Journalists, politicians rank below bankers among 'least trusted' professionals, finds survey

London, Sep 19 (ANI): Mis-selling scandals and numerous financial crises have ended up making bankers among the least trusted category of professionals, but more trusted than journalists and politicians, a new survey has revealed.

According to the survey by the consumer group Which?, recent banking scandals meant there was an urgent need for a "fundamental change" in banking culture and practice, the BBC reports.

Which? conducted a survey of 2,060 people, asking how much they trusted various professions. Nurses, doctors and teachers were found to be the most trusted, while bankers, journalists and politicians ranked in the bottom three, the report said.

The consumer group said that bankers should comply with a code of conduct or be struck off. They should also be punished for mis-selling, with bonuses clawed back, it added.

"Banks are fully aware that they need to restore customers' trust and that this can only be done by proving that they are on the customers' side," Anthony Browne, chief executive of the British Bankers' Association, which represents the major UK banks, said.

"There is a genuine commitment from the top of the banks to restore the reputation not just of the industry, but of London as the world's leading financial centre," he added. (ANI)