Friendly & 'Co-Operative'

Advantages: Friendly, Helpful Staff & Great Everyday Banking
Disadvantages: None I have found so far

...this wasn't an issue at first but at month 2 which was a Christmas, I found myself in real need of a fall back but the bank weren't able to help at that point, the did however call me back to my branch at the end of month 3 and arranged my overdraft. For this I did have to tell the clerk what my expenditure was, this is because the Co-Op operate an 'Ethical Banking' policy, which is they will not lend you money or grant you credit facilities if they believe you aren't a position to support these commitments, which is good, considering many places will automatically grant you a £500 overdraft before they know you and before you've established yourself as a customer. On this account, you get all your banking facilities you get with the Cashminder plus a cheque book, you get either a Visa Delta debit card, some customers may get an Electron...

memphisto_chick 12.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

The no so Co-operative Bank

Advantages: None whatsoever.
Disadvantages: All contact and services from them.

...we proved them wrong. One excuse after another followed. This carried on until I was speaking to the conveyancer about these problems and us both looking through their files of "you are approved by ?????? bank to conduct conveyancing, etc". I spotted a letter of approval for C.I.S. mortgages (Co-operative Insurance Services), so immediately rang Co-op Bank about this. They again tried to worm their way out of this, even though they were merging Co-op Bank and C.I.S. into C.F.S. (Co-op Financial Services) at the time. Finally they gave in after a lot of pressure. We didn't want to reapply for a mortgage with someone else, as we would have lost the property due to one thing and another. Then we come to buildings and contents insurance. We asked Co-op to sort it with the mortgage process, to make it easier for us as they...

mccsmart02 09.02.2007 (02.05.2007) · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank Mortgages

Ethical banking, mashed with good old fashioned customer service

Advantages: Ethical banking, mashed with good old fashioned customer service
Disadvantages: None big enough to mention

...I have two current accounts, the first being with the Co-operative Bank PLC, my local branch is London Street, Norwich. The main purpose of this account is primarily to pay bills via direct debit. I have a second current account held with Natwest, which any leftover money at the end of the month is paid into. On the whole very happy with both companies, however the customer service I have received from the clerks at Co-operative?s Norwich Branch, is un-surpassed. How nice it is in this day in age, to be welcomed on arrival by warm and welcoming staff who remember your name. And should you need to wait to speak to a personal banker, they offer you free tea and coffee making facilities whilst you wait. You don?t get that at Natwest. I first opened my account with the Co-operative in April 2004, my original account was...

Norwich999 04.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

Right-on attitude, shame about the banking.

Advantages: fantastic ethical policy, can be friendly and 'human'
Disadvantages: just not very good at providing banking services!

...I chose the Co-operative Bank for all the right reasons. I care about human rights, fair trade, the environment and sustainable development - there doesn’t seem a lot of point donating to a charity which is going to save the earth/children etc, then depositing my money in a bank which will lend it to multinational corporations with scruples reflecting all that is worst about globalization. The Co-op’s ethical investment policy, upon which they have just consulted every member for review, is a radical charter for good in a world full of greed and corruption. So some years ago, when my partner and I were looking for a little financial place of our own, to shack up in holy joint accountedness, I was attracted to a bank which seemed to match my own priorities for the world and my life. At the time I honestly thought that is...

Cazz 21.02.2002 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

Co-op Basic Bank Account - Poor to Bankrupt Credit History

Advantages: everything you need to function normally in a financially dependant society
Disadvantages: none

...For a debt riddled society and banking systems that have been quite happy to fuel such a situation I can honestly say that the Co-op basic bank account is definitely one for those who would like to be in complete control of their money i.e those who do not want to or can not live on bank credit. Most people are accepted including bankrupts POSITIVES No annual charges (the account is free), Visa electron card shop online & instore as well as withdraw cash at atms, pay money in via post, post office, at branches, set up direct debits & pay bills online, internet banking, great customer service, wages & benefits can be paid straight into account. Easy to apply online/phone/writing & quick set up time. BEWARE please note banking is free however if you do set up a direct debit for instance and the bank refuses to pay it due to...

dragonsurge 11.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank Accounts

how this bank helped me sort my life out.

Advantages: Very Friendly Staff,
Disadvantages: Tell you when i find any.

...Well you are probably wondering from the title what i am going to write about. Was i in so much trouble that i was going to take my own life. Was i in such a mess that i thought about running away and just trying to start a new life. Well i will explain, i started work for the co-op 5 years ago roughly, and i decided to also open a co-op bank account to get my wages paid in there monthly. I Went to the local branch, they was very very helpful, asked me what kind of bank account i would like, if i would like an overdraft on my account. what kind of account it was for, i explained it was for paying my wages in and so forth, until finally there we was, finished i had got my bank account set up, just a normal run of the mill, no overdraft bank account. So my first weeks wages went in, and i was there yes hooray, everything is...

mentalmickey100 28.04.2003 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

Basic Banking the "Ethical" Way - Cashminder

Advantages: Internet, Telephone, Post Office and Branch Banking
Disadvantages: None

...The Co-operative Bank can trace its origins back to 1872. The Bank grew steadily with branches opening in 3 major cities . In the post First World War years, in-store banking points were established in Co-op stores. Today, the Co-operative Bank is the only UK Bank to publish an ethical stance telling its customers who it will and will not do business with. Launched in May 1992, concerned people who do not wish their money to be used for unethical purposes have the opportunity to choose a bank that does not do business with unethical companies and organisations. Another first for the banks was to offer its customers a 24 hour a day telephone banking service and it is now one of the biggest telephone banking operators in the UK. The main purpose of this review is their “Cashminder” account. If you have ever had debt...

niallwebster 18.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

A Bank that makes you feel like a person

Advantages: Friendly to the individual and the world
Disadvantages: can get a bit mixed up sometimes

...I have banked with the Co-Operative bank in various ways for quite a few years now. Initially I used them primarily for savings and direct debits, but then swithced completely when my environmental conscience and love of small animals demanded that I abandon the evil, bunny-killing Natwest. I really like the Co-Op's ethical policy and the fact that they walk the walk rather than just talking the talk. I have always found the telephone banking services first rate, with friendly staff who are concerned to make sure your needs are being met rather than the bank's need for profit. Even if this isn't entrely true, they at least give the impression of genuinely having your interests at heart, which makes a pleasant change. However, my dealings with the bank have not been without one or two glitches. The first was when I opened my...

Medusa 10.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

The Bank that trys there best to say YES

Advantages: EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A CUSTOMER INSTEAD OF A PROFIT
Disadvantages: NOT ENOUGH BRANCHES

...I have just opened a bank account at the Co-Operative bank, and I would like to share my views with you, I will start of with; Customer Service I have really got to say the customer service that you get from the bank is second to none, I have only had dealings with call centres, and lets admit call centres don’t hold the best of reputations, but I find that they really do try and help, and are definitely not afraid of conversation, not only do you get the financial advice that you are asking for you also get a nice friendly person sat at the other side of the phone, who seems like they will go that extra mile to help you. I haven’t yet had to use a branch so I cant really comment to much on the customer service on a face to face level yet, but I expect it to be pretty much the same. Accessibility. You can never...

carl_1_uk 28.10.2001 · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank

banking with the co-op.UPDATED PLEASE READ

Advantages: fast, ethical, and really good customer service
Disadvantages: not many branches.

...I know I have written an op on Nat West, but I have changed banks since then. It was not a fault of theirs, but when you are as busy as I am, you need to get to the bank quickly and conveniently. I did apply for internet banking, but my signature could not be varified apparently, and they told me to go to my local branch to get it sorted. But I havnt got time for all that and when I have they are closed. Im in the city centre quite alot at lunchtime so I thought it would be convenient to have my account wih a bank that is present there. I looked around and there was a choice between Lloyds TSB, Abbey national, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Alliance and Leicester and of course The Co-operative Bank. I decided that after looking at all the websites, the best one was the Co-op bank. What made me decide this was the ethical...

micjb 07.05.2003 (04.06.2003) · Read review
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Review of Co-operative Bank