Smile > Reviews

Advantages: easy to apply for, easy to operate, safe, good security, backed by the Co-op
Disadvantages: not much

...you log in to your SMILE Account. In addition you are requested for a four digit pin number (which you decide on) – all of these things are needed before you or anyone else can access your account. So security is excellent. If someone tried to hack into your account, they’d have to know a lot about you – and then some! If the details are entered incorrectly twice in succession, your account is blocked until you make contact with ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to use, customer centered
Disadvantages: Still haven't got a million in there yet

...Current account credit balances on Smile (now 3.04% gross), and that there was a fee free overdraft of £500 attached to each Smile Current Account (handy for those occasional lapses in budgeting), I was very interested. Two other big plus points were that transfers between Smile accounts are instant, and that you can pay money in through your local Post Office. That meant that I could put my wages from my part time job into my partners Smile Savings ... Read review

Advantages: ETHICAL! Good interest rate. £500 overdraft
Disadvantages: Nasty cerise logo that scared my budgie

...calls itself ‘Smile:The Internet bank,’ Smile is an internet bank. Accounts, therefore, can only be managed via the internet or (to a lesser extent) over the phone. You probably already know what an internet bank is, so I won’t bore you with any further details. Instead, I will offer a quick comparison between Smile’s current account and those of some other companies. COMPARISON One of the first eye-catching things about ... Read review

Advantages: More ethical bank, great service
Disadvantages: No branches - telephone and internet access only

Smile is an internet and telephone bank, one that does without the high street branch. But that doesn't prevent it offering great customer service, and a variety of decent products. It's part of the Co-operative Bank, so its customers can make use of Co-op branches if really necessary, however in the 4 or so years I've been a customer of smile, I've only had to use a branch once - everything else I was able to complete online or over the telephone. My ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to use, top rates, 'socially responsible'
Disadvantages: none that I have found

...best deal, it seemed that Smile (run by the CO-OP) offered the best rate of interest for a no strings attached plan. (I have deliberately not stated the interest rate as they change frequently, and by the time you read this, could mislead you.) If you are a tax payer, you are allowed to invest up to £3000 per year (April to April in a cash ISA) - You can increase this to £6000 if you also buy a Stocks & Shares ISA - that's another story... Opening ... Read review

Advantages: Oddles
Disadvantages: Setting up Standing Orders

...easy to transfer money between Smile accounts - the majority of things that you might want to do are available on an easy to use menu e.g. order envelopes, stationery, query transactions - secure email system (self contained within the application) - pretty good turnaround for secure emails - almost always within 24 hours. Compare and contrast with Cahoot (I have one of their 0% credit cards) who have only responded once to some half a dozen emails - ... Read review

Advantages: High interest rates, Full banking services, Free cash withdrawls
Disadvantages: Pink colour scheme

OK. I've been with Smile for nearly a couple of years now. I've had a Student Account (now converted to a normal Current Account), a Savings Account, a Personal Loan and an ISA account with them. In fact, I am so happy with their service and policies, that I finally told my existing bank (the Halifax) where to stick their accounts and moved over. The interest rates are high, and if you're a student, so's the overdraft of 2k as standard in your final ... Read review

Advantages: 24 hr access, good interest, purple
Disadvantages: not instant access, vile cat type thing, purple

...that if you have a smile current account, then you can make instant cash transfers, but if you don't then it takes 4 days for the money to appear in your account. I had assumed that, as smile was owned by co-op, you would be able to get the cash from one of their branches, or at least get a cash card. This is not the case. The site itself is about as good as it gets, simple and informative (and very, very purple!), and the feeling of security is ... Read review

Advantages: Easy, secure, competitive and funky!
Disadvantages: Problems getting bank card

...to pay my landlord. On contacting smile thorugh the easy (and safe) secure email service, I got a same-day reply that they will set up both the above transactions if I send them the details. So the above problems were quickly and efficiently solved. I started receiving all my cards and stuff in bits and pieces. Unfortunately, when they said I will be receiving my checque book in three days, it took five days. My credit card took 10 days (supposed ... Read review

Advantages: A great all round product - and ethical too
Disadvantages: i can't really think of any

...plunge and applied for a Smile current account. Not only did they have a good online presence, and an interest rate comparable to their savings account, they also practice ethical investment, more details on their investment policies can be found on their website at www.smile.co.uk --The application process The application process was harmless enough, filling in various forms with personal data, plus about 5 security questions (birthplace, ... Read review

Advantages: easy to use, secure
Disadvantages: remembering security questions!

Smile is the only on-line bank account I have and I think it's very good. It's the first one I've tried so I was a little wary but the fact that it's part of the Co-op bank swayed me. I opted for the savings account and signing up was quick and easy, no sending off passports or driving licences to prove who you are or visiting the local branch. I just had to wait a few hours while they verified everything then log on to smile. I think it's strange ... Read review

Advantages: great interest rates and customer service, fun website, pink chequebook!
Disadvantages: only accessed on internet, limited range of services at moment

Smile is a new Internet-only bank from the respected Co-operative Bank (famous for their refusal to use funds to contribute towards businesses that are ethically unsound). It is the all-smiling friendly in funky pink bank that at the moment provides currents accounts, credit cards, savings accounts, including a cash ISA, and personal loans. I have been a member of Smile for over 6 months now, and have an awful lot of praise for their efforts. ... Read review