We are all taught as children how important it is to say please and thank you, and it is often a lesson that lasts a lifetime.

But financial services companies, no-one ever thought they would ever need to learn this. Imagine my surprise when I opened my post at home yesterday. Barclaycard were saying how much they appreciated me being with them. And there it was, in it's own paper wallet, a voucher - £10 to spend at House of Fraser with no catches, no strings attached and no small print.

I must admit to being totally taken aback, yet once I got over the shock, quite chuffed. It also made me think about my credit card purchasing habits. I have three cards and use them evenly. And something as simple as a thank-you and a £10 voucher has made me reconsider. This simple gesture has made me review my spending habits.

Why do I believe this lesson is important to our sector - I see a parallel with charities - how many say thank you properly and genuinely. Does yours? As consumers come under more financial pressure and consider where and with whom they spend their money the charities that say thank you and tell donors what has been done with their donations will really benefit, just like Barclaycard.

Mark Roper