What an amazing service applied on the 10 had a message saying approved today I cannot thank smart money for such help. Keep up the good work
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excellent customer service. had a problem with the app today completely an application, so i called in the staff member was very patient and helpful fixed the problem right away and stayed on the phon... See more
I've just had a major underpayment from work and universal credit. As a single mum, with Christmas less than a week away, it was all becoming so overwhelming whilst waiting for a reconsideration from... See more
I applied for the family loan thinking it would be simple to be granted to me as the payments are taken directly from your child benefit. This was not the case, I was denied on the basis of my cre... See more
Company details
Written by the company
Smart Money Cymru Credit Union provides straightforward, affordable financial services to anyone living or working in Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Newport.
Contact info
64-66 Cardiff Road, CF83 1JQ, Caerphilly, United Kingdom
- 02920 883751
- info@smartmoneycymru.co.uk
- smartmoneycymru.co.uk
4.4
Excellent
91 reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
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Thanks Smart Money Cymru!
I joined Smart Money Cymru last year, after doing some research on what a credit union was, and how they work. I'd been thinking for a while to move away from the high street banks, and look for a more ethical way to save money. What I really like about Smart Money Cymru is the fact that they genuinly want to help people in Wales with their money, and they want to help people understand money and feel more confident with it. I've found their social media has been a great source of information, and whenever I call the office - always speak to helpful staff. It's been great to see their dividend increase this year too, and I feel like I'm part of an exciting journey with this credit union - while being confident that my savings are safe, and not funding weapons!
(Note: I haven't used the loan service or Smart Goods, this review is for the Savings and customer service only).
Thanks Smart Money Cymru!
June 6, 2022
Unprompted review
Perfect example of unethical banking
They will attract you through big promises and (fake) care for communities and individuals who lives in Wales.
But if you have been a UK resident for less than six years and your credit score is not brilliant - don't bother. They will take all the information from you and ask you to share even your bank statements in detail, they will scan you thoroughly and - reject you if you applied for the loan.
In short, they are not ethical, nor do they care about communities or are interested in helping people. They are not 'empowering' anyone else but themselves. They are just taking from the poor to help the rich with lower interest rates to get even richer. They are pushing people who need help deeper into debt.
Shameful. And sad.
Edit:
Regarding your answer, you can continue selling fairytales but not to me — no need to assure me of anything. I was rejected literally 10 minutes after submitting my application which is not enough time to even check my bank statements. So, you are a liar. The only thing you did was check my credit score, which is lower because I've been in Britain for less than six years. I certainly don't want to be your member after such an experience. As I wrote, you're helping rich people to become more prosperous, and that's all you do.
April 5, 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Gala,
Thanks for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Community Bank. I'm sorry to hear you are not happy with the service you received.
I'd like to assure you that the team undertake a thorough assessment of any application that we receive to ensure that any loan issued is affordable and right for members. There are many things our Underwriters need to consider when assessing loan application and we do not look at how long a member has been a UK resident as part of this process. Also, I'd like to assure you SMCCB are committed to helping our local communities as far as possible. For example, any profit that is made by Smart Money Cymru is distributed amongst all of our members as a dividend.
I hope this has put your mind at ease that we take care when when making our assessments on loan applications. It would be great if you would be willing to discuss your thoughts with us over the phone, so we can discuss your account in more depth with you. You can reach us on option 1 via 02920 883751 should you wish to do so.
Kind Regards,
SMCCB
Amazing company would recommend…
Amazing company would highly recommend the staff are well mannered and nothing is to much trouble by far the best company
February 25, 2022
Unprompted review
I was helped by a lady called abbie…
I was helped by a lady called abbie very nice and easy to talk to really fast help as well very polite to
February 16, 2022
Unprompted review
Very Disappointed 😞
I applied for a savings account and paid the £5 activation fee with my own debit card in my name. I received an email explaining that further ID checks were needed. I've lived at my address for 5 years and opened plenty of accounts at this address, I've never had to do this. If you look at their manual application, for an adult account stated on there as accepted ID it clearly says:
"Benefit entitlement letter (confirming benefit payable within 12 months) - Identity or Address"
I explained I had a letter notifying me of the carers allowance I receive to care for Mum but they said they would only accept this if it was within the last 3 months? You clearly say 12 months on your application.
In addition to this they wanted another two forms of address identification. I'm not applying for loan. I simply wanted to move my £60,000 inheritance from Dad from Celtic Credit Union to you because I wanted to support my local credit union just as Dad always did as I will be moving to Caerphilly soon.
Such a shame and a loss to the union. I will apply to another local union instead, hopefully they will appreciate my money 💰 with them.
January 18, 2022
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Good Morning,
We're really sorry to hear you are unhappy with Smart Money Cymru Community Bank and would like to make it right.
When members open account with us, in order to comply with the strict Anti-Money Laundering regulations we adhere to, if we are unable to automatically validate your identity we will ask for further ID from you, which must be dated within the last 3 months to ensure validity.
Unfortunately, our physical application form does not reflect this change, so thank you for pointing this out for us. Our ID requirements are available to view on our website.
We would welcome talking to you in person about the issue you've had with your ID and how you can overcome this. Please give us a call on 02920 883751 where one of the team will be happy to help.
Thank you for reviewing our service.
Kind regards,
Terri
SMCCB
Zoe was very helpful and polite
Zoe was very helpful and polite. Full of enthusiasm and great customer service.
December 21, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Good Afternoon Natasha,
Thank you for taking the time to review our services. Zoe is a great member of the team and I will pass on your great comments about her.
Thanks,
Terri
SMCCB
Never again rude and abnoxious
November 1, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Good Morning,
We're really sorry to hear you are unhappy with Smart Money Cymru Community Bank and would like to make it right. We do not wish for any of our members to feel they have been treated in any manner other than our usual polite way here at SMCCB, so please can you contact us so we can discuss what has happened. Our telephone number is 02920 883751.
Thank you, we look forward to speaking with you.
Kind regards,
Terri
SMCCB
Fantastic customer service Iv had on…
Fantastic customer service Iv had on both occasions from both Abbie and Zoe so helpful explained everything to me and no questions were to much trouble .
September 20, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Mrs Dibble,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with our Underwriting Team, I will make sure that they see your fantastic comments about them, as they really do go above and beyond for our members.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
I applied and was sorted very quickly…
I applied and was sorted very quickly by Abbie,have no faults at all a great way to save and intrest rates are amazing,much better than door step pay day loan companys.Abbie was very helpful,was sorted very quickly and efficently thank you very much.
September 1, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Nicola,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. Thank you for your lovely comments, I will make sure the team sees them.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Been with these guys since 2016 and…
Been with these guys since 2016 and I've always had such a great experience with them. Extremely helpful and friendly! Being able to have a loan and save at the same time is a blessing itself. Once my loan is paid back I'll have a lovely amount of savings that I can either spend or I can keep saving. Its a very good investment as you're gaining even while paying off the loan. Top marks from me :D
September 1, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Devon,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with us over the years. It's great to see that you appreciate saving alongside paying off your loan. It really is worth adding that little bit to your account each month isn't it?
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Amazing customer service
I went to the office in Blackwood and I meet Carol and Esme.
I had a few questions and they were brilliant with the way they responded, they made sure I was happy with the answers given and understood what the next steps would be.
I couldn't have asked for better service. Thank you both for all your help.
August 28, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Steven,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. We really happy to see that you were satisfied with the advice the Blackwood staff gave you and I will ensure that they see your wonderful comments.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Best experience ever would recommend to…
Best experience ever would recommend to any one,fast service,friendly people who go above and beyond to help our agent was called abbey and was very helpful 😊
August 26, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Good Morning,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. We are so happy to see that you would recommend us to others and the comments you've made about Abbie are great-I will make sure that she sees them.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Thank you smart money
Thank you smart money. I cannot fault the service I received from Abbie (Caerphilly branch). The application was easy step by step online, seconds after I submitted the application Abbie telephoned and explained the next step. Ten minutes later she called back to say my application was successful and that I would receive the funds the same day. Amazing service.
August 25, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Lia,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with Abbie, I will make sure that she sees your fantastic comments about her.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Easy to set up.
Ultra easy to join with super customer support and you get to contribute to your local economy.
I've recommended to friends and family,
August 24, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Caroline,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with us and you'd be happy to recommend SMCCU to friends and family.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Cannot fault this company and Abbie is…
Cannot fault this company and Abbie is amazing, so helpful and nothing is to much trouble
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
August 20, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Good Morning,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's great to hear that you were so impressed with Abbie, I'll make sure that she sees your lovely comments about her.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Abi and Zoe were great and helpful…
Abi and Zoe were great and helpful explaining everything fully to myself and helping myself understand the process
August 19, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Dan,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with our Underwriting Team, I will make sure that they see your fantastic comments about them, as they really do go above and beyond for our members.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Really good company
Really good company, really lovely staff. Last year I hit rock bottom and they helped me out when no one else would. Absolutely amazing people
August 19, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. We so glad that we could help you, we do try our best to help any member that applies to us.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Saving & borrowing 5* service
I’ve been saving with SMU for over a year now and I’ve recently arranged some lending through them. Abbie was exceptionally professional, assessed my case taking into consideration all evidence supplied and turned my loan around within a couple of hours. I’m extremely grateful for the guidance SMU has provided me.
August 19, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Angharad,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with Abbie and I will make sure that she sees your lovely comments about her.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Abbie was a wonderful help in…
Abbie was a wonderful help in processing my application..thank you so much.
Caerphilly branch
August 19, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Samantha,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to hear that you've had such great experience with Abbie.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
Excellent customer service from Abbie…
Excellent customer service from Abbie Caerphilly branch
August 17, 2021
Unprompted review
Reply from Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Hi Andrea,
Thank you for taking the time to review Smart Money Cymru Credit Union. It's wonderful to see your fantastic comments about Abbie and I will make sure that she sees them.
We're also on Facebook, so please like our page to keep up to date with new products and information.
Best wishes,
Terri
SMCCU
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