Charities testimonials
Disasters Emergency Committee
“In an environment where making personal contact with a banker normally involves going through several hoops and not necessarily to the same person every time, the bank has assigned Tim Coppen (from the Specialist Charity Team) as our Relationship Manager. They’ve provided his contact details, including his mobile number,” he says. “It’s good to know Tim is only a phone call away and the DEC has been able to use this resource, especially during and immediately after an Appeal launch. We would happily recommend the bank to other organisations. In particular we would highlight the personal relationship with a consistent named contact.”
- Brendan Gormley, Chief Executive, Disasters Emergency Committee
NSPCC
“Our banking relationship evolved from an initial pilot over 10 years ago, and is now a fully-centralised banking service that includes over 800 bank accounts for fundraising branches at both local and national levels. We appreciate the sympathetic service received by our voluntary Treasurers when raising local queries, together with the benefits from ‘grouping’ all the accounts to ensure income from surplus balances is maximised.”
- Stuart Lawrinson, Banking Support Officer, NSPCC
Mrs Henrietta Frances Le Personne Benevolent Trust
“Despite the difficult financial situation nationally, the Co-operative Bank responded quickly and positively to the Le Personne Benevolent Trust’s request for funding for a further project to modernise our remaining bedsit premises. By committing to provide the core funding, the Bank allowed us to commence the project and adjust the scope depending on the availability of a Social Housing Grant. As a small Housing Association and an Almshouse, it was this flexibility and support that gave our Trustees the confidence to proceed. Our thanks go to David Bolton, our Relationship Manager, who guided us again to a successful conclusion”.
- Rob Richards, Trustee of the charity, Mrs Henrietta Frances Le Personne Benevolent Trust
Manchester Enterprise Academy
“It was The Co-operative Bank’s ethical stance and expertise in the charity sector that made it a logical banking partner. But the synergies go much further. We wanted an organisation that understood the process and shared our mission and the specialist Charity Team (North and Midlands), led by Barbara Hodgson, fitted the bill. Their efficiency has impressed me and our relationship can only get stronger as the bank offers us products and services that help to improve our business.”
- Damian McGuire, Corporate Services Manager, Manchester Enterprise Academy
Henmans LLP
“Debbie Wheeler, The Co-operative Bank’s Head of Charity & Social Enterprise Banking, attended our first Intellectual Property seminar last July and we’ve been looking for ways to work together since then. The joint seminar we hosted for charities in London in February 2009 was the first result of that collaboration. One of the ways The Co-operative Bank adds value is by understanding the issues that affect their customers and then helping to resolve them, either by providing expertise themselves or through their network of professional contacts.”
- Stephen Brett, Associate at Henmans LLP
Community Links
“We feel comfortable with our banking partnership with The Co-operative Bank as their concern for the community produces an excellent fit with our work. Our partnership has developed over time and we have been particularly impressed that we have been able to build a relationship with a dedicated Relationship Manager who has been in post for a number of years, providing continuity and an understanding of our needs. The unpredictable nature of grant income has from time-to-time affected our cash flow, but with the assistance of short-term finance from the bank, we have been able to manage the peaks and troughs.”
- Gordon Lane, Finance Director, Community Links
University of East Anglia Finance Division
“The Co-operative Bank was able to meet all of the University of East Anglia’s rigorous benchmarks, and the combination of attractive returns and financial strength set it apart from other providers. The bank was highly competitive with its rates and active in seeking our business. It also had a strong risk rating which met our stringent investment criteria. The Guaranteed Investment Accounts allow us to put funds on deposit to mature when they’ll be needed. And we get the benefit of competitive returns, the deposit term that best suits us and a personal touch.”
- Rob Bell, Tax and Research Accountant, University of East Anglia Finance Division
Kids City
“As we grew, it became clear that our previous bank was not entirely serious about supporting charities that required more than a simple service but we have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of assistance provided by The Co-operative Bank in helping us establish a number of different accounts. We feel confident that as we plan to expand further, the bank will be providing us with appropriate advice and guidance as our banking needs continue to develop."
- Jackie Nunns, Kids City
The Guinness Partnership
“Britannia, now part of The Co-operative Bank, has supported The Guinness Partnership for more than 15 years and continues to play an important role in delivering homes and communities. I look forward to us working together in the future.”
- Michaela Booth, Group Treasurer, The Guinness Partnership
University of Chester Church of England Academy
“Personal contact and advice is important, as is dealing with the same people who know about our requirements. I was impressed when the bank rang me up on holiday to ask if I wanted to transfer money to stop an account going overdrawn."
- Jan McKay, Director of Operations, University of Chester Church of England Academy, Ellesmere Port
University of York Students’ Union
“We have only been with The Co-operative Bank for a few weeks but already their service level is on a par with our previous bank with whom we had a good relationship. It’s part of our organisation’s mandate to work with ethical organisations, which is why we moved our account. Our financial needs are quite complex and the transfer process complicated but it all went smoothly thanks to Adam Burke. Adam’s very professional and proactive. My job can be hectic so it’s good to know I can rely on the expertise and support from people who understand our requirements - it really does make all the difference.”
- Pauline Barrow, Finance Manager, University of York Students’ Union
The Co-operative Academy of Manchester
“The Co-operative is offering energy, expertise, ethics, honesty and integrity. It’s also their commitment to community involvement. Our aim is not just to have a good school, but also a thriving community centre.”
- Stephen Cooper, Finance Director, The Co-operative Academy of Manchester
St Vincent de Paul Society
“We collect funds to benefit those most in need in England and Wales. These people often do not have access to banking facilities so it is important for us to have a strong relationship with a bank such as The Co-operative Bank, which will support our fund-raising work.”
- David Gill, Director of Finance, St Vincent de Paul Society
Christian Aid
“We have around two hundred thousand volunteers raising money during Christian Aid Week, and thanks to our partners The Co-operative Bank, Payzone and The Post Office® they are now able to quickly and easily deposit their funds. By giving each of our three thousand committees unique bar codes to use when payments are made, we will also be immediately able to reconcile how much money has been raised and from where - a process that in the past has been both time consuming and expensive.”
- Jeremy Wyman, Christian Aid
To find out what we can offer your organisation, call our Charity Team now on 020 7977 2121 or email charities@co-operativebank.co.uk
