Smile - are they decent?

[KardioKate]

Looking to move away from Lloydstsb and smile has come up on my radar.

Does anyone here bank with them? Are they any good? I just need a current account that can do direct debits - nothing complicated. They are offering a years interest free overdraft which I might as well have for the time being too.

Any opinions / alternatives?

[SteveScooby]

First Direct take some beating

[Teddye4687]

First direct

[KardioKate]

I ain't paying.

[jaybirduk]

Another vote for First Direct. It's free if you pay in over £1500 a month or a sneaky way to get it free is to open a saving account with £1 and they count that as a second product thus elibable for free banking.

Of course, what PHer doesn't earnt less than £10k a month?

[KardioKate]

jaybirduk said:

Another vote for First Direct. It's free if you pay in over £1500 a month or a sneaky way to get it free is to open a saving account with £1 and they count that as a second product thus elibable for free banking.

Of course, what PHer doesn't earnt less than £10k a month?

I earn nowhere near £1500 a month. I'm a student and get paid in cash anyway. Generally only put n the amount of my DDs.

[s2sol]

I've had a personal account with Smile for several years, and it's been trouble free. The online banking works, and the helpline is useful. You can make cheque or cash deposits at any post office. It's just what banking should be - unobtrusive.

[KardioKate]

s2sol said:

I've had a personal account with Smile for several years, and it's been trouble free. The online banking works, and the helpline is useful. You can make cheque or cash deposits at any post office. It's just what banking should be - unobtrusive.

Thanks, sounds pretty much what I'm after. Being able today in via PO is a deal breaker / maker for me.

[stewies_minion]

I've been with Smile since their launch.

Absolutely faultless service. Nothing is too much bother. Polite & sensible responses to messages.

Highly recommended.

[KardioKate]

stewies_minion said:

I've been with Smile since their launch.

Absolutely faultless service. Nothing is too much bother. Polite & sensible responses to messages.

Highly recommended.

Sounds good, many thanks!

[john2443]

I've used Smile for a number of years and can't offer any criticism.

On line is good, any cash machine can be used, call centres are, I'm pretty sure, in the UK - I very rarely speak to them because I've not had any problems that need it and can do it all on line.

Can't compare them to 1st direct as I've never used them, but I can't give any reason for not using Smile, apart from a not very PH pink credit card

[Drogo]

Another vote for Smile.

[Ki3r]

jaybirduk said:

Another vote for First Direct. It's free if you pay in over £1500 a month or a sneaky way to get it free is to open a saving account with £1 and they count that as a second product thus elibable for free banking.

Of course, what PHer doesn't earnt less than £10k a month?

Don't even need to put a £1 in it.

[geordieracer]

Another vote for Smile here too. The service is second to none!

[m444ttb]

Smile are Co-Op who score very well for customer satisfaction.

[whoami]

m444ttb said:

Smile are Co-Op who score very well for customer satisfaction.

I find then pretty average (both Coop Bank and Smile brands).

[KardioKate]

Well I applied for the account on Saturday... It's now all setup and I even have my debit card. Although I am still waiting for my pin.

And just when I want to move money across Lloydstsb is down.

Pfffftttt.

[ringram]

Zero interest, so zero point IMO.

[KardioKate]

ringram said:

Zero interest, so zero point IMO.

Depends on income level surely? No money gets left in my account. What goes in is for DDs only.

[AntonyMark]

They did well in last bank crisis and attracted loads of cash.
I get 0.5% on my ISA and will move as lousy
They need to step up or cash will move
apart from that service,web site are good