman from Bristol, who didn’t want to be named, contacted NatWest for a loan to pay for a £400 nutrition diploma.
Her application was initially rejected but NatWest offered to pay for the course after listening to a recording of the call.
The bank apologised to the customer and said the staff member’s conduct was “wholly inappropriate”.
It also offered her compensation of just under £200.
The woman told BBC Radio Bristol that the call on January 23 made her “really uncomfortable”.
She said he told her that “all vegans should be punched in the face”.
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She said he told her that vegan activists had drawn pictures of animals and written messages such as “friends not food” in chalk on pavements near his home.
She said he felt “vegans were forcing their beliefs on to him”.
She said: “He wasn’t happy to be speaking to me at all, his tone was really unpleasant.
“Being vegan is a lifestyle choice, I shouldn’t be penalised for it, especially by a big organisation. It’s extremely unfair.”
NatWest said: “We are extremely sorry for the way our customer was treated by a member of our staff and apologise for any distress and upset that this behaviour caused.
“These comments were wholly inappropriate and we have commenced disciplinary proceedings.
“We have also provided feedback to the relevant sections of the bank to ensure that lessons are learnt so that a situation like this never happens again.”
