Co-operative Bank Business Bank Account Reviews

Click here if this is your business
Co-operative Bank Business Bank Account
★☆☆☆☆
1.4
13.0% of users recommend this
Click here if this is your business
  • Customer service

  • Value For Money

? Ask our helpful community of experts about this product or company
Co-operative Bank Business Bank Account - Ask a question now

Media Gallery for Co-operative Bank Business Bank Account

Refine your search

  • Average Rating Over Time
  • Within the last month ***** (From 0 reviews)
  • Within the last 6 months *** (From 0 reviews)
  • Within the last 12 months * (From 0 reviews)

Latest Reviews

“cannot get a simple listing of last quarter's transactions”

★☆☆☆☆

written by simmonsm42 on 05/07/2021

They have now made it impossible for me to use as I cannot get a report of transactions for the last 3 months. I can pick start and end date but all I get it the last months transactions. Given that VAT is done on quarterly basis you'd have thought it would be readily available query. Spent far too long trying this and there is not way to chat to them online. Cannot phone anyone about this because last time I tried I gave up waiting. Going to move banks asap!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Avoid”

★☆☆☆☆

written by sueanne21 on 13/04/2021

You will wait absolutely ages to get through to the customer services. Very frustrating as we cannot access our business account. I need to find what customers have paid us. Whenever you ring them expect to wait over an hour

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Difficult to navigate, no help (after login)!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by nrMcAllister237 on 03/06/2020

Business Account - Spent the last 90mins trying to obtain a Transaction Report for a current account without success. There appears to be no Help on the site (after login). Thankfully, I will be moving my account shortly. Useless!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“FSB account: Online banking hopelessly outdated”

★★☆☆☆

written by McGarry75 on 03/03/2020

Like many people I applied for Co-Op's free business banking account due to the affiliation with the FSB. The problem is - there's a reason it's free. Opening the account took about 3 weeks which is a bit unnecessary. But once up and running, I was somewhat dismayed to see how poor the online banking is. Since the vast majority of transactions are dealt with though this, it's a bit important! Firstly: The layout is confusing and illogical. This was not designed to get information quickly or efficiently. Second: If you're logged in and someone sends a transaction, you basically have to log out and log back in again before you can see. There's no live updating. Third: You cannot download a statement. You can download a list of transactions (after what feels like a lot of hunting around and messing about), but it is simply not possible to download a PDF bank statement. There are no options for paperless statements - everything is through the post. Ridiculous in this day and age. I have a personal Co-Op account which generally works fine and from which you can download PDF statements! The business banking site just feels hopelessly out of date and unfit for purpose. I decided that after a month I'd had enough so wanted to close the account. Of course, there online banking has no direct communication with staff. Account closures have to be done by post and it's somewhat telling that they have a specific closure form for people unhappy with the online banking!! Closure form was posted off and then... nothing. No acknowledgement and as far as I know the account is still open. This pretty much sums up the whole experience. Instead I opened a business account with HSBC. What a contrast. Account was up and running within a working week with two phone calls to check details and update me with the progress. Their online banking just works and has none of the issues the Co-Op does. HSBC's account or site is not revolutionary - but it does highlight just how bac Co-Op's business account service is. Sorry Co-Op, I know you're ethical, but the product needs to work properly and this...doesn't. The fact that it's free is illrelevant. The FSB need to look elsewhere!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 4 0

“Impossible”

★☆☆☆☆

written by LuciaWhitehead on 17/09/2019

Co-op online banking is impossible to use unless you’re from the actual past where slow, frustrating interfaces that did absolutely nothing were par for the course. Here in the 2019 we’re trying to get on with our lives and make use of internet banking in a way that doesn’t make us cry and want to set our own heads on fire.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 1 1

“So tired tired of waiting ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Brittanyv17 on 19/03/2019

I am already a co-op account holder but we needed a business account for our freehold management company. We sent in all the application material but there was apparently a problem with it. AFter 3 attempts to get the correct information to them - I suspect there may be some sort of black hole in their account opening office - they have finally confirmed receipt of our documents. I was then told by the less than helpful young man on the phone that we had gone to the bottom of the pile and that they would get to our account in due coures after that it might be another 20 days before our account is open. Previsou to this I have literally spent hours on the phone to trying to establish where we were with the appication and trying to track down our missing paperwork. I guess by the time we have an account it will be around 2 months from the date of application or am I being slightly opimtistic here. Less than satisfactory!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Avoid avoid avoid !”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 05/05/2018

I have given up on the application process for the coop business bank account after experiencing awful customer service. I have been waiting 6 weeks for my application to be processed, despite completing all the documentation and responding to their requests within 1 working day. They hide behind process and do not communicate at all, whether that be by phone, email or post. Even now, I have not received a single communication from them and have had to chase everything, calling every 2 days on average. The staff are unprofessional and simply do not understand the needs of their customers. I have cancelled my "ongoing" application and am just glad that I don't have to bank with them going forward. Please avoid at all costs..........

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 2 0

“Could a bank be worse run?”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Realton on 27/09/2017

Co Op Business account hacked so I was told to cut up my Visa card. 7 days later no card despite them saying it had been sent out. So now a new card will be issued to arrive in 3-6 working days. So two weeks without a Visa card, and if this one doesn't turn up maybe even longer.Absolutely unacceptable. 25 minute wait to be put through to an operator didn't help either. I presumed once they had got rid of the junkie that ran Co Op things may change for the better. Obviously not. Business banking page from Co Op is also grossly slow and outdated.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Applying an FSB account”

★☆☆☆☆

written by dlcl on 08/03/2016

As other reviewers have mentioned the process was the same for me. I applied over the phone, was credit checked and got an immediate approval. After hearing nothing for 3 weeks I telephoned on a system that provides choices with no explanation. Got through told I made the wrong selection... a 1 in 4 gamble really. When I got through to someone I think I must have woken them up as they just answered the phone with Uh! He told me my application had not been assigned to anyone. Just received the partially completed application forms in the post. Clearly not approved as I have to provide bank statements and some invoices. Not sure I'm going to proceed with it. The saying is NOTHING IS FREE. The price in this instance seems to incompetence. Is it worth the risk?!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“FSB member applying for FSB business account”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Savvy and Proud on 28/09/2015

Applied around 6 weeks ago by phone, was told on phone they had everything they needed to proceed and I was accepted in principle. Then a few weeks later received a form asking the same questions, completed and sent back same day. Then they called and as I was unable to talk to them there and then, they emailed with questions I had already answered. They then came back via email with a discrepancy over the address (we live in a village and one invoice only stated the address minus the village name, same otherwise even down to post code and city). Right now waiting for FSB to ring me back as I have rang them before just cancelling, the lady who answered the phone at the FSB understood why I am less than impressed with the cooperative bank. Cooperative my foot, no help at all!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Michaelma47's Response to Savvy and Proud's Review

Written on: 21/01/2016

They are pretty useless,but once u get account it works ok and its free

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“FSB member applying for FSB business account”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Savvy and Proud on 28/09/2015

Applied around 6 weeks ago by phone, was told on phone they had everything they needed to proceed and I was accepted in principle. Then a few weeks later received a form asking the same questions, completed and sent back same day. Then they called and as I was unable to talk to them there and then, they emailed with questions I had already answered. They then came back via email with a discrepancy over the address (we live in a village and one invoice only stated the address minus the village name, same otherwise even down to post code and city). Right now waiting for FSB to ring me back as I have rang them before just cancelling, the lady who answered the phone at the FSB understood why I am less than impressed with the cooperative bank. Cooperative my foot, no help at all!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“existing customer -Un co-operative”

★☆☆☆☆

written by jalg on 27/08/2015

Having banked with Co-op for 4 years I am now in the process of switching away. As my business has now grown I have the need to open both a client account and a business savings account. My existing account is in credit and i do not seek any credit facilities. I was given mixed information from the co-op at all stages as to the status of my application - from being told they required another signature (turned out not to be the case) to one of your applications has been accepted and the other has been declined to one has been declined and one has not yet been reviewed. On all occasions I had to do the chasing to get answers. I appealed the decision and had no response to my 'declined' application and I have now cancelled my under review application and have arranged to switch my existing account to the RBS - who provide a friendly business manager, who genuinely assists you with growing your business. All banks have red tape to go through but the Co-Op application process requires the completion vast amounts of repetitive paperwork (despite these accounts all linking to my existing) There is a severe lack of assistance for small businesses. Only point of contact is via a call center which is purely functional. I was told an account manager is only available when account has £1m or more turnover. They advertise their accounts as having lower fees etc, however if indeed this is true it is worth paying any extra for a bank that provides assistance and advice to small businesses. The internet banking facility is somewhat primitive. Don't waste your time with the co-op, bank with someone else.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Michaelma47's Response to jalg's Review

Written on: 21/01/2016

Not surprised coop is Micky Mouse bank run by thickest people on planet

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Slow account opening procedure for Business Accounts. ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by 242Little on 21/07/2015

I am currently going through the account opening procedure with Co-operative Bank Business Accounts. The process is incredibly slow. Emails are not looked at for several days, and no responses are sent to emails to acknowledge receipt. Staff are so concerned with procedure that they think this is normal. This is all very frustrating when I'm setting up a business, and cashflow is critical.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Michaelma47's Comment

Written on: 21/01/2016

Please do your self a favour,try a proper bank

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Jll74's Comment

Written on: 19/03/2019

Hi there you seem to be somewhat of an expert on business banking so would be very grateful if you would suggest an alternative bank? thank you.

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Old fashioned, clumsy, slow, inconvenient”

★☆☆☆☆

written by HeavenPower on 28/06/2015

Joined through the FSB for free banking. My, how I wish we hadn't bothered. The online banking system is like some kind of disastrous stock control system from the mid-90s. There's no mobile app, and if you set up an "immediate" payment after 5pm it takes several DAYS to get there. Misleading statement screens only show four transactions and don't update after you make a payment. Awful login system with stupid security token. We complained to the FSB who said they would consider removing their endorsement - not a moment too soon. Meanwhile, we are switching back to our old bank.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.

Michaelma47's Comment

Written on: 21/01/2016

There is a mobile app doesn't work

Reply to this comment
If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“HOPELESS AND HAPLESS”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 06/02/2014

Their website is shamefully bad. Archaic! Also I rang them today as a direct debit I had cancelled has been taken. The guy I spoke to made no effort to check for me that I'd cancelled it. He told me he had no access to my online account which I found incredible. He just told me to call the recipient and ask for a refund. When I complained that he should be able to confirm whether or not it was cancelled he said he would speak to a technician who said it had not been cancelled. Strange that online I can see that the recipient has been removed from the list of beneficiaries so it sounds like the process was started but not completed.Wish I'd stayed with Santander!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Avoid, Avoid, Avoid”

★☆☆☆☆

written by kj100 on 22/01/2014

The co-operative business banking may be cheap as I am a FSB member and don't pay any charges, but the service provided by them is diabolical. If you just need to pay money in and pay a few supplier/bills you any be ok, anything else such as overdrafts, loans, business cards etc. forget it, they do there utmost to be unknowledgeable, unhelpful, obstructive. They will not even provide you with basic information regarding charges with out a battle. Call centre staff seem to be clueless about business banking, they can do exactly the same as the automated service, little else other than getting someone to phone you back in a few days at their convenience, assuming they can be bothered.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Only here for free banking, but paying for it hassle wise!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 22/12/2013

Took me nearly 3 months to get a debit card and token. Got my name wrong on all cheque books, tried to sort several times on phone just took forever and complicated paying for things which I ended up using my personal account for which will make it very complicated come tax return time. I joined them for ethical reasons and free business banking for 18months - but since the ethical side is now questionable as its not really in their own hands anymore and once my free banking has run out I'll be like a rat out of an aquaduct! Online banking is not user friendly at all.... if you are paying for your account I would go elsewhere.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Constant & unresolved problems.”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 01/12/2013

I run a small Community Interest Company and have a Coop Account to service that business. Coop operate a weekday only service, I do most of my banking at the weekend. For the last three weekends I have been unable to access my account - there has been explanation why this is so. As a result I have had to take time of work on money, go through the lengthy sercurity checks to speak to CS only to find they have no idea why my account is blocked. The telephone banking service is cumbersome and unhelpful. This all contrasts very strongly will my Coop Personal Accounts. I plan to close this account and take my business elsewhere asap!

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“AVOID AVOID AVOID”

★☆☆☆☆

written by UNHAPPYCUSTOMER08 on 13/11/2013

Have been with the Co-Op since 2008 and initially their on-line banking experience left a little to be desired. Subsequent upgrades (about a year later) resulted in a great service. My issues tend to be regarding administrative ones. Simple things like requesting a second token so business partner could access on-line banking and changing address are far too difficult resulting in numerous phone calls and just wasting time. The worst for me was the most recent decision where the signature on our letter to confirm a change of address did not match the original mandate for one of the business partners. It took 6 weeks for this to be sent to us. Three phone calls (from abroad) and confirmation from the "offending" party that it was her signature did not assist. These may seem like small issues but they take far longer to resolve than should be and has resulted in the decision to close our accounts with them.

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

“Online Banking, 5-7 Days if your token breaks (so no...”

★★★☆☆

written by on 14/10/2013

Moved to Co-Op many years ago, Originally very happy with service, good value & pay in cheques by post (postage paid) v.usefull for my business. Perhaps a small issue but has a big consequence. My token (the little keypad) that you need to log on, broke. There is no way to get onto online banking without, perhaps good for security reasons. However I phoned to get a new one, advised up to 5 working days. I said this was pretty poor as no way to easily pay bills & wages. I assumed this was being on the safe side & probably get within a day or so. Originally I phoned on a Friday, come the following Friday no sign! I phoned & was advised that it was 5-7 Days and send 2nd class post, might get Saturday. Of course not arrived Sat. This is extremely poor, Considering the significance you would have thought they would sort this quicker, as least next day delivery, perhaps a day to program or whatever surely they don't have to do very often. If I was a bigger company and had 10-20 employees to pay & perhaps dozens of bills I would be furious, I am not very pleased as it is. To phone is slow, you have to set up all the existing reciepeients again, sort code & accounts & references etc. they can't just use what is already there, my personal bank can simply make payments just by a name. Although www big improvement on what it use to be (security, thankfully also) is is still quite poor by todays standards

If you are commenting on behalf of the company that has been reviewed, please consider upgrading to Official Business Response for higher impact replies.
Was this review helpful? 0 0

Our helpful community of likeminded people will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Before posting your question please check to see that it has not already been asked.

Thanks for asking a question.

Once we've checked over your question we will put it live on the site and our strong community of experts will hopefully give you some great answers that you find useful.

We will email you when the question is on the site

Asked by parksweets on 27th August 2015 Report this content
I am supposed to be having free banking with the fsb co op banking but as I run a sweet shop I deal in cash so my banking is not free at all and they are increasing payment rate from 40p per £100 over £4000 paid in now a month increasing to 90p over £2000 in October. So unless you bank only £500 a week which is not enough to keep going then the banking is not free at all. Any ideas of another account better for cash payments? Should I buy more purchases with cash rather than card and paying wages in cash perhaps?

Thanks for answering this question.

Once we've checked over your answer we will put it live on the site so others can gain from your experience. We rely on members like you to sustain our vibrant community so thanks again, we couldn't do it without you.

We will email your when your answer is on the site

overview