Financial services complaints grew in the first half of 2025, with 1.85 million complaints made to firms, research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found.
This was a 4% rise from the 1.78 million recorded in the second half of 2024.
Complaints stayed between 1.7 million and 2.0 million since the start of 2021.
Total redress paid in 2025 H1 went up 20% to £283m from £236m in 2024 H2.
The average compensation payment increased from £207 to £238.
Firms upheld around 57% of complaints, with this figure staying steady over the last two periods.
Banking and credit cards saw complaints rise 7% to 899,861, with current accounts up 10% from 491,172 to 541,493.
Decumulation and pensions complaints rose 6% to 94,035, including a 38% jump for trust-based pensions to 8,977.
Investment complaints were up 10% to 58,303.
Home finance complaints dropped 6% to 78,641, while insurance and pure protection fell slightly from 718,497 to 717,406.
Phil Smith, senior actuarial consultant at Broadstone, said: “Given the scrutiny on consumer outcomes and fair treatment from the regulator, it is perhaps unsurprising that we are seeing increases in complaints.
“With the number of complaints being upheld remaining consistently high as well as increases in both total and average compensation payments, it is clear that firms have work to do to ensure they are treating their customers fairly.
“Redress remains a costly outgoing for firms – as the ongoing motor finance case should be a reminder of – so it quite literally pays to treat customers well.”
