The Independent Media Association (IMA), the UK’s largest network of independent media outlets, condemns Lloyds Banking Group’s decision to debank The Canary, a member of our co-operative, and calls on the bank to publicly clarify and justify its actions.
The Canary has banked with Lloyds for almost a decade. On 30th June, it was revealed that Lloyds had closed its account without warning or explanation, leaving the outlet unable to access a substantial amount of its own money and struggling to meet payroll. Despite repeated attempts to get answers, Lloyds has told The Canary nothing beyond a refusal to comment on individual accounts.
We note that, globally, independent media are increasingly finding themselves cut off from basic banking services, without due process or recourse. Lloyds’ actions are a warning sign that Britain risks following the same trajectory.
The IMA is working with press regulator Impress to press for The Canary’s accounts to be reinstated, and we are calling on Lloyds to explain, transparently, swiftly, and publicly, the reasoning behind this decision.
The IMA will also be advising our members not to bank with Lloyds, and we will be urging other industry bodies to do the same. We recommend Unity Trust Bank, Triodos and the Co-operative Bank as ethical alternatives that understand the needs of independent and campaigning organisations.
If you are a member of the IMA currently banking with Lloyds, we encourage you to leave the bank and to tell them why you are doing so. If you need support in actioning this, please reach out to [email protected].
For any further comment, please contact [email protected].
Read their article here — https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2026/06/30/lloyds-canary/
