The downturn will lead to more people feeling unhappy about financial services providers - and taking action through an official complaint.
Complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (Fos) are expected to rise by 44 percent, due in part to the current economic slowdown.
The forecast was contained in the new Fos budget for the 2009/10 financial year, released today. In total, 165,000 complaints from consumers "unhappy" with their bank or other financial services provider are expected over the year - compared to 2008/09's 115,000.
Mortgage issues are forecast to rise 78 percent to 16,000 complaints. Meanwhile, current accounts will take up 38 percent more enquiries and pensions and investments complaints are thought likely to rise by 41 percent.
In a statement, the Fos said: "The substantial increase in the volume of complaints expected to be referred to the ombudsman takes account of initial forecasts from the financial services industry - and reflects the anticipated impact of the recent turmoil in the financial markets and the worsening economic climate."
The government's own economic predictions show a one percent contraction of the UK economy to occur across 2009. Some analysts, however, predict negative growth of three percent - with hundreds of thousands of people losing their jobs in the downturn.
As a result of the anticipated increase in complaints, the Fos said that its operating costs for the next financial year will rise to £92.5 million. These costs stand at £62.7 million for 2008/09.
