Co-Op Bank takeover

OH has a Co-op bank account and he did mention to me about the Coventry BS taking over. He will be watching with interest as he has had problems with contacting the Co-op in the past - let's hope that has been resolved with the takeover.

It is a real nuisance when there are no bank branches open too and I might recommend he moves to the Nationwide although how much longer our local branch stays open is anyones guess.

When the Co-Op Bank closed locally I changed to Nationwide as there are three branches within about five miles of my home. Nationwide supplied me with a chequebook but it’s seldom used as I pay most bills by credit card.

I have a Nationwide cheque book in my handbag and use it on occasion.

I'd say Nationwide but as you still use cheques not sure if they still issue them.

I've been with the CoOp bank for over 50 years and with the Coventry building society for over 20 years and never had anything less than a good experience with them. I was sorry that the CoOp stopped their 24/7 phone lines but understand why they had to. Unfortunately that's meant that there is often a queue of callers waiting to speak to a customer services advisor and you can be kept on hold for a little while. But I offset that with the fact that their call centre is UK based, doesn't struggle to understand my accent and are always cheerful and willing to help. So long as none of that changes, I'll stick around.

First Direct have been oustandingly efficient - we changed to them about three years ago when our bank in town closed, and we are so impressed; friendly, helpful human beings at the end of the phone, and a second to none service.

I think Covenrty Building Society is most professional and helpful. There is a very personal approach that I haven’t experienced any where else. It feels almost old fashioned in the very best way and it’s actually highly efficient. For day to day banking I’m with Santander and I’ve never had any issues. Co op bank has a strong ethical aspect. I might change to them now.

We had several accounts including our children’s accounts with the Britannia Building Society before it was taken over by the Co-op Bank. But once it was with the Co-op both my sons had ongoing issues with their accounts, so we all moved our accounts out and have never looked back. Found the co-op staff to be very unhelpful, which was frustrating as the original Britannia staff all left because of the way they were treated. Bumped into one of the BBS assistant managers on the train and she said it was a toxic environment after the takeover.

We're very happy with Santander. Why not change to almost any other bank which induces you with £150 to join them? I think most banks are much of a muchness.

There are many more reasons why a cheque may bounce:

Cheques may be dishonoured by a financial institution because:

1. There are insufficient cleared funds in the account to cover the value of the cheque.

2. The account holder has instructed the bank not to pay the cheque (called a stopped cheque).

3. The account holder's funds have been frozen.

4. The account does not actually exist, either due to a false cheque being presented, an error in writing the account number, or the account being closed.

5. The cheque has expired, is cashed before the date on the cheque, or the date on the cheque is erroneous.

6. There is a discrepancy in the amounts written in numbers and the amount in words.

7. The cheque is scribbled or overwritten.

8. The signature on the cheque does not match the signature on file of the account holder or an authorised signatory on the account, or has touched the MICR strip on the cheque.

9. The cheque is damaged.

OP has confirmed is that there are sufficient funds so we can discount 1 to 4 but it could be for one of the others reason and nothing to do with the takeover.

I am long-time treasurer of a local charity that used the co-op. No issues ever. But also use Nationwide for some personal accounts and found them also v good. Their travel insurance quotes have been brilliant, even with my long list of medical issues.

Somebody in Sweden (!) cloned my Co-op credit card at New Year and the Co-op stopped the fraudulent transaction, cancelled the card and sent me a new one within 3 days. I was impressed by the service.

It's probably a rare blip from the Co-op although a frustrating one.

am with the Co-op and have not had any issues

Another here who is very content with service from the Coventry, maybe things will improve nongranny. Frustrating for sure.

MoneySavingExpert says this

For the time being, there is NO change to the Co-op Bank's or Coventry's products or services – so you can keep using them as normal.
It seems odd that you are having problems. Perhaps it's a blip and lack of staff over the Christmas/New Year period?

www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/04/coventry-building-society-co-op-bank-customers/

Co-op have been taken over by Coventry Building Society. Never used Co-op, but I think Coventry is great. Good interest rates, great communications. Hopefully it will improve for you.

Move to Nationwide. I did that when my previous bank started messing me around and I have not had any problems since.