NINE out of ten people think banks and building societies are making too much money, according to research.

About 90 per cent of customers think profits are too high and that banks are failing to balance this against customers' needs, while 69 per cent do not think banks and building societies are completely honest, with 23 per cent believing they frequently use underhand tactics to get ahead.

Nearly three-quarters of customers think bank and building society accounts have too many clauses and catches, with a third saying they thought this was a deliberate ploy to avoid paying interest to customers, according to ING Direct.

Six out of ten people also thought they did not receive the best possible interest rate on their savings, while a further 41 per cent felt undervalued by their bank or building society.

When it comes to things that annoyed customers most, 55 per cent of those questioned said they resented being constantly bombarded with offers for loans, while 42 per cent hated having to wait to use a bank or building society's counter service or cash machine.