Bank customer satisfaction improves

However, customer satisfaction has flat-lined over the past six months according to the latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) from The Institute of Customer Service. It calculated an overall customer satisfaction score of 76.2 (out of 100 ) for UK organisations across 13 different sectors, an increase of only 0.2 since January, and a lower score than at any time between January 2011 and July 2014.

Among its other findings were that satisfaction levels vary by age, with those aged 25- to 34-years-old the least content with the service they receive. 

Companies performing well include first direct which tops the index for the first time, overtaking Amazon and John Lewis as the UK’s number one for customer service. The Utilities sector has delivered the biggest improvement (up 2 points since July 2014 ), while the Banks and Building Societies sector is successfully rebuilding its reputation – climbing into the top 4 for the first time since January 2009, and the only sector from the top six to improve.

Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of Customer Service, said: “Customer satisfaction may have stabilised for the first time in two years, but there is still more to do. The index uncovers a number of consistently high performing organisations, but with increasing customer expectations and competition there is no room for complacency. The results show a polarisation of performance, with some organisations succeeding through a sustained focus on service while others struggle to adapt and compete.”

UKCSI took 39,000 responses from more than 10,000 people to calculate the scores.