Coop Bank

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/28/bank-energy-company-what-chose

I so agreed with this column by Michele Hanson in which she had a bit of a rant about, amongst other things, the difficulty of knowing where to bank, get your energy, etc.

I was one of the customers who left RBS after they agreed to sell their branches in England to Santander, the sale was a requirement of the regulator when they took over NatWest.

I was sorry to go because at branch level RBS were the best bank I knew, friendly knowledgeable staff, and no call centres, you rang your branch direct. I moved to Nationwide because although it is a building society turned bank it is still a mutual business, which means that the customers own the bank not shareholders.

I was about to move to the co-op last year after 25 years with Lloyds. I've been happy with the service from them, but was increasingly concerned about ethical banking. It's a bit like political parties - not one you can totally trust to behave ethically.
Bit of a tangent - did anyone see the tv programme recently about The Bank of Dave? I enjoyed it and found Dave disarming and likeable. He hopes to run something of a People's Bank. The programme showed him arranging loans for small businesses, and talking about his ambitions and frustrations with the existing banks.

I have been with RBS for 50 years and almost moved to the Coop bank but I am so glad now that I did not as it would have been a bit of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that William and Glynn will take over. Really anybody but Santander. RBS lost quite a few customers when Santander showed more than an interest in taking over.

I really don't want to move again. I only joined the coop a year ago because of HSBC laundering money for Mexican drug lords.

They told me everything would go smoothly. I explained to them that there would be some cheques going out as we had some planning applications going through. WRONG. As these A/CSS were being switched I had a call from the council to say the cheque had bounced and the same from the Architect. I can't tell you how embaressed I was.

I have been with the Coop bank for about 30 yrs. Very happy so far.

Well the name is staying Co-operative and the continuation of the ethics are being written into the purchase I understand.

Any new owners would be mad to throw away the goodwill that the bank has, especially now it is even easier to move banks.

I am staying with them as long as I believe they are ethical. That's why I joined them in the first place.

You can switch bank accounts online - you don't need to go to a branch.

There's rarely a need to actually go into a bank these days. If I have a cheque to pay in then I go because it's nearby but if I lived far away I would send it by post, they supply special envelopes.

I've been with Smile bank for years and have been very satisfied with them. Excellent customer service when needed and efficient on-line operations.

My son, who works in a senior role in the City banks with them too and says he's staying with them, so I am too.

I had a problem with identity theft and the Coop were on to it straight away, they were brilliant. The police were useless. I'm going to wait and see what happens.

I have to say that I've had a couple of cases of identity theft/problems with someone taking too much from my account, and the Co-op have been really good and helpful, and have been really happy with them. Just not sure that will contine.

I agree Nonnie - I would NEVER use Santander. My Dad was with them and have also heard other horror stories.

Would like to use a Building Society,(possibly Nationwide) but their nearest branch is 25 miles away.

I read that moving banks is much easier now.

Anyone thinking of doing so should avoid Santander. Last time I looked at the Which site they had a warning about them. There are lots of complaints about them in the media.

Why not move to a building society, they're mutuals.

Nationwide has full banking facilities, cheque book, online banking, credit & debit card, etc.

Just looking at Which best banks for customer satisfaction, and First Direct is top, followed by Smile, then Co op. My brother in law used First Direct and recommends them..

I read that First Direct customers can use Post Office too, to withdraw and deposit money and check balances. This is important for me, as we are out in the sticks with not many banks near.

www.which.co.uk/money/bank-accounts/reviews-ns/bank-accounts/best-banks-for-customer-satisfaction/

I hate the hassle of moving banks, but am concerned about staying with Co-op.

That's the problem sunflower where to move my account? They are all as bad as each other!

I've been with them for over 40 years too, but am now concerned about current events. Wondering whether to move, and if so, who to?

Or did they know what they were doing?

Problem is Coop bankers were following Fred the Shred's example, but while he was knowingly reckless and staked everything on getting away with it. They didn't know enough about what they were doing to make sure a proper due diligence inspection was undertaken or realise that the one they received was inadequate.

I have found Britannia to be very efficient, only on a par with The Coventry. Both excellent to deal with.

FlickertyB. I think I'm right in saying that ' Fred the shred' of RBS didn't either.

I suspect part of the problem is that they were too high minded to appoint directors from the world of banking, preferring directors with a history of service in the co-op movement, but with less financial experience.

The other though have to say is that can"t say they were the most efficient in the world, all a bit shoe-stringy . hmmm

Difficult one petra , we have an account with the CO-op and are wondering what is going to happen ?

We have been customers of the Co-op Bank for forty+ years and are, like many others, dismayed by the current situation.

My own feeling is that whichever individual or individuals made the decision to purchase Britannia are responsible for the Co-op's downfall. What happened to due diligence? Why hasn't there been an investigation into why such a catastrophic transaction was entered into?

One wonders if other non-mutual banks are secretly delighted with the Co-op's downfall -now it will be much more difficult for consumers to avoid the sharks who care very little for their customers or ethical policies.