zaparcade's Review of Smile Current Account
27th Apr 2004
Overall Rating
- Customer Service
- Ease of use
Good interest rates, attractive website, good internet banking interface.
Bad Points
Unco-operative, high bank charges, faceless customer contact.
General Comments
I had been banking with smile for 3 years - mostly because I found their internet banking facility convenient to use. Whilst banking with them they continually increased my credit card limit without my consent until I had a borrowing limit in excess of £12000! They also sent me numerous unsolicited offers in the post for loans which I had apparently already been authorised for - all I had to do was sign on the dotted line and the money was mine. However, a few months later when I applied for a modest loan with them which I did want, they point blank refused. This was at a time when my bank account had been continually in credit during the previous 6 months and I had never ever been outside my agreed borrowing limits with them. I thought there must be a mistake, so I asked them to review my application, but again they refused with no further explanation.
I firmly believe that the reason they refused to give me a loan when I requested one was because at that time I had very nearly paid my credit card balance off, and they simply wanted me to use my credit card instead of taking out a loan (thereby making more money). I have since secured credit for the loan elsewhere with no problem, whereas Smile were completely uncooperative and totally unhelpful. I would never had expected such behaviour from my own bank, whom I felt I had been loyal to and built up a rapport with. My advice is to steer clear!
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On average, people found this review very helpful
Members' Comments onzaparcade's Review
alexandkate
on 5th Aug 2005
| Lender | Account | Description | Interest | AER | Overdraft | ||
| Overdraft Rate | Overdraft Limit | ||||||
 | Premier Direct Account | Earn a great rate of 6% AER (fixed for one year) on balances up to £2,500. | Monthly | 6.00% | 0.00% | £2,000.00 |  |
| Premier Current | Enjoy Free annual multi-trip European travel insurance and earn 0.50% AER on balances up to £2,500. | Monthly | 0.50% | 0.00% | £2,000.00 | |
 | Natwest Advantage Gold Account | Enjoy benefits worth up to £704 for just £12.95 a month. Including Mobile phone cover, Travel Insurance and even tailored rates on other Natwest products. | Monthly | 0.25% | 18.49% | n/a | |
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Totally agree
Smile just don't want to know and are prepared to rip off customers who go overdrawn (doesn't matter how much) even ones with money in smile savings accounts.