Three cash-rate cuts since December last year have helped keep retail customers happy with their banks. Most banks, building societies and credit unions have improved their customer satisfaction scores this year, according Roy Morgan Research.The Big Four banks have gained more than most. In 2011, their average satisfaction rating was nine percentage points below the average rating of the smaller institutions listed in the Roy Morgan survey. Today, that gap has closed to five percentage points.National Australia Bank is the exception; its satisfaction rating declined over the 12 months to October. This may be a consequence of the bank's decision to give up much of its price leadership in the mortgage market.Roy Morgan said another factor that has contributed to improved overall satisfaction was the response to internet banking. Customers are more satisfied with the internet channel than with branch banking, and, as access to banks via the internet increases, satisfaction scores are also increasing.The institution with the highest satisfaction rating in October was Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank, with a score of 97.9 per cent. It was followed by Teachers Mutual Bank, with a score of 92.5 per cent, then ING Direct (89.8 per cent) and ME Bank (89.2 per cent).The latest DBM Consultants' business banking customer survey also shows an increase in satisfaction over the past year. According to DBM, ANZ and Commonwealth Bank have improved their ratings, while National Australia Bank and Westpac have remained steady.