Our Advertising Policy

When we are making decisions on where to advertise we aim to balance the needs of the target audience for our campaign as well as reflect the values and ethics the Co-operative Bank shares with our customers. We don’t make these decisions in support of any external campaigns and we don’t comment on the individual editorial policies of the UK media organisations.

We work with our media agencies to ensure that the bank’s online adverts don't appear alongside any inappropriate content, but in some instances where feedback and/or complaints are received in relation to the placement of our advertising, we will suspend our activity and re-evaluate our approach. In limited cases we may also halt our planned activity where there is concern about the negative impact on our organisation when it is associated with another through advertising, most importantly when it could conflict with the values and ethics we share with our customers.

Which publications does the Bank advertise in?

When an advertising campaign is being run by the bank the publications, sites and media outlets will be selected bearing in mind the type of advertising campaign that is being run, the target audience and how it fits with the ethical policy of the bank. We will also consider the views of our customers and feedback they have provided to ensure that our shared values aren’t compromised.

What about Co-operative Group advertising in national newspapers?

The Co-operative Bank ceased to be a wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operative Group in 2013, and as a result of the bank’s recapitalisation undertaken in 2017, are now two entirely separate businesses. The bank is no longer part of The Co-operative Group and therefore the advertising practices of the two organisations are also completely separate.