Meet Jonathan: A culture champion

Today, we’re diving into the story of Jonathan, a regular Atom customer, who holds a great company culture in high regards when choosing a bank.

Jonathan’s background is quite diverse: after many years as a dedicated teacher and deputy head, including a stint as a safeguarding lead, he decided to take a career break in 2019. Now, he balances part-time teaching with work for a university, and he’s also a big fan of the outdoors, especially living near the Yorkshire Dales.

The journey to Atom

So, how did Jonathan find his way to Atom? It all started with a bit of curiosity and a desire to embrace technology. He remembers registering on a waiting list when Atom was just getting started, drawn by the idea of an app-based bank. “I liked the idea of a bank that was going to be app-based and a challenge to the big banks,” he says. As someone who always tries to stay on top of the latest technology in his teaching career, this resonated with him.

Culture matters most

For Jonathan, choosing a bank isn’t just about rates — it’s about the culture. He explains: “Culture and the company’s values have a big influence regarding whether or not I will want to save or invest with them.” Reviews on platforms like Trustpilot — where Atom is currently the highest rated UK savings provider* — and financial news sites also play a role in his evaluation.

Jonathan appreciates Atom’s “fresh” and “chirpy” tone, “sometimes when you get things through the post you think, well, no one’s going to read all this stuff and it’s written in a very legal sort of language,” he explains. Atom, on the other hand, uses straightforward, everyday language, which he finds refreshing. As a teacher who spends his days making complex topics accessible, this really speaks to him.

A North East connection

Jonathan also appreciates Atom being based in the North East, feeling a connection to the bank, with the region’s values of friendliness, honesty, and hard work resonating with him. “The idea of a startup bank from the North East, challenging the big banks, appealed to me greatly.”

Beyond the great app and competitive rates, the biggest factor in his decision to choose Atom was the idea of banking with someone doing something different. “I liked the idea of challenging the big banks and taking a risk. The concept of building something from scratch, driven by the idea that things could be done differently and better, was very appealing to me” he concluded.

Ready to begin your own financial journey? Head over to our Savings page to discover the account that’s right for you.

*Based on 20,939 reviews, as of 30 July 2026