Public concerns about the fees being charged by banking institutions are among issues that will be addressed under a special project, which will be undertaken by the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC).

Chief Executive Officer of the CAC, Dolsie Allen, told JIS News that one of the critical issues that will be addressed under the project is the operations of banking and financial institutions and how these impact on consumers.

According to Ms Allen, bank customers are being affected by the regime of hidden costs and unilateral decisions to banking arrangements.

She said under the project, the CAC would be reviewing some of the contracts of banks, their interest rates and other matters brought to the commission by consumers.

The CAC head said this would help the commission to examine existing laws and bring about new ones for the protection of consumer rights.

The project will last for three years and is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and Consumer International at a cost of US$563,000.