Ethical banks????

jacnal · 18th August 2006, 14:47

Does anyone out there know if there are any ethical banks out there that are truly interested in their customer welfare? A search on google brings up a few, amongst them the Co-Operative bank. But has anyone ever had to deal with them, and if so, are they any better than the abbeys, lloyds and barclays?

Any input at all welcome.

Jac x

Batfink · 18th August 2006, 14:51

I've recently opened a parachute with the co-op and it's running fine.

They have details of what their "ethical policy" means in the branches, nip in and ask for a copy...

Phil3822 · 18th August 2006, 17:16

I've had a cashminder account with them for a fair ol' while. Their not bad, better than alot. Up until a few months back they would not charge you for many things like missed DD's etc on the cashminder.

Their customer service centre is very good and online banking is nice and simple. I've been impressed other than not having a branch nearby. The post officer has helped though.

dolly · 18th August 2006, 17:25

I love the co-op - my mum recommended them to me as she has banked with them since they changed over from Girobank. UK call centres as well which is fab.

Niklowe · 18th August 2006, 17:31

I'm unable to imagine Ethical & bank in the same sentence, LOL

jacnal · 19th August 2006, 21:06

Thank you guys, I'll try the Co-op. I wonder if they can give me a basic current account with a bad credit record? I was naughty years ago, didn't pay my council tax for my old address, and they've managed to track me down, and seems like they've recently given me a default, threatening bankruptcy. Is this possible?

ceejaylufc · 21st August 2006, 13:12

The Co-Operative bank are fine - I bank with them and am really happy. There is an Ecology Building Society but I haven't had any dealings with them

thewifeandI · 21st August 2006, 15:22

The Co-op's ethical stance is about how they invest their (your) money, rather than how they deal with customers and bank charges. Have a good read of their Ts&Cs (it's the only real way to compare banks - if you can find a difference!). I think they have a slighty worse than average OD charges regime, but if you don't intend to exceed your limit it won't be a problem.

andrew1 · 21st August 2006, 18:48

I have a Ltd Company bank account with the co-op and to be honest they have been terrific. I went through a bad patch and wrote to the regarding the 900 charges they had made to the account £10 perday unauthorised Overdraft charge.

I just told them all the arguments going on here and they repaid the lot no squabbles at all. - I don't suppose they liked it but they paid up.

CLR · 21st August 2006, 19:06

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