Monmouthshire Building Society, PayItMonthly and Revolut named among July's biggest customer satisfaction risers

12 August 2026

Smart Money People's “Smart Money Risers” index reveals which financial services brands are winning over customers, and why digital convenience, savings value and payment flexibility are driving loyalty

12 August 2026 – Smart Money People, the UK's most comprehensive financial services review site, today publishes its July 2026 “Smart Money Risers” index, revealing that Monmouth Building Society, PayItMonthly, and Revolut are where the “smart money” is at.

Customer reviews to the Smart Money People site in July recognised the three providers as strong performers due to their combination of improved ratings and consistently high levels of customer advocacy.

What are they doing right?

• Making everyday banking simpler through clear, controllable digital tools
• Helping savers choose the right product, not just chasing the best rate
• Offering flexible, transparent payment options that build trust with both retailers and customers

July's Bigger Picture – 3 Key Trends

Smart Money People's analysts identified three key trends shaping the sector in July:

1. Digital tools are helping customers feel more in control

July's feedback shows continued demand for financial services that make everyday money management quicker and more intuitive.

Customers praised features such as instant transfers, spending notifications, budgeting tools, savings pots and easy currency exchange. The strongest digital experiences are not simply moving existing banking functions into an app. They are giving customers clearer visibility and greater control over how they spend, save and transfer money.

2. Savings value is more than just rate

Building societies produced some of July's clearest improvement stories, particularly across savings products. However, customer feedback suggests satisfaction is not driven by interest rates alone.

Customers also valued having an appropriate range of products, clear explanations of different account options and straightforward support when ISAs or fixed term savings matured. Being helped to move money into a more suitable account was repeatedly seen as part of delivering good value.

3. Flexible finance is supporting affordability

July's results also highlight the value of simple and transparent payment flexibility.

Interest-free instalments can make higher value purchases more manageable for consumers, while also helping businesses reach customers and secure sales that may otherwise be lost. Positive feedback focused on quick applications, clear terms, reliable payments and platforms that are easy for both retailers and customers to use.

This suggests flexible finance performs most strongly when it is positioned as a straightforward affordability tool rather than a complicated credit product.

Smart Money Risers Index - Results

The Smart Money Risers 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. It spotlights the banks, lenders, insurers, savings and investment providers, and products, that customers rated most positively in a month of reviews.

July's Top Cross-Market Brand Risers

Monmouthshire Building Society – savings satisfaction climbs as customers value clarity, flexibility and choice

Monmouthshire Building Society emerged as one of July's strongest risers, supported by improving customer satisfaction across its savings proposition.

Customer feedback points to growing appreciation for products that meet different savings needs, alongside clear guidance that helps customers understand their options and select suitable accounts. Its savings rating recorded a particularly strong improvement during the month, rising against both June and its recent three-month performance.

The findings suggest that savers continue to value a combination of competitive products, clear information and accessible support, particularly when reviewing rates, moving between accounts or considering longer-term savings options.

“Visited the branch and changed product for a better interest rate that fitted my needs more closely,” said one Monmouthshire Building Society customer.

PayItMonthly – a perfect score for making affordability work for retailers and customers alike

PayItMonthly emerged as one of July's strongest performers, achieving a perfect customer rating and NPS while helping businesses make products and services more affordable.

Retailers praised the platform for making interest-free payment plans quick and straightforward to offer, while customers benefited from being able to spread costs through clear and manageable instalments.

The findings suggest that flexible finance can deliver value on both sides of a transaction, improving affordability for consumers while helping smaller businesses reach more customers and convert sales that might otherwise be lost.

“PayItMonthly has made a huge difference to us as a small business, enabling more of our clients to afford what they want,” said one retail partner.

“The application process is extremely quick and easy, and payments are prompt and reliable,” added a PayItMonthly customer.

Revolut – breadth and convenience keep digital banking customers coming back

Revolut emerged as one of July's strongest monthly risers, returning to a rating of 4.94 as customers praised the breadth and convenience of its digital banking experience.

Feedback highlighted fast transfers, competitive currency exchange and easy overseas spending, alongside tools that help customers budget, save and manage their money more effectively. Rewards and travel benefits also contributed to the sense of value customers receive from the wider proposition.

The findings suggest consumers increasingly value financial providers that combine everyday banking, international payments and money management tools within one straightforward and personalised digital experience.

“Great modern bank providing what is needed in today's world. The ability to easily and quickly transfer money between different currencies is brilliant,” said one Revolut customer.

July's Product Category Risers

Beyond the cross-market leaders, July's data also highlights standout improvements at product level. PayPal's debit card (up to 4.86), Darlington Building Society's savings account (up to 4.88), The Money Co-op's loans (up to 5.00) and Great Western Credit Union's loans (up to 4.88) all posted some of the strongest gains in their categories.

Peer Jelendorf, CEO of Smart Money People said:

“July's Risers show that customers keep rewarding financial brands that make everyday money management simpler, whether that's clearer savings choices, a more convenient digital banking experience, or flexible finance that's easy to trust. 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.”