The Cooperative Bank

Do you know where your money is going when you put it into the bank or have you never really thought about it? Most people don't but with the Co-operative Bank you can have say and if you do give-a-monkey's your mind will be at ease. The Co-op does not invest in the arms trade or any other evil businesses, rather, they support things like wind farms and sustainable energy.

Unlike most other major banks, there isn't one on every corner so if you want to deal face to face with the Cooperative Bank you will have to go all the way into town. This is only slightly annoying. This branch in Leeds is pretty big and offers all the things you would expect - cash points, counter services and someone to chat to if you want to set up an account or the like. I changed to this bank from my old one for ethical reasons and I hope more people start to consider this option too. I wasn't encouraged by the woman on the end of the phone of my last bank though. She asked me my reasons for changing bank and when I said 'ethics' she thought I meant 'ethnics'. Even after I spelled the word out to her she didn't know what I was on about.

One of the most frustrating banks I know. It is almost always packed with queues often poking out of the door.


The staff are friendly enough but when there are 9 or 10 people in the queue and only 1 service window working while 2 or 3 other employees sit quietly at windows which are closed you have to wonder about the management skills of the place. Very poor!

I have banked with the Cooperative for over 5 years. My account is well managed and I am not one for defaults bank charges ect. 

This weekend my bank card declined when I called to enquire why (as I knew 100% I have plenty available) they advised me they had closed my accountaccount a couple of days beforebefore without my consent. I was shocked and extremely confused. Their explanation "we have closed your account due to recent business policy criteria changes" 4 days on and still I do not understand what is meant by this and after speaking with 4 different employees it seems they also dont understand. This has caused me numerous defaults and charges on various billa and charges ect. I had no means of paying for my food shopping or fuel. They told me I would have to go into branch for my money! Which meant taking time off work. Its caused me problems in earning money with no fuel and no means of purchasing vital things required to earn money. Its cost me a days holiday from my full time employment to sort out new bank. Every lunch hour us taken up with calling companies changing bank details not to mention it has effected my credit file at a time crucial as preparing to buy my home! They told me today they should respond to my complqint within 8 weeks. I intend to make a claim with the help of the financial ombudsman and I would never ever recommend them to anyone. How they have treated a long term and well managed account customer is just beyond me. As a single mother struggling with a full time job plus part time business trying to make ends meet I cannot afford for this trauma they have caused. It is appalling. I will review on every site I can find to warn potential new victims. And will not rest until they put right their wrong!