By Gemma Roberts
Britons have a longer-lasting relationship with their bank than their partner, a survey has revealed.
Santander shows that people stick with the same current account for around 16.5 years compared with the average person's longest relationship, which lasts around 14.1 years.
Around 18 per cent of people have been loyal to their bank for more than 30 years, while six out of 10 have used the same trusty account for more than a decade. Current accounts have been changed at least three times in 10 years by just 7 per cent of people.
People in the South East are the least likely to move their current account, with the average person having been with the same bank for 17.7 years, followed by those in Wales and the East Midlands at 17.6 years and 17.2 years respectively.
Consumers in the North West are the least loyal to their bank, but even here they have held the same current account for an average 15.3 years. In all of the regions, on average people's relationship with their bank had lasted longer than their longest relationship with a partner.
Helen Bierton, head of Santander current accounts, said: "For many people enjoying a successful long-term relationship in whatever form is more rewarding than chopping and changing."
