M&S Bank, American Express and Homeprotect named among June's biggest customer satisfaction risers
Smart Money People's newly launched "Smart Money Risers" index reveals which financial services brands are winning over customers, and why simplicity, speed and service are driving loyalty
Smart Money People, the UK's most comprehensive financial services review site, today publishes its June 2026 "Smart Money Risers" index, spotlighting the banks, lenders, insurers, savings and investment providers that customers rated most positively in June.
The index (details in Notes to Editors) tracks month-on-month and quarter-by-quarter movement in customer review ratings across the consumer personal finance sector, identifying which providers are improving fastest and why.
June’s strongest performers were largely driven by improvements in customer experience fundamentals. The brands winning customer trust are:
- Speeding up service
- Combining digital convenience with real human support
- Making their product or service easy to apply for and simple to use
A notable trend in June is the continued strength of specialist lenders and niche providers, alongside signs of improvement from established banking brands. This suggests consumers are increasingly rewarding providers that deliver simpler, faster and more transparent customer experiences.
This month marks the launch of Smart Money Risers, a new monthly index from Smart Money People that will track and celebrate improving customer sentiment across the consumer personal finance sector each month, alongside the trends driving it.
June's Top Cross-Market Provider Risers
| Provider | Sector | June Rating | Change vs. last 3 months |
| M&S Bank | Banking | 4.17 | 0.48 |
| American Express | Consumer Credit | 4.31 | 0.19 |
| Homeprotect | General Insurance | 4.82 | 0.18 |
Leader of the pack - M&S Bank is where the “Smart Money” is at
M&S Bank recorded one of the sharpest rating improvements in this month's index, rising to 4.17 out of 5 and entering the Risers report as a notable new entrant. Customers praised responsive support, strong product value and benefits, and a positive app experience backed up by the option to speak to a real person when needed, a combination reviewers say sets the brand apart. The strength of customer loyalty also stands out with several long-standing customers describing M&S Bank as reliable and customer focused.
"Brilliant company. They really value their customers, and the service is always helpful and reliable," said one M&S Bank customer.
American Express - a winning combination of excellent product value and premium customer experience
American Express also featured prominently, with a rating of 4.31 driven by strong feedback on its rewards and cashback proposition, premium card perks, loyalty benefits and points scheme. Customers consistently praise the excellent customer service and easy and reliable digital experience. One standout theme is long-standing customer loyalty, with some relationships spanning more than a decade. Its credit card offering was also the standout riser in its product category, up 0.46 versus the previous quarter.
"Just a great product. Good cashback, great offers, and the app is easy to use," said one American Express cardholder.
Homeprotect - stands out on fair and competitive renewal pricing
In general insurance, Homeprotect climbed to 4.82, with customers repeatedly highlighting competitive renewal pricing at a time when many expect premiums to rise sharply year-on-year, alongside straightforward renewal procedures, ease of managing policies, helpful support teams, and flexible cover for specialist needs such as landlord insurance.
One customer summed it up simply: "The renewal process was straightforward, the price was competitive, and the service was excellent."
June's Product Category Risers
| Provider | Product | June Rating | May Rating | Change vs. previous month |
| Monzo | Current Account | 4.71 | 4.43 | 0.28 |
| Family Building Society | Savings Account | 4.82 | 4.5 | 0.32 |
| Your Community Bank | Personal Loan | 4.94 | 4.72 | 0.22 |
| American Express | Credit Card | 4.46 | — | +0.46 vs. last 3 months |
Beyond the cross-market leaders, June's data also highlights standout improvements at product level. Monzo's current account (up to 4.71), Family Building Society's savings account (up to 4.82), and Your Community Bank's personal loan (up to 4.94) all posted some of the strongest gains in their categories.
June’s Bigger Picture – 3 Key Trends
Smart Money People's analysts identified three key trends shaping the sector in June:
- Specialist lenders continue to outperform, reflecting sustained consumer demand for fast, frictionless borrowing.
- Established banking brands are showing signs of improvement, with several posting boosted customer ratings, suggesting progress in service and digital experience.
- Product experience is trumping brand reputation, with the strongest performers improving specific customer touchpoints, such as application journeys, speed of service, and digital usability, rather than resting on legacy trust.
"June's Risers show that customers are rewarding financial brands that make life simpler, whether that's a fairer renewal price, a faster loan decision, or just being able to speak to someone when it matters," said Peer Jelendorf, CEO of Smart Money People. "That's exactly why we built this index – to shine a light on the companies genuinely improving their customer experience and to show the industry where the Smart Money's at."
Published: 09 July 2026
