Jessica Alves, known for her transformation into a "human Barbie doll," has revealed that Barclays Bank terminated her account due to her presence on OnlyFans.
Alves, who has banked with Barclays for 22 years, was informed by mail that her account would be closed.
Upon visiting a London branch to inquire, she was told the decision was based on her being classified as a sex worker.
Alves contested this classification, explaining that her income primarily stems from rental properties, TV appearances, and brand endorsements.
She described her OnlyFans content as a fan page featuring some sensual images, but emphasised that it contains no explicit sexual acts or pornography.
Barclays' Stance
Barclays issued a statement regarding the closure, asserting that such decisions are made with careful consideration and are aligned with their product terms and conditions.
The bank stated that accounts may be closed if maintaining them could lead to potential legal or regulatory breaches, particularly those related to financial crime prevention.
Wider Implications
Alves’ experience draws attention to a broader issue of banks terminating accounts of individuals associated with the adult industry.
This matter has gained increased visibility following several high-profile debanking cases, including that of politician Nigel Farage.
Earlier this year, a parliamentary committee reported that over 140,000 business accounts were closed by major banks in Britain within a single year.
The Financial Conduct Authority is currently reviewing these closures to assess their legality and fairness.