Now, more than ever, we know managing your finances has never been more important to our day-to-day lives. And knowing how to manage and budget your money well can help you make a real difference to handling your finances, as well as give you peace of mind knowing how you're spending your money.
On this page you can find help and advice for your money worries, whether that’s with us or an independent organisation, as well as find financial support for your circumstances, or help if you’re struggling making payments with one of our products.
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do; that’s why we’re always happy to listen to you and support you, no matter what money worries you may have.
Whatever your financial circumstances talking to us won’t show up on your credit file, so these conversations will always be kept confidential as we work together to find a way to help you.
If you're worried about bills or struggling to make payments, give us a call and we’ll try and help you work out a budget and offer support based on your individual circumstances.
We're always happy to listen to you, however big or small the problem is. Call us on 03457 212 212 (Call charges apply). Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.
Before you call us, you’ll need:
Find out more about what to expect when you call our support team.
If you’re struggling with debt or have money worries, you can find advice and support.
Find information and guidance to do with:
Here you can find advice and support if you’re an existing customer who has taken out a loan or credit card with us.
We can support you if:
We know a change in circumstances can affect your ability to pay your mortgage; such as health issues, a major life event, or struggling with the increase in your bills.
If you’re an existing customer and have a mortgage with us, speak to us if you’re concerned about paying for your mortgage, no matter what the reason.
If you’re experiencing a major life event, such as:
We know the impact this can have on your life and understand you may require additional support from us during this difficult time. We'll always treat you as an individual, taking the time to understand your circumstances.
If you’re thinking about borrowing money, you need to consider how you’re going to pay it back, as well as the costs involved. To help you understand a bit more about different borrowing options, you can check out our guide on how credit cards work, and our comparison of credit cards and personal loans.
In 2021, the UK started to feel the significant rising costs of inflation on consumer goods; which means households are having to pay higher prices for every day expenses, such as energy bills, fuel, and food.
These rising costs have affected many of us, leaving people with less disposable income, and under more financial strain to stretch their money further.
In the articles below, you can find out what support’s available and other useful resources that might help you if you’re feeling the effects of the rising cost of living.
In this guide, you can find support services and financial schemes that might be able to help you with rising energy bills.
If you’ve found yourself in financial difficulty and have questions about what to do next, this article gives you advice on the best steps to take.
To make saving easier and more enjoyable, we've put together a list of 10 money-saving challenges designed for those who find it tough to save, helping you get financially fit in a fun way.
Learn how this handy budgeting method that can help you manage your money on a monthly basis.
We know there’s often a stigma around debt — but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Life can be unpredictable, and often things can get out of control with your finances before you even realise. In February 2023, our reports shown 51% of our customers had a debt issue of some kind.
Talking about your debt can help you find the right support for your particular circumstances. So if you’re currently experiencing debt and are feeling overwhelmed and need support, we’re here to help.
In this guide, you can learn different ways to manage debt with our top tips, and find advice on how keeping your finances under control.
If you’re dealing with the stress of debt, don’t suffer in silence — it’s good to talk. In this guide you can find out how to get support from us if you’re in debt, as well as other organisations and charities, to find the best support for your needs.
To try and help as many people as possible, Citizens Advice offer a variety of ways you can get in touch with them. So you can speak to them in a way that’s most comfortable for you.
Any conversations you have with Citizens Advice will be confidential and will not affect your credit score.
If you have a product with us here at The Co-operative Bank, you have access to our customer self-referral service to Citizens Advice; ensuring you receive a response from Citizens Advice within 2 business days. Find our self-referral service to Citizens Advice.
If you’re feeling alone, anxious, or overwhelmed by your financial situation, please remember you’re not on your own. The cost of living is affecting everyone, and it’s not uncommon for someone’s financial situation to change because of this.
Below you can find real life case studies of people who were experiencing difficult times, and their journey to finding the right support.
Please note: these stories have been anonymised to keep them confidential.
Samantha:
Samantha spoke to Citizens Advice and:
The Trust Fund application was successful and Samantha was delighted she was no longer in debt. She said she was very grateful for Citizens Advice’s help as she now feels she has a ‘clear slate.’
Andy:
Andy spoke to Citizens Advice and:
Andy’s flat is now properly maintained and much more comfortable.
Rachel:
Rachel spoke to Citizens Advice and:
Rachel’s application for Universal Credit was successful and she got a new cooker through the trust fund, so she does not have to worry about how to feed her family.
MoneyHelper is a free-to-use, government supported advice service that offers a range of easy-to-use tools, calculators, and letter templates, to help you with a variety of financial situations. MoneyHelper’s aim is to provide you with clear money and pension guidance, online or over the phone, so you can move on with life.
Tools you can expect to find on MoneyHelper are:
Please note: the below link will open MoneyHelper’s website in a new tab.
Not found what you're looking for?
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