- 3,599 complaints were received in the last 6 months of the year (compared to 3631 received in the first 6 months of the year);
- A 40% increase in mortgage-related complaints;
- Complaints about investment and insurance products remain at record levels;
…Complaints received in the first quarter of this year reveal an increase in dissatisfaction levels by Consumers with the performance of Financial Institutions. The Office received more complaints in February 2011 than in any month in 2010. Futhermore, the Office received more complaints in March 2011 than in any month since its establishment.
In publishing his Office's latest statistics the Ombudsman states that:
"The large increase in complaints in certain areas reflects the immense difficulties facing consumers and the Financial Industry as a whole. This Office continues to receive large volumes of complaints but the continued increase in mortgage and investment complaints is of concern.
…Of even greater concern is the substantial increase in the number of complaints received by the Office in 2011.