A businessman is celebrating a record £36,000 payout after he complained to NatWest about his unfair bank penalty charges!

It is thought to be the largest sum refunded to an individual customer since the start of the consumer revolt over bank and credit card charges (although lets be fair, the banks can afford it!)

NatWest decided to send the man a cheque for £35,987.94 rather than face him in court, where it would have had to justify its fees.

The Norfolk businessman, who wants to remain anonymous, had challenged NatWest over the £26,010 worth of charges he racked up between January 2001 and February 2003 - an average of £250 a week. The fees were mainly for cheques and direct debits that bounced. He also claimed £10,280 interest and £400 costs.

NatWest said it was settling the case only because its legal costs were becoming too high!!

"It certainly is a spectacular payout," said Marc Gander of the Consumer Action Group (CAG). "It is the biggest one I know of so far that has been successful. The general message is that the banks are paying out substantial sums to avoid going to court,?? he said.

"This idea the banks are not finding it economically viable to contest the case is just not credible."

After all, the banks have made £3.5 billion out of penalty charges-so we think they have a bit of cash lying around to pay back!