The Co-operative celebrates two more awards

The Co-operative Bank is celebrating after bagging two more awards, this time at the Card Awards 2009.

The Woodland Trust Credit Card has been named the Best Charity Credit Card, while our Customers Who Care scheme was voted Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme.

These awards are a fantastic achievement for The Co-operative Bank. The Customers Who Care campaign and the Woodland Trust Credit Card demonstrate The Banks' customer-led approach to CSR which celebrates its 17th anniversary in 2009.

Through the Customers Who Care Programme 1.25 per cent of every £100 spent on the Bank's credit and debit cards is put towards campaigning for change on issues of concerns to customers. This Award was given for The Bank's Combating Climate Change campaign, which saw it work with Friends of the Earth to lobby the Government for a stronger Climate Change Bill and helped shape UK Climate law. The campaign saw more than 22,000 customers write a letter or e-mail to their MP asking for more ambitious targets.

The Woodland Trust credit card was launched in March 2007 and has so far defied market trends by opening over 2200 cards to date. The Woodland Trust approached The Co-operative Bank to put together the nomination for the Best Charity Credit Card category for the card awards due to the great pride they have in its success. Its a simple strategy in their minds - for every card opened a tree gets planted from the donation of £15 we make- 2200 trees is a pretty powerful message and keeps the supporter base keen in getting the cards opened.

Martin Fielding, CEO The Card Awards comments: "We were overwhelmed by the number of entries we received this year in the Corporate Responsibility category showing the caring side of the payments market.

The judges liked the synergy between The Co-operative Bank and the Woodland Trust, and the fact that the card is provided by a bank with a strong ethical reputation.

Although there are much larger charity credit card programmes in the market, this card makes a big difference to a relatively small UK charity"

Dick Parkhouse, Managing Director, Retail for The Co-operative Financial Services, said: "These awards clearly demonstrate our continued commitment to our Ethical Policy. CSR is at the heart of our business and we are proud to provide quality products that support real issues our customers feel strongly about."

"The Co-operative Bank's campaign, helped to persuade the Government to adopt a strong piece of climate change legislation. No other bank or credit card provider can work with its customers in this way to achieve this type of change."