Co-op Cashminder Account

swimmer_2

I opened one of these recently and its an account that is basic with a debit card, no overdraft, no cheque book, but phone banking, int banking, and direct debits no probs. It apparently is also a good account for people with financial problems, bad credit scores etc. What amazed me and I literally fall off my chair is how quick they answer the phone!! No press this, press that rubbish, just a person in Britain saying hello how can I help within 20 seconds of ringing! Wow, what a difference compared to my HSBC account that I have ditched which required typing in half a novel into the phone :mad: before someone answered then they would often ask for the details again anyway as the pass numbers etc had not registered.

Also, the Co-op is customer owned, so I'm pleased I've dumped the multi national corporation... They wont be missed.:T

More details here;

http://www.harduptimes.blogspot.com/2012/01/coop-cashminder-account.html

chanz4

they are naff at transfering dds

teffers

Also be VERY careful relying on their online banking information. It can take days for a transaction, that other banks show immediately, to show up - can cause confusion at the very least.

Before getting too enamoured and caught up with the ethical/co-operative frontend have a read of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Co-operative_Bank

It's merged with Britannia BS so it's not a true co-op in the real sense of the word ... it is afterall still a bank in the way it thinks and does business, including investing for Tobacco producers etc.

I'm glad I have my Co-op account as a standby but I couldn't use it day to day, it's just too slow and the online banking just isn't good enough.

swimmer_2

A cheque I put in cleared super quick and the customer service staff have been a dream. Open 24/7 British call centre staff, super polite and friendly! As for internet banking, I got caught out on HSBC a few times as the latest transactions page always show balance before cheque has cleared, so that was confusing. Admittedly the Co-op internet banking is more basic looking, but at the same time i think this is a big plus for many people, especially elderly people or not that good at using the internet. Very simple to use. Also I have found out you can deposit cheques and money as well as withdraw money from POST OFFICES!! I'm impressed.