bank of goodwill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bank of goodwill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a reserve or accumulation of goodwill, often in a business or interpersonal context where positive relationships or reputations are built over time. Example: "The company has built a substantial bank of goodwill with its customers through years of excellent service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He was oddly unwilling to draw on the bank of goodwill at his disposal.

The Guardian

Every time police choose transparency, it's a deposit in the bank of goodwill.

The Washington Post

She was not brilliantly funny in the press conference she hijacked, and her kangaroo joke backfired spectacularly, but she has a bank of goodwill that will take some time to exhaust.

The Guardian - Sport

You need to create a bank of goodwill when times are good, so that when a crisis comes, a community of advocates is ready to speak up, reassuring critics and reinforcing your message.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Postecoglou already benefits from a commodity his two predecessors, who had to contend with a fair amount of scepticism at all moments they remained in the job, never captured: a deep bank of public goodwill.

The Guardian - Sport

How much longer can "Homeland" run before the bank of viewer goodwill empties out?

Huffington Post

This seems unlikely: a CV heavy on fantasy and period drama has banked him plenty of goodwill in that department.

Independent

Barclays says that its 93 per cent consumer uphold rate before the Ombudsman "is a result of the fact that we were the first bank to offer gestures of goodwill payments to customers, which meant that we took back a large volume of claims from the [Ombudsman] … and proactively settled in favour of the customers in order to help the [Ombudsman]… clear a backlog".

Independent

However, as a gesture of goodwill, the bank has now agreed to repay you the £100 you lost, while maintaining that it was correct to turn down your claim.

The Guardian - Money

When things get tough for Bailey's building and loan, "the bank's own customers, who individually and collectively have a huge reservoir of goodwill towards their little bank, rush to save it from collapse".

Huffington Post

She begins, of course, with a lot of goodwill in the bank.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bank of goodwill" when referring to the accumulated positive perception a person or entity has earned over time, particularly when suggesting it can be drawn upon in times of need.

Common error

Avoid using "bank of goodwill" to describe a simple act of kindness. The phrase implies a long-term accumulation, not a one-time event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bank of goodwill" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to an accumulated reserve of positive sentiment or reputational credit.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bank of goodwill" is a noun phrase signifying an accumulated reserve of positive regard or reputation, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and usable, its frequency is rare. It is most often found in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news and business discussions where building and leveraging a positive image is crucial. Alternatives like "reservoir of goodwill" or "positive reputation" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember, building a "bank of goodwill" requires consistent positive actions over time; it is not a substitute for a single act of kindness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reservoir of goodwill

Emphasizes the idea of a stored-up supply of positive sentiment or credit.

store of goodwill

Similar to "reservoir", but suggests a more actively managed collection.

accumulation of favor

Focuses on the gradual increase of positive regard received over time.

reputational capital

Highlights the value and potential return on a positive reputation.

positive reputation

A more general term that refers to the favorable standing someone or something has.

good standing

Implies a current state of being well-regarded and trusted.

credit of positive regard

Emphasizes the idea of having earned trust and respect.

fund of positive sentiment

Suggests a pool of positive feelings or beliefs held by others.

capital of trust

Highlights the aspect of trust as a valuable asset.

good name

A more concise way to refer to a positive reputation.

FAQs

What does the phrase "bank of goodwill" mean?

The phrase "bank of goodwill" refers to a reserve or accumulation of positive regard, trust, or favor that a person or organization has built up over time. It suggests this reserve can be drawn upon during difficult times or when needing support.

How can I build a "bank of goodwill"?

Building a "bank of goodwill" involves consistently acting with integrity, providing excellent service, being transparent, and engaging positively with others over an extended period.

What are some alternatives to saying "bank of goodwill"?

You can use alternatives like "reservoir of goodwill", "positive reputation", or "good standing" depending on the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "bank of goodwill"?

The phrase is appropriate when discussing how past actions and behaviors have created a positive perception that can be leveraged, such as during a crisis or when seeking support for a new initiative.