Smile Internet Banking www.smile.co.uk Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“I want to like them but unfortunately the service is poor”
Written on: 19/05/2013
I switched to Smile on account of their ethical policy and will happily earn less interest on my savings and pay more on my loan for that. What I am not willing to accept is the abysmal quality of their website and iPhone app - for an online bank, it is laughable. It is unchanged since I started banking with them some 8 years ago and resembles a website from the early 90s, offers very few features and makes banking far more of a chore than it should be. It is lacking simple things: if I... (read more)
★★★★★
“Superb customer service for over 10 years”
Written on: 05/05/2013
I read the 1* reviews below with interest as they are the complete opposite of the experience I have had for over 10 years now. I have not one bad word to say about Smile. They are responsive when I have a request and the online service, whilst not the best looking thing in the world, does the job it is there for well. When I get in touch with them via email they generally respond on the same day, their call centre staff have always been extremely helpful (and are UK based for those that... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Iv been conned by smile finance do not use them they...”
Written on: 24/04/2013 by shark70001
Iv been conned by smile finance do not use them they are also the money group money gaga they fleece ur bank account they take there brokers fee with out ur permission then they pass u on to money gaga who take there brokers fee with out u even realising then they pass u over to the money warehouse who r actually smile finance.money warehouse also take a brokers fee with out even realising so u end up being fleeced by 3 diffrent companys.I wish I read the reviews before I signed up im trying... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Really angry and don't know what to do! ”
Written on: 22/04/2013
I was looking for a loan and smile finance came up as one of my options. They took £26.34 off me as a fee but yet no loan offered. I want to cancel all ties with the company does anyone know about how to do this? Plus I'm hoping now they have my details they won't take no more money off me as all I was doing was enquiring about a loan? (read more)
Lol837's Comment
Written on: 27/04/2013
I have just had the same done to myself for the same amount , I cancelled it as soon as i realized that they were asking for a brokerage fee, still they took it. I have to wait for it to appear on my statement to show it has actually gone from my account and then get back on to my bank , debit card dispute dept and they can get it back for me i have been told. This is no less than theft. I will then have to change my debit card so that it is a different number ,just in case this rogue company tries again.
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Bwisetka's Comment
Written on: 27/04/2013
what i did today is sent them a letter asking for a full refund and cancel any agreement with them. I read their terms and conditions just now that you have the right to cancel and receive a full refund and if they don't reply in 8 weeks time, you can complain to the financial ombudsman service. so hopefully i will get the full refund.
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★☆☆☆☆
“ordered cheque books don't arrive - they deny...”
Written on: 16/04/2013
I've banked with Smile for sevaral years and, in the past, found them fine. Last year I opened an additional current account that requires me to used a cheque book quite frequently to manage an income stream. I've been asking for a new book for several weeks now. When requesting a book get an email confirming this will arrive within 7 to 10 days. When phoning to tell them it hasn't arrived am told they'll have to re-order as it's not their fault, it's the printers! As a consequence I'm... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Arrogant, Obstructive & Poor Online Facilities”
Written on: 10/04/2013 by Happy_Harry (1 review written)
Smile used to be great but they have turned into a bunch of money grabbing arrogant bankers, even contravening their own code of conduct. I wrote a lengthy letter covering a series of complaints to absolutely no avail, but what did I expect. You can’t keep an accurate track of your balance because there is no account balance column on their on-scree statement of recent (up to a month) items so you have to wait a month to see this. They claim the account information is up to date when... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“What's Happened?”
Written on: 08/04/2013
I never write reviews but Smile have annoyed me so much that a few words are needed. I have banked with Smile since March 2000 and have always found them excellent. They service has now changed and is very poor. You used to be able to speak to a person after a few rings now they have gone with the irritating 'press 5 for this' nonsense and I am having more problems with declined transactions and card problems where before this never happened. I suspect trying to cut costs will lose them... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“No reason to smile?”
Written on: 26/03/2013 by ThetTAT
After banking with smile for nearly two years with an interest free over draft on a student account, which would remain interest free for a year after graduating!!! I was a pretty happy customer!! Until discovering that somebody had inputted the dates of my graduation incorrectly and being told that unfortunately as my account had already been converted to a standard account they cannot convert it back. After speaking to numerous people on the phone with little help or guidance I decided to... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“rip off. should be locked up with the criminals”
Written on: 21/03/2013
smile finance........ what can i say i inquired about a loan and have now had money leave my account without permission despite not getting a loan, i looked for help and got ripped off even more, these people should be stopped, when you try and complain there's isnt a phone number to call anyone you have to write a message and wait for them to contact you which never happens!!!! DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE THERE CRIMINALS!!!!! (read more)
Markb2228's Comment
Written on: 25/03/2013
This also happend to me I phoned bank and they got it straight back for me as it was unauthorised by me and caused me to get bank charges they also refunded the charges
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Gpbrown81's Comment
Written on: 03/04/2013
I would advise people to read the terms and conditions before applying to this company, you may be eligible for a refund.
5.Fees
We charge a fee up to £26.34 for providing the service of acting as a finance broker. By proceeding with your application you are agreeing to pay our processing fee. We specify the fee as part of our communications with You. Refunds must be requested in writing at customerservices@SmileFinance.co.uk to avoid repayments being sent to a wrong address. In the event that your card is declined, we will attempt to take payment on that same card as many times as we desire for up to and including 62 days after you made your application. If you wish us to stop trying your card please inform us by post or email.
6. Cancellation
Under the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004 you have a right to cancel your application within 14 days of receiving these terms and conditions and receive a refund. If You wish to cancel your application, You must write to us. In this event We will refund your fee within 7 days of the date on which We receive your written request to cancel your application. Any such requests should be made to: SmileFinance, Metropolitan House Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Cheshire, United Kingdom SK8 7AZ.
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★☆☆☆☆
“After 14 years I've switched”
Written on: 15/03/2013
I used to rave about Smile to all of my frineds - no more. Whereas before you could actually talk to the bank you're now presented with five options - none of which will see you talk to a human being. I ended up switching to First Direct - after two rings my call is answered by a human being. (read more)
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Showing 1 - 10 of 147 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“The Worst Untrusthy Bank”
Written on: 13/03/2013 by SiokYee (1 review written)
I'm a customer who should receive money from the buyer who's using this bank transfer. At first, they told me that they can't transfer the money due to the amount is less than 1500MYR, so they want me to top up and promise once I top up, I can get back the whole amount including the bank charges within an hour. Several hours later after I made the top up, they told me that the transfer department made an error by inputting an excess amount into it. Now they want me to bank in the extra in... (read more)
Yourssignature's Response to SiokYee's Review
Written on: 09/05/2013
hi, im currently facing a same situation as what you wrote. can you please assist me? im feeling a cheat from them, how was the end? do u got your payment? hope to hear from you. here my email: yrsignature@gmail.com .
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★☆☆☆☆
“Cannot print statements.......”
Written on: 08/01/2013
Been with Smile for 8 and found recently standards have dropped. I have been unable to print statements from my current account that go back over 6 months. This is very poor if you need them for tax reasons like I do. Talking with one of their guys on the phone he says the can send me my statements by post but its £10 per page and I need 11 pages. I HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO BE TOTALLY RIPPED OFF!!! He also mentioned its stupid because Smile keep records for 6 years... CRAZY CRAZY should call... (read more)
Nissanrider's Comment
Written on: 08/05/2013
I got ripped off the same way, even wrote a letter explaining it was essential to be able to get to the tax year records but to no avail, very poor, SMILE ! what a joke
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★☆☆☆☆
“Service has slipped”
Written on: 21/12/2012
Been with Smile for years and always been extremely satisfied. Just tried to talk to a human being concerning a problem BUT all telephone numbers lead to the same 5 options which don't cover my problem. I have now had to send a secure message but am not hopeful that I will get a response in time. Where have all the helpful telephone staff gone to? Will seriously have to consider whether/not I wish to remain with Smile. (read more)
Ewanfd's Comment
Written on: 25/01/2013
I completely agree. The last two times I've had to call them it took ages to find the option to talk to human being (you've got to wait for all the options to finish then wait for load of other pointless information and then right at the end they give the option. Once I found the option, I was then waiting about 8 mins on a 0844 number before someone answered. The person was very helpful but I'm considering moving. Also just heard today the Co-Op bank is closing a lot of branches, so it sounds like they are cutting back throughout their organisation.
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★☆☆☆☆
“Service level plummetting”
Written on: 26/10/2012 by lydo (1 review written)
Summary: some good points, but far more bad points and service level plummetting. Bad points: costly 0844 and 0845 phone numbers; poor website (hard or impossible to navigate); cards always blocked for use overseas unless you tell them when and where you're going; very slow or no response to online messages; appalling interest rates; unexplained failures in card processing; hardly any high street branches; they phone you and ask for your credentials; you have to photograph or screen-dump... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Robotic nonsense”
Written on: 12/10/2012
I have banked with smile for many years. I like the idea of a socially responsible bank and a co-operative approach. Until recently i have been impressed by their customer service. But now i find everything has changed. They have two numbers on their dishonestly titled "talk to us" page. Both ask you to put in your account details and lead to a 5 choice option. Well what if you dont want one of these choices, well tough because no human being is available to talk to you. There is no... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“No longer smiling...”
Written on: 06/10/2012
I've banked with Smile since it was first launched, and before that for several years with its parent, the Co-operative Bank. I'm a strong supporter of the underlying values and ethos of the co-op movement, and until recently, had always been impressed by the friendly, helpful and flexible service that Smile provided. But over the past six-nine months, something appears to have changed. That personal approach seems increasingly to have been replaced by a more mechanical, alogorithmic... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“very poor service”
Written on: 04/10/2012 by Poundnote
My wife and I have been Smile customers right from the start of this internet bank. All we can say now is WHATEVER has happened to the old excellent service, helpful Smile Banking and personal appproach? This year for the first time we have had a small problem sorting out a direct credit transaction. Despite three letters (two were recorded delivery) several totally unsatisfactory telephone calls and messages we have had absolutely NO response. No apology, no explanation - nothing. Then,... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“It used to be great but not any more”
Written on: 30/09/2012 by barryu (1 review written)
Smile was brilliant, you could do everything online. Then two years ago they gave us all those pesky "card reader" security devices, which were a pain, but I eventually got used to it. Then 3 months ago they just stopped working. I've not been able to make changes to standing orders or make bank transfers ever since. And every time the card reader fails they reset all my security - lots of telephone calls etc. Eventually they gave me a new card reader. This doesn't work either. If I... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Turning into NatWest?”
Written on: 25/09/2012
25th Sept 2012 - I am unable to access internet banking. Been trying for the last hour. No automessage on the phone to acknowledge the problem. (read more)
★★★★★
“Simple, Honest banking.”
Written on: 18/09/2012 by jonick (2 reviews written)
I've been with Smile for over five years now, after switching from First Direct. I don't need anything too complicated in the way of banking services, just a place to have my salary paid into, and the ability to pay direct debits/standing orders. Of course I also need a debit card that is universally accepted and facilities for a credit card. Smile fills all these requirements. I have never had any communication problems with them, they have never missed any direct debit or standing order... (read more)
Nissanrider's Response to jonick's Review
Written on: 08/05/2013
Sorry no longer honest, I was sold SMILE many years ago on the basic premise that the coop group .have only one interest rate for each type of savings account available, I would not have to worry about temporary bonuses or new higher paying savings accounts, in other words they were ethical in all dealings with their customers and all this would be available online from the comfort of my armchair !
As I understand it Smile was not part of the Bank fiasco so why are their savings rates so appalling, they have fallen to almost nothing !
It was suggested that I go to a coop branch for advice, defeating the main reason for this account.
Well what do you know if I transfer my ISA to BRITTANIA a coop subsidiary I can get a much better rate but they don't do online, ohh they do do online but not ISAs!
I am now in chaos, accounts all over the coop empire exactly what I did not want in my old age.
WAS 5 STAR NOW 1 !
I wonder if NATIONWIDE are any better
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Showing 11 - 20 of 147 Reviews
★★★★★
“This bank leaves me smiling”
Written on: 13/09/2012 by jarnartharn (37 reviews written)
I have been with numerous banks before joining Smile and my banking experience up to this point was unpleasant and left me with a very negative opinion of all banks in general. Since joining smile.co.uk which is part of the co-operative I have discovered that not all banks are money-grabbing and some are in fact quite fair to their customers. CURRENT ACCOUNT: I have opted for the smilemore account which costs me £13 per month. For my money I get breakdown assistance, family holiday... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“Don't expect any acknowledgement for your custom or...”
Written on: 06/08/2012 by shallxr2 (1 review written)
My wife and I have been customers for over ELEVEN years... so you could be forgiven for taking that fact as a recommendation. However, recently the bank made a number of mistakes in connection with our account. To inflame this, no hint of an apology was received in respect of any of those mistakes. The final straw came when they warned that our credit card was going to be withdrawn owing to a period of non-use. I replied stating that we would resume using the card (which we did!) and they,... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Outrageous Statement Charges ”
Written on: 23/07/2012 by nedwards9820 (1 review written)
With Smile you pay for downloading statement more than 12 months old. So if HMRC wants to see your statements for the last seven years, be prepared to pay Smile £600. -ne (read more)
Jonick's Response to nedwards9820's Review
Written on: 18/09/2012
Simples.... download them before they get to twelve months old, and keep a local copy, don't blame the bank for your bad house keeping, it's never cost me a penny
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Nissanrider's reply to Jonick's Comment
Written on: 08/05/2013
That's ok when you know, but should be available on line for at least the current tax year otherwise no point in online account.
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Mkm73's Response to nedwards9820's Review
Written on: 08/10/2012
@Jonick; You've got to be kidding. It's 2012, why should we have to keep a local copy of anything?
They're marketing themselves as the internet bank. If this is the case, they should be visionaries in the field and promoting working practices like cloud storage, etc. not making up charges for what should be standard in this business!
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Mark242's Response to nedwards9820's Review
Written on: 08/01/2013
SMILE are bad for this very reason I have just closed one account and in a months time I will close my last account.
Been with Smile for 8 and a half years.
Santander much better..
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★☆☆☆☆
“Smile failure to keep statements online”
Written on: 22/07/2012
With Smile you pay for statement more than 12 months old. So if HMRC wants to see your statements for the last seven years, be prepared to pay Smile £600. It is simply a terrifying thought that Smile will have more customers -- they can't serve the ones they have and in my case have had for the last 20 years. -ne (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“smile service has become much worse”
Written on: 14/07/2012
We've been banking with smile for years, and initially the service was exceptionally good, but in past two years it has become exceptionally bad. Replacement cards take forever; they lowered our overdraft from an agreed £1000 to £280 despite smilemore allowing for £500; after paying down a considerable amount, they changed our credit card limit without notifying us first and now closing our visa account with no explanation despite always paying on time and never missing a payment, and only a... (read more)
Gillg57's Comment
Written on: 29/08/2012
I had a similar experience in partially reducing the balance on my credit card. Smile immediately reduced the credit limit so it was only £100 over the new lower credit limit. This would mean that I could quickly bre in a position of the minimum payment being insufficient to keep my account under the credit limit. I too had never missed a payment. After several discussions with customer services and a request for details of progressing the matter to the financial ombudsmen they decided to reinstate the original credit limit. Their approach has ensured I now pay money off my other cards when I have spare cash instead of the smile card.
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Bejam's Comment
Written on: 02/09/2012
I agree. I've been banking with them since 1999. I'm not loyal for the sake of it and they've earned my loyalty for years. But I'm now removing all of my accounts from them. Smile just got nasty over the past year in so many ways. I suspect it comes from the top - somebody said, "Right. no more Mr nice guy..."
Ethical only in a box-ticking kind of way.
I'm going to Barclays - at least they don't pretend to be ethical. They're quite open about shafting people.
Ben.
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★☆☆☆☆
“Punitive charges, poor service”
Written on: 13/07/2012 by paprichaat (1 review written)
A had recently exceeded my agreed o/draft by £130 recently. They were still happy to accept the debits from my account and then of course they stung me for over £120.00 charges for the 5 days whilst the account was overdrawn. In their defence, when I complained, they said they sent me a secure message to alert me, but it took me 2 weeks to get round to opening it, as I did not think it was related to being overdrawn (it never says). But there was absolutely no compromise from their money... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“No better than the rest now”
Written on: 02/07/2012 by catswin (2 reviews written)
I have been with SMILE for 8 years. Both my husband and I having separate accounts, and both of us have 2 current accounts each as we are both self employed. This arrangement has worked well and we have been happy with them until this year. I overlooked checking the accounts one week and allowed one account to go beyond it's O/D limit - this was caused by a standing order to the other SMILE account in the same name, so in theory the money never left the bank. Looking at the 2 accounts... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Was great a long time ago but they've lost the plot. ...”
Written on: 05/06/2012
I joined Smile when they were at the top of their game in 2005. At that time they were innovative, go ahead and a vibrant brand. Their product range was very good, and they offered something different 'all under one roof'. From current accounts, savings, mortgages and share dealing I felt that I didn't need any other provider. The ethical stance of the Co-Operative also addded a feel good factor to the bank. Unfortuntaely, Smile have gradually fallen behind their competitors. They... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Not smiling anymore :-(”
Written on: 17/05/2012
I have banked with Smile since 2003. They were good back then,new, innovative and smart thinking. Something seemed to change around 2008. Their customer service started to lack badly and now it's a disaster. Their staff are clurless, you repeat everything to every "advisor" you speak with and no notes are taken. They have taken away my overdraft sighting a credit report NOT the fact I have banked with them for nine years which is very poor service indeed. Seeing as they are my bank, they... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Outdated online banking system”
Written on: 10/05/2012
I've banked with them for a while and the online customer service is pretty poor. They lose messages, take ages to respond and fail to action requests correctly. Their online banking system has never been updated and is really outdated. When you send them a message you can't even see if its been sent or read. Overall a very poor bank (read more)
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Showing 21 - 30 of 147 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Sent my wife 25 paying in books only need 1 and a...”
Written on: 28/04/2012
My wife needed a new paying in book and asked for one. She asked for a new cheque book at the same time because she had mislaid hers. Nothing at all came. She rang up two more times to ask for a paying in book. To date 24 paying in books have arrived. 7 over the period of a few weeks then 17 in one go this morning. SMILE BANK are wasting money, and causing frustration. Aptly named because the only thing you can do is smile at the gross incompetence of their staff or computer system. (read more)
★★★★★
“great online bank so far...”
Written on: 12/04/2012
I m suprised to hear all these negatives comments.I have been with smile for 5 years,they granted me a loan in 2 weeks when i needed it,extended my overdraft twice,offers great support.one day,my bank card was decline for fraud issue suspicion,i rang them,and in 20 minutes,i could take cash from the Atm.you can ring them at any time,including at weekends.The waiting time is no more than 4min(according to my experience).I had one issue with them when i bought a car and paid 3 transactions... (read more)
Lol837's Comment
Written on: 27/04/2013
nice to see at least a couple of people have had a positive experience with this bank. I only enquired about a loan and they took money from my account after i cancelled because of extortionate broker fees.Also could you advise which number to call during the weekend, because there is no contact available except Monday to friday it now states. thank you
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★☆☆☆☆
“Smile are just as bad as the rest”
Written on: 17/03/2012
Smile promote about how great they are, their ethical stance, etc, but they take charges and are slow to respond. In fact I used to bank with Lloyds TSB before I moved to Smile ten years ago. Lloyds were always more supportive if I need a little extra money at the end of the month, whereas Smile often say no, despite knowing I am about to be paid. The bank has caused me stress when other's bank wouldn't. Needless to say I am now moving from Smile and if you are looking for an ethical bank, I... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“switching to smile is painful”
Written on: 09/03/2012
i wish i'd read the other reviews here about the smile internet account before switching over last month. had been meaning to "go ethical" for ages, but have been really disappointed. the last time i switched banks, to alliance and leicester, it was pretty painless. this time, there have been standing orders still being paid out of my old account, and other payments, including my rent, not happening at all! worst of all, to attempt to sort any of it out, i have to deal with the... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“No good anymore.”
Written on: 28/02/2012
I have been with Smile for nearly 10 years. At the beginning they were ahead of the curve. Now they are behind it. - Staff take far too long to respond to messages using their system. For an Internet bank this is not acceptable. Sometimes it takes DAYS to receive a response. And then you have to ask follow up questions/clarify and then have to wait DAYS again to get further response. - I recently had to order a paper copy of my statements - 5-10 working days they said it will take! And... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Smile - should be you wont smile after using us!”
Written on: 28/01/2012 by cre1010
Fairly happy to begin with. Realised that the available funds and actual funds on my statements was always the same, it never took into account pending payments. This gives the impression that you have more funds than you think. I contacted the bank about this to be told it was down to me to know what was in my account. I thought the available funds was a standard feature with banks. My debit card expires at the end of this month (it is now the 28th). I called the bank 2 weeks ago to see... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Biggest waste of my time. NEVER recommend this”
Written on: 13/01/2012 by sushisushisoo
Absolutely appalling. Having wasted 3 months of my life and abnout 3 hours on the phone. I applied astatrting in Oct. I just now (jan) cancelled my application which had STILL not resulted in an account DESPITE being told I had been approved. A volley of emials kepty telling me i had been approved and the information would shortly be sent. there wa a small hiccup wiht my address, which THEIR system would not recognise, but after myraid phone clls, being on hold for probably about an... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Great current account!”
Written on: 22/12/2011 by turfgb (1 review written)
I've been a bit surprised by the negative reviews on here but I guess people tend to come on here when they've had a problem rather than to praise!! It's worth pointing out that smile/co-op bank are highly rated in surveys for bank customer service. I've had a current account with them for 8 years now. I can't really find any complaints at all but I've marked the review down by one star as recently secure messages are not picked as quickly as theaiy used to be. They used to be answered... (read more)
Guest's Response to turfgb's Review
Written on: 01/06/2012
I totally agree with your comments! I have been with Smile for 14 years and they are superb
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★★☆☆☆
“Replacement debit card”
Written on: 30/11/2011
This is the second time this has happened. Back in 2009 when my debit card expired it took 3-4 attempts to get a replacement - One of which was to have a card sent to the local Co-operative bank branch for me to collect in person - that didn't arrive there either. My card expired recently and I am now having to go through the same process again, even though I have been in contact with them before the card expired to avoid a repeat of last time. Staff are: Slow to respond to secure... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Gradual decline in customer service”
Written on: 29/11/2011
I have been a Smile customer for over 10 years. For the first 8 years it was a delight, though i have noticed a gradual decline in service over the last couple of years. Managing my account on line was easy, I never had to go into a branch or call anyone. It was a breeze. Although the service was on line, it did feel 'personal'. However recently I have noticed that secure messages don't get answered as quickly as they used to, which can be a real problem if you want something done. So... (read more)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 147 Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“Very poor”
Written on: 03/11/2011 by dereksmith47 (1 review written)
it takes me more than 5 minutes to get through every time. Each time you phone you have to put in all of your account details. The initial menu doesnt allow you to speak to an operator so you have to wait for all of the options to run through and then do nothing to get connected. staff though very good when you do manage to get through. First Direct is much better (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Terrible......”
Written on: 08/09/2011 by mark242 (2 reviews written)
Been with Smile now since it opened which must be a good 10years? Sadly over the last 2years problems have started to show. Recently it took me 4 weeks to receive a replacement card leaving me with no money over a long bank holiday weekend. Staff have also been rude to me on the phone. Recently I needed some old bank statements sending which I cannot download. I understood there would be a charge which I thought not a problem as I'm sure it would be reasonable I then found out the want £80... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Good at getting the basics right.”
Written on: 07/09/2011
Been with smile.co.uk for many, many years. Had a current account with them more or less from the start and have stayed partly through laziness but mostly because I've felt no need to look elsewhere. That said their savings account rates are complete and utter crep but savings aren't what I use them for. I always shop around for savings account / ISA rates. The main gripe with using their online banking is the login time out feature. It's a good idea on paper but in practice it can be... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Good overall, but seriously deficient in int'l wires”
Written on: 31/08/2011
I had no complaints with my Smile current account for a long time. Good service, accurate, reliable. So I was delighted when they told me they could receive an international wire transfer. Great -- I got the info, went to my US bank which required a 'US corresponding bank'. First call to Smile, Rep 1 had never heard of a US corresponding bank. Second call, Rep 2 gave me the info. Third call to re-confirm info, Rep 3 had never heard of it. I tried to do the wire as instructed by Rep 2, and it... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“wont do what you ask and then try threats”
Written on: 29/08/2011
After a few years I cancelled my current account last year around April- well I told them thats what I wanted. The service was non-esistent the website hopeless (you'd have to be speedy gonzales to do anything online before it logged you out) and loads of junk gimmicks that no-one needs. Apparently they didnt cancel the account and the other day I got a phone call saying I was overdrawn (I love the way banks will phone you and ask you to confirm who you are!!! then leave you on hold a good... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“24 hour international banking”
Written on: 02/08/2011
I live in Thailand. Every year I need to do at least one or two international transfers. I do that using SWIFT transfer. Cooperative Bank claim that this is their fastest way to transfer. Every year I complain to say how long they take. This year it's taken 7 working days, to date. Their complaints dep't is c**p and I wouldn't pay them in washers. In the last 5+ years they've compensated me at least 4 times and I've reported them to the Financial Ombudsman twice. Smile Banking also claim 24... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Worst Bank Ever!”
Written on: 18/06/2011 by neilw909 (1 review written)
The faceless mess that is Smile.co.uk. I banked with them for over 7 years... I chose them because I wanted a bank with good online facilities... at the time they were ok, but as the internet has grown, smile have not, their site is now so dated and unfriendly it's pathetic. But that is not the reason for the bad review... When I got divorced I they punished me, as if divorce isn't punishment enough, Smile withdrew my credit card without reason, they withdrew my overdraft, again without... (read more)
★★★★★
“The things that makes Smile great are: Their ethical...”
Written on: 08/05/2011
The things that makes Smile great are: Their ethical investment stance, and their very pleasant and genuine persona. They are a pleasure to speak to on the phone (24/7), they are communicative, and it feels like a far more personal experience than my previous bank (RBS). I highly recommend Smile. I have yet to come across anything I dislike about them. (read more)
Guest's Comment
Written on: 02/08/2011
Obviously written by someone employed by Cooperative bank. There is no way this review to be a true perspective on Smile banking.
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 02/08/2011
"The things that makes Smile great are: Their ethical investment stance". Why does it deal with the USA ? A country that admits to using torture to gain information from SUSPECTED terrorists. Too bad if it proves later that they are innocent !!
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★★☆☆☆
“Having used this as my sole bank for the last 7 years...”
Written on: 21/04/2011 by yorkrose26 (2 reviews written)
Having used this as my sole bank for the last 7 years or so I have always thought they were an ok bank (a few glitches but nothing major), that is until there was fraud on my account. The time I spent on the phone trying to sort it out was insane, I was promised call-backs and this never happened. I could understand if this was just for opening a ISA or something but this was fraud activity. First call even the person I spoke to said she would sort everything out (stop my card etc), she... (read more)
★★★★★
“Been with Smile for around four years and they have...”
Written on: 02/04/2011 by Wheelybin (1 review written)
Been with Smile for around four years and they have been most unbank like in my dealings with them. Their service has always been efficient, effective, friendly and above all helpful! Things naturally go wrong in life from time to time, like incoming cheques bouncing and forgotten direct debits suddenly emptying my account, but Smile have always gone out of their way to help me through and around problems without screwing me at every opportunity. The travel insurance and breakdown benefits... (read more)
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Lol837's Response to shark70001's Review
Written on: 27/04/2013
It is unbelievable that these companies are allowed by law to do this, there doesn t seem to be any rules for them to follow. You are told to only trust a site with a padlock in the corner and if you do this they pass all of your details to rogue elements of the company who basically just rely on fleecing people who are vulnerable or destitute even. The Government should be clamping down on these people and not letting them advertise on tv either. They probably work like insurance brokers where they get a back hander from the loan company they have put the business to upon completion of a loan. It is disgusting. Good luck with the refund. But really your local Mp Should be made aware of this and the FSA. They surely must have broken some law.