Raving Fans

American Express really delivered when I needed support. A well-known high street retailer wasn’t playing fairly, and I raised a dispute through Amex. After submitting evidence, they reviewed the case promptly and issued a partial refund immediately, no delays, no pushback.

It was a textbook example of how customer protection should work: clear process, responsive communication, and a genuine sense that they were on my side. In a landscape where many institutions rely on scripts and stall tactics, Amex stood out for their fairness and speed.

Highly recommended for anyone who values strong consumer protection and decisive support when things go wrong.

I appreciated Coventry Building Society’s approach for a long time. Their savings products were clear, and I felt they offered a thoughtful alternative to high-street banking. But after a recent experience with a group company, Co-op Bank, now under Coventry’s ownership, I’ve had to close all my accounts.

My decision wasn’t taken lightly. I value ethical banking and had hoped this group would reflect those principles in practice. Unfortunately, the service I received from Co-op Bank fell short, and the lack of meaningful engagement with my concerns made it impossible to continue trusting the wider group.

Ethical branding must be matched by ethical service, responsive, transparent, and accountable. I hope Coventry reflects on how group decisions and customer experience are connected. I’ve moved my finances to providers who demonstrate care not just in their messaging, but in how they treat people.

I genuinely wanted to bank with Co-op. Their ethical branding appealed to me, and I was prepared to align my finances accordingly. But the experience has been deeply disappointing, marked by scripted responses, unresolved complaints, and a lack of meaningful engagement.

Despite raising concerns early and requesting account cancellation under the 14-day cooling-off period, my account still appears to be active. The complaints department failed to understand the issue, and repeated generic replies have eroded my confidence in Co-op’s commitment to fair banking.

As a result, I’ve closed all my Coventry Building Society accounts too. Their acquisition of Co-op Bank means I can’t continue working with a group that doesn’t take the time to understand problems or treat customers with care. Once my Co-op account is formally closed, I intend to raise the matter with the Financial Ombudsman.

Ethical banking should be backed by ethical service, responsive, transparent, and human. Co-op fell short on all three.

I’ve really enjoyed using Principality’s savings products, especially their 6-month regular savers. As someone new to saving, I’ve found their approach very beginner-friendly, clear terms, helpful guidance, and a genuine sense that they want to support people starting their savings journey.

Once a standing order is set up, the process runs smoothly and doesn’t really require my input, which makes it easy to stay consistent. Their regular saver has been a great way to build the habit, and I appreciate how accessible their products are.

The only small challenge I’ve found is with account referencing: instead of direct account numbers, you use reference codes to identify your accounts. If you’ve opened more than one, it can get a bit confusing to keep track.

Overall, I feel they’re aligned with savers like me, thoughtful, supportive, and easy to engage with. Just a little more clarity on account identification would make the experience even smoother.

I recently switched to Lloyds to diversify my finances after exploring a few ethical banking options that didn’t quite meet expectations. The switching process with Lloyds was smooth and efficient, and I appreciated being able to visit a local branch where I was warmly welcomed and supported with my questions.

I narrowly missed out on the latest switching incentive, which was disappointing given the timing. I’ve since written to Lloyds to ask if they’d consider reviewing my eligibility, if they do, I’d be happy to update this to five stars. So far, their service has been solid and reassuring.

Leeds Building Society supported me through a major milestone earlier this year, staircasing my shared ownership to full ownership via a remortgage. Out of all the parties involved, they were the only ones who took the time to ask how I was doing, not just what I needed. That empathy made a real difference.

They understood my circumstances, listened carefully, and made the process feel human. As a first-time buyer, I’ve always appreciated their values, especially through initiatives like Losthaven and this experience only deepened my trust. I plan to stay with Leeds not just because they’ve helped me, but because I believe in the way they help others too.

Like many others, I noticed a change in quality following Untamed’s recent rebrand. My cat, who previously devoured every can, now turns her nose up — the food no longer looks as fresh, and something clearly isn’t the same.

What’s most frustrating is the lack of communication. No explanation was offered for the change, and I’m now struggling to secure a refund for food she won’t touch. It’s a shame, as I used to recommend Untamed for both quality and ethics.

I’ve switched to HiLife as a stopgap — it’s palatable enough, but doesn’t carry the same B Corp credentials I valued with Untamed. Disappointed to see a brand lose its way.