Charity Bank Reviews 

We set up a Charity Bank savings account to get interest on some large grants that our small charity received. Although the process for managing the account via email is a little unusual, the Charity Bank account was super-easy to set up compared to charity accounts from more conveniental banks which are an absolute nightmare.

Because it's a savings account we don't have a lot of transactions, but the system works really well and has dual signature authorisation to keep our account safe. Requests to transfer funds out of our savings account are processed within hours. Staff are really friendly and helpful and respond to questions quickly. You actually get to deal with real people!

And an attractive rate of interest, which means more money for our charitable work. What's not to like?

I have to say if I had known how difficult it would be to mange my ISA account with charity bank, I probably would have gone elsewhere. It was a real pain to set up, I had to send things in via post - in this day and age that is madness to me! There is no online banking facility. There is a complete lack of information on their website about basic things like how to make a withdrawal (it just says 'write in' - to who? Saying what? Is there a form?!). Also the interest is only applied once a year which I have found has made my overall return lower (in all honesty I don't really understand it but I have another account with the same amount of savings that pays interest monthly and I get more). Bank statements are all paper based which is bad for the environment and then I have to file the bloody things. Idk, if you're an older person who prefers post and phone maybe this is the one for you, but as a younger person used to online banking I really hate it.

I went for this ISA because I want all my savings to be used ethically but I probably will switch once I can muster up the energy to find an alternative ethical provider, simply to get away from their archaic and confusing banking systems. Which is a shame as the work they do with charities is great.

Firstly, Charity Bank doesn't trade in bit com and the other other review here I've reported to trust pilot isn't based on experience with them. I chose this highest scoring ethical bank on the 33 day notice accessible account with enough savings to get the higher interest rate. I did this online, but pleasantly surprised to find they do things differently. It is ESSENTIAL (and always easy) to telephone and discuss the process. You don't have an online visible account (although you do online or cheque transfers) and so they guide you in a friendly telephone call how to set up an initial account and then you must wait until you receive a letter to confirm (I find letters take about 8 days to arrive) with NEW details of how to transfer in to your account. Because you do not have a visible online account, all deposits / withdrawals are confirmed only by letter (8 days to arrive.) Once you get used to this process, relax. But telephone when you join to get it right.