Green bank Triodos is within its rights to refuse to open a bank account for sex workers’ lobby group Proud, finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem told MPs on Thursday.

The bank has given sufficient reasons why it does not want to open the account, Dijsselbloem said in a briefing.

‘Triodos’ conditions state the bank offers banking services to companies and institutions which contribute to improving the quality of life in society,’ Dijsselbloem said. This was a reason to refuse to open the account on behalf of the person concerned, the minister said.

However, as long as other banks are prepared to accept sex industry workers as clients, there is no question of them being excluded from the payment system, he said.