Smile bank account

denwyn

I've been with Smile Banking for almost 15 years now, but am considering leaving,reason being the Co Op problems and the customer service, latter was the difficulty in getting my account unlocked after stupid problem with the card reader they supply.It took 2Omin wait on phone at 9pma min. I have looked many times at moving but always been put off with switching process. I'm not really interested in the money offers to switch banks, just want reliable one which is easy to contact. Or should I just wait to see what or who takeover the Co.Op first. Wiil be restricted on what banks I can move to being retired with just a £1025 a month pensions income, savings are also with Smile.

grumbler

denwyn wrote: »

I have looked many times at moving but always been put off with switching process.

Why?

I'm not really interested in the money offers to switch banks

Why? I've recently switched my derelict Smile account for £125 (plus other incentives).

just want reliable one which is easy to contact.

Nothing stops you from having several accounts and it's recommended to have at least two with different banks.

Or should I just wait to see what or who takeover the Co.Op first.

Up to you.

Wiil be restricted on what banks I can move to being retired with just a £1025 a month pensions income,

It's a decent income.

savings are also with Smile.

I don't remember them paying any interest worth even considering.

xylophone

You might look at transfer in to Tesco if you have at least 3 DDs.

Or TSB might suit.

datlex

Until recently I had two smile accounts. I switched both of them to different banks. One I moved due to the switching bonus. The other I moved due to a decline in customer service at Smile and issues with their systems. They could not answer why they could see an in coming external payment but apparently could not see a internal standing order. Attitude was appalling.

20aday

The switching process is very much painless and completes within seven days-there are bound to be some users who encounter problems but I've not seen that many reports where customers have.

Personally I think we're still some time away from seeing who may/may not acquire Co-Op Bank. Even then there'd still be a transitional period before any takeover is complete.

Chapuys

I've just used the switching service to move from Smile to First Direct. It seemed to go smoothly and I've even tested sending money to my old Smile account and it instantly credits my First Direct account instead. I'm just awaiting all the Direct Debits to transfer fully.

Smile was an internet bank but I don't consider it one now except it uses the internet to access the account. It was once the leading internet bank, but that really now goes to First Direct - even though that is mainly a telephone bank with a mediocre website. It has great customer service and a regular savings account with a decent rate. Since the turn of the decade, and more since the Cooperative Bank's woes set in, it has slowly turned into a boring branded Cooperative bank account. The great customer service has slowly diminished, the great interest rates have disappeared. The student account withdrawn. The redesigned website itself was, and could be claimed still is, a joke.

For similarities to the old Smile, I would recommend First Direct. It is also the top recommended by MoneySavingExpert for customer service. Tesco Bank Current Account is also an interesting option with the 3% interest rate.

PeacefulWaters

It was once the leading internet bank, but that really now goes to First Direct

First Direct? You're having a giraffe.

Functional, yes. Leading, Never.

Chapuys

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

First Direct? You're having a giraffe.

Functional, yes. Leading, Never.

Maybe I am just comparing it to Smile's old customer service/rates :rotfl: . Smile doesn't have any good interest rates, First Direct does have a 5% regular saver and top of the line customer service. It is only available online or on the phone.

I will accept other banks have vastly better web portals, however they are not classed as online only banks like Smile is/was.

bigadaj

Chapuys wrote: »

Maybe I am just comparing it to Smile's old customer service/rates :rotfl: . Smile doesn't have any good interest rates, First Direct does have a 5% regular saver and top of the line customer service. It is only available online or on the phone.

I will accept other banks have vastly better web portals, however they are not classed as online only banks like Smile is/was.

First direct was a great innovation as a telephone bank but that's nearly three decades ago, current offering is distinctly average or even poor. Their reviews at the top of the bank tables are slightly confusing and seem to be due to middle aged or even elderly customers liking teh telephone experience.

In terms of distinguishing as an Internet only bank then surely that's a disadvantage, better to have alternative methods of contact and means of account management, it's not a benefit to have such a restriction.

grumbler

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

First Direct? You're having a giraffe.

Functional, yes. Leading, Never.

What bank is now the leading internet (no branches) bank then?

PeacefulWaters

grumbler wrote: »

What bank is now the leading internet (no branches) bank then?

Well if you want to say an internet bank isn't allowed branches it's an intriguing question. Especially as both Smile and FD allow account functionality in parent branded branches.

I take the view that if they have online functionality they're an internet bank.