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Great Western Credit Union: Savings reviews

Name: Savings
Rating: 4.76 (302 reviews)

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4.64

Based on 302 reviews, last reviewed 4th Jan 2026

425% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

No new 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

85%

11%

2 star

Latest highest rating:

4

Good to use a ethical savings / loans service. Good to use a ethical savings / loans service. Reviewed on: 4th January 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Very complicated and convoluted to set up. Very complicated and convoluted to set up. Reviewed on: 17th November 2025

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About this product

Great Western Credit Union offer savings accounts to customers who live, work or study in Bristol and Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset or Dorset.

Great Western Credit Union savings accounts include the Fixed Rate Saver, Cash ISA, Easy Saver, Business Saver and the Christmas Saver.

Great Western Credit Union reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used Great Western Credit Union before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

Great Western Credit Union Savings reviews (302)

Review of the Great Western Credit Union, Savings:

Clear communications and a user friendly website.

Clear communications and a user friendly website. Withdrawals are easy and the AGM is very readable Reviewed on: 24th May 2024

in-person counter service is no longer available

I was originally a member of Bristol Credit Union which was amalgamated into GWCU. Sadly, since the merger the excellent BCU branch was closed and in-person counter service is no longer available. This has defeated the whole object of having a local, people friendly, community financial service. Such a loss! Reviewed on: 25th May 2024

Reply from Great Western Credit Union Hi Chloe, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear you are disappointed in the closing of our branch in Bristol. We are always looking for new ways to serve a majority, if not all, of our members. At the time of closure, fewer and fewer people were using the branch service, preferring to manage their account online or via telephone. Taking this into consideration, along with the high and rising costs associated with running a branch means that operating this fixed presence at Cheltenham Road was no longer viable. However, consistent updates to the delivery of our service, especially via our digital platform, means members are able to access our services easier and quicker. As always, we understand there will be members that require special assistance and we are more than happy to support them or offer friendly advice on how to access our services. If you’d like to discuss more about these changes, or get some help managing your membership with Great Western Credit Union, please reach out to us and our lovely member services team will be happy to help! Call us at 0117 924 7309 or email us at [email protected]. Response date: 12th June 2024

They always keep you well informed, and provide grea...

They always keep you well informed, and provide great service. I chose to save with them, as you know your money there is helping other people, not feeding the fat cats. Reviewed on: 24th May 2024

Love the new fixed rate saver

I opened a Fixed Rate Saver which had a great interest rate (5%). The online process was really easy and moving money from my bank to the credit union so simple. I now feel like I've made a sensible financial decision but one which helps others in my community. Reviewed on: 19th April 2024

Good interest rate and ethical company

I have opened a cash ISA with them, which gives a good rate of interest, and I was able to easily speak to someone when I needed to. The staff were really friendly and helpful. The website is easy to use to check my balance too. I love that my money will be used to help others locally Reviewed on: 11th April 2024

There for me a a most difficult time

At a difficult time in my life I was introduced to Great Western Credit Union. I put what I could afford into a savings account. My circumstances improved and I decided to keep the funds in the Union as I realised they provided a financial lifeline for people with real long term financial difficulties. The staff I came into contact with in Dorchester and Weymouth were at the time so helpful and kind at a time I was vunerable and not in a good place emotionally and financially. Credit Unions are a life saver for so many people around the country. Thank you Great Western. Reviewed on: 5th April 2024

A very good introductory experience

My experience so far has been very pleasant. Good and timely customer service with a very clear and simple process. Reviewed on: 3rd April 2024

Always responsive and personal.

Always responsive and personal. A great service, like back in the day when everyone knew their bank manager. Reviewed on: 2nd April 2024

Good ethical savings products

Easy to follow website and good products to allow for ethical saving as well as some products that give some return as well. Reviewed on: 2nd April 2024

I have been a member for a very long time and found...

I have been a member for a very long time and found the services provided to have expanded with no loss of help. it's local character is encouraging even when expansion has taken place. Reviewed on: 31st March 2024

Bond holder and saver

I hold a lifelong bond and two eight year bonds . I would like more information from GWCU on saving with an ethical purpose. I also use the savings account to which dividends are paid as an occasional top up to my standard bank accounts while holding a balance as a low dividend but socially useful fund. Reviewed on: 30th March 2024

Reply from Great Western Credit Union Hi David, Thanks for your lovely review. We have recently launched a new savings account, the Fixed Rate Saver, which is a 12-month account offering 5% AER. This is a great account if you are looking to help support our mission in providing ethical, accessible and affordable credit to members across the South West. If this is something you are interested in, please visit our website (https://greatwesterncu.org/savings/fixed-rate-saver/) or email us at [email protected] for more information. - Great Western Credit Union team Response date: 23rd April 2024

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