I'm with Co-operative Bank - any reason to change?

Alan_Cross

I've been with the Co-op for nearly 20 years since switching to them from what was the TSB.

This is theoretically a branch based current account - the ease of operating it via both phone and internet banking compensated for their closure some years ago of my nearest branch.

No interest is paid but then I get free banking provided I stay in credit.

I have found their phone/internet service and customer service in general to be pretty good. A couple of years ago when mysterious debits started appearing on my statements (owing to a cloned card) they refunded the amounts quickly and with no questions asked.

Question: is this situation beatable? Are others finding a good level of customer service with their banks PLUS some kind of useful interest situation?

Apologies for any naivety!

tobiascurious

yeah you should at least pretend to switch current accounts to one of the providers who offer incentives for doing so

try out their customer service whilst keeping the Co-op account

Halifax offer £5 reward per month just for putting £1,000 in...

peachyprice

If it isn't broken, don't fix it

Jennifer_Jane

I agree with the OP about Co-op. I moved for £100 incentive, then moved to Abbey for another £100. The difference was amazing. So I'm now back to Co-op. The online access is easy to manage, and when I go into the branch they are friendly and efficient.

I feel confident with them, and now that Egg don't want positive balances, I'm happy to be with Co-op.

Jen

jonesMUFCforever

I agree with some of the other posters - if it ain't broke don't fix it - that £100 bribe can soon turn out to be a poisoned chalice!

However if you have a grand or more a month going through your account then there are accounts out there that pay a decent rate of interest if the Coop don't offer this.

never-in-doubt

Alan_Cross wrote: »

I've been with the Co-op for nearly 20 years since switching to them from what was the TSB.

This is theoretically a branch based current account - the ease of operating it via both phone and internet banking compensated for their closure some years ago of my nearest branch.

No interest is paid but then I get free banking provided I stay in credit.

I have found their phone/internet service and customer service in general to be pretty good. A couple of years ago when mysterious debits started appearing on my statements (owing to a cloned card) they refunded the amounts quickly and with no questions asked.

Question: is this situation beatable? Are others finding a good level of customer service with their banks PLUS some kind of useful interest situation?

Apologies for any naivety!

If you are happy with phone and internet banking then First Direct is the daddy of banks - hard to get but once in it's a great bank. Maybe the only downside is the interest rate but unsure of comparables.....

7sefton

Just out of interest to the OP, which branch did they close? I'm unaware of any recent Co-op branch closures...

withnell

never-in-doubt wrote: »

If you are happy with phone and internet banking then First Direct is the daddy of banks - hard to get but once in it's a great bank. Maybe the only downside is the interest rate but unsure of comparables.....

I closed my First Direct last night - Secure messages I sent were incorrectly replied to (and disappear as soon as you have viewed them, leaving little trail), I was misinformed about First Direct's own procedures twice, a manager on the phone told me that using the geographic number you can't activate the account (you can), had to ask 4 times to get the reward paid, and was told that I had to transfer my banking, which was incorrect.

I've had a couple of issues with Halifax when I first opened the account, but they were sorted by the next day and the manager rang me to let me know progress twice. Barclays are also good, and having faster payments you can move your money into a decent paying savings account easily!

Alan_Cross

7sefton wrote: »

Just out of interest to the OP, which branch did they close? I'm unaware of any recent Co-op branch closures...

I did say the closure was some years ago.

Cheltenham branch.

Looks like the Halifax might be worth considering, even so.

Joseph_Michael

i bank with co-op currently too, nothing has gone wrong as of yet but i will be closing my account with them this coming week as i now bank with hsbc and lloyds tsb :-)
Although they are very friendly staff they don't seem to be as well informed or know much more than basic paying in/out queries! Shame really or they would be excellent

Kavanne

only point in switching is if you want some free money from another bank!