More people are complaining about the service they get from banks, new figures show.

The number of small business complainants is also on the rise.

Excessive bank charges, administrative errors and poor customer service were among the reasons for discontent.

There were nearly three times as many complaints and queries made to the Banking Code Standards Board (BCSB) in the last 12 months than were made in the previous year.

Banking complaints and queries covered by the board - which aims to ensure that customers get a fair deal - rose to 792 over the last year, up from 275 in the previous year, the BCSB's annual report showed.

Flexing its muscles

The BCSB has the power to name and shame those found to be in breach of the code.

The board flexed its muscles last October when it investigated the Alliance & Leicester's treatment of 5,400 customers in its Bonus 90 day account.

Eventually, the bank agreed to move customers with money in the account up to a higher rate of interest and pay compensation for loss of interest.

Seymour Fortescue, chief executive of the BCSB, told BBC News Online that the increase in complaints was due to a greater awareness of the Standards Board.

Common areas where code is breached

Explaining the rights and responsibilities of joint account holders Giving notice of changes to terms and conditions Giving notice of interest rate changes Giving notice of changes to the customer's account Providing information on Isas Providing information on the right not to receive marketing material Providing information on complaint procedures

The helpline did receive several calls concerning issues which fell outside its remit but even when these are taken out of the equation, the number of calls had still trebled.

"Many of the complaints that come to us should be addressed to the bank or building society initially then if no resolution is found the Banking Ombudsman but the public see our name in literature or in the media and are coming to us first," said Mr Fortescue.

The BCSB was set up in 1999 to oversee the implementation of the voluntary code which governs relations between banks, building societies and customers.

The code provides guidelines for bank's behaviour when it comes to current accounts, personal loans, overdrafts, savings (including cash Isas), card services and ATMS.

The Business Banking Code provides similar guidelines for business customers with an annual turnover of up to �1m.

Mortgages are covered by a separate code monitored by the Mortgage Code Compliance Board.