Customers are withdrawing funds and closing accounts after a British bank told them to leave if they didn’t agree with a new pronoun policy.
Halifax revealed new employee name tags featuring preferred pronouns in a tweeted image and captioned it, “Pronouns matter.”
The move has caused customers to criticize the bank for “virtue signaling” and hundreds to say they will end relations with the bank.
“I shall be transferring my [mortgage] over to another bank,” Ryan Link tweeted in response. “One [that] values customer service and short wait times over pronouns and virtue signaling. Loved the good old days when a bank was just a bank.”
Halifax representatives replied to several of the comments that questioned the move, noting that the bank strives for “inclusion” and “equality.”
One representative named “Andy M” told a user: “If you disagree with our values, you’re welcome to close your account.”
Customers then began to follow suit, including Gareth Roberts, a former Doctor Who scriptwriter.
“I’m a homosexual man. I’m appalled by your adoption of this homophobic, woman-hating claptrap, and by your attitude to customers making perfectly reasonable objections to it,” Roberts tweeted, saying he had been a customer since 1988.
Another customer told the Daily Mail that his or her family transferred around $540,000 in investment accounts and savings. Another closed his credit card account, saying: ”Sick to death of woke.”
Halifax’s website noted that it, too, is willing to end relations with customers.
“We stand against discrimination and inappropriate behaviour in all forms, whether racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or ableist, regardless of whether this happens in our branches, offices, over the phone or online on our social media channels,” the website said. “Such action may include account closure or contacting the police if necessary.”
British public relations expert Martin Townsend called the situation “astonishing.”
“It’s astonishing that they do something to make themselves look right on and virtue signaling — and they end up looking like the most old-fashioned bullies, telling them: ‘If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to leave,’” Townsend said. “It’s extraordinary. Who treats their customers like that? I’ve never heard of a company inviting their customers to go. How is that inclusive?”
Halifax, which is owned by Lloyds Banking Group, did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
Reporting from Washington Examiner.
