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Suits Me Review: An Alternative Banking Option

With no address requirement or credit checks, Suits Me presents an excellent alternative bank account for expats and newcomers alike – explore its key features, costs, and more.

Aleksandar Hrubenja
Author: 
Aleksandar Hrubenja
Muze Hasan
Editor: 
Muze Hasan
14 mins
November 8th, 2024
Expert Rating
7/10
Our Verdict - 7/10

Suits Me offers a great alternative for those facing credit checks or proof of address challenges. It's particularly suitable for new UK residents, people with poor credit scores, and those who are seeking improved financial management. They also offer solid added benefits, like cashback rewards from popular retailers.

However, Suits Me has several severe limitations. Above all, it costs much higher than other e-money accounts. These fees are mitigated if you pay a subscription on their Premium or Premium Plus accounts, but are not completely removed.

There are also no savings accounts or any direct way you can build your savings. In addition, Suits Me also doesn’t offer any type of leverage or lending (though this might be an advantage for some people).

Your money will definitely be safe with Suits Me, this is due to the level of regulation it adheres to.

Who is it best for?

Suits Me represents an alternative to standard banking accounts you can get with a traditional bank in the UK.

It’s an excellent alternative to a traditional bank account for those who struggle to get one – with no proof of address requirement or background checks, it provides robust opportunities for expats, new UK residents, and those with poor credit ratings.

Suits Me7.0Visitsuitsmecard.com/

Introducing Suits Me

Suits Me is an e-money account that offers a hassle-free alternative to traditional high-street banks in the UK. It was founded to cater to customers who face challenges in accessing mainstream accounts, especially for those who have poor credit history, or none at all.

Established in the UK in 2015 with the vision of offering inclusive financial services, Suits Me has quickly gained popularity among individuals with varying needs and backgrounds.

Types of Accounts

Monthly Fee

Eligibility criteria

Daily ATM Withdrawal Limit

Card Transaction Limit Per Week

Maximum balance

ATM withdrawal Fee

Cash top-up Fee

Essential Account

Free

18+; UK address; an accepted form of ID

£200

£10,000

£5,000

£1.50+2% of transaction value

£2.30 + 2.6%

Premium Account

£4.97

18+; UK address; an accepted form of ID

£300

£15,000

£7,500

£1.25+2.35% of transaction value

£1.29 + 2.6%

Premium Plus Account

£9.97

18+; UK address; an accepted form of ID

£500

£20,000

£10,000

4 Free (then £1.25+2.35% of transaction value)

£0.80 + 2.6%

As you can see in the table above, Suits Me offers three different tiers.

What they all have in common, something that Suits Me prides itself on, is that pretty much anyone can set up a bank account with them. They do not request credit checks or background checks. What they are interested in is- whether you have a UK address, are older than 18, and have either a UK driver's licence, an EU ID, or a passport as proof of identification.

All of these also offer a free Visa debit card, the ability to make and receive payments as well as setting up direct debits, and multilingual support. You also get free access to the digital banking app and cashback options.

There is a universal fee as well with a one-time first load fee of £9.97 when the account is first loaded with funds.

The first thing you'll probably notice is that Premium and Premium Plus have monthly subscription fees. However, that also means they have better options when it comes to transactions and withdrawals (covered in the table above).

There are many other features as well which are quite noticeable. Essential plans have a £1.25 for every electronic payment, while the other two accounts don't charge this fee. Furthermore, Premium Plus accounts get preferential VIP customer support, which just means they queue jump and wait less.

There are also a variety of Cash Top Up fees, as well as international withdrawal fees (which we will cover in the overseas usage section of our article), with all of these being progressively lower from Essential to Premium to Premium Plus plans.

Finally, we also need to mention that a Corporate account exists. However, information on these accounts is received by directly contacting the company.

Benefits & Additional Features – 8/10

Reward

Requirement

Cashback Option

Over 15 UK brands; 4% to 8% rates

Any account

Referral

£25; no limit on the number of referrals

Friend deposits £100 in account; makes 3 transactions within first month.

Product Discount

Varies from month to month

Any account

Marketplace

Discounts and trials for insurance and Credit Check services

Any account

Suits Me offers great opportunities to earn cashback, with all the most common brands, that actually pay off a Premium Plus account by itself. Its Referral Program is pretty good, with an unlimited number of referrals at your disposal.

However, its marketplace has a niche interest for people who might like it.

All in all, its cashback and referrals really make it stand out and credit checks are great for people who get this brand.

Benefits

We have to say that Suits Me does offer a sizable number of cashback options. The rates are between 4% and 8% for all brands, with only two being above 10%. However, you can find over 15 brands that accept Suite Me cashback, including staples like Sainsbury’s and ASDA.

As an example, an average household can save up to £11.04 on their weekly shopping trip to Sainsbury’s, which is more than enough to cover your Premium Plus plan. Note that cashback is available for every account.

Besides being a great cashback account, Suits Me also offers a Referral Program. As long as the friend you referred, makes three transactions in a single month and deposits £100 into their account, you will get £25. There is no limit on the number of people you can refer to.

Finally, the Account Holder Discount provides you with specific rewards every month. As long as you're an account holder, you gain access to a variety of discounts, like a month-long Audible trial, 25% off on airport parking, discounts on dog food, Mcdonald's, etc.

Features

At the time of writing, Suits Me offers only a couple of products on its marketplace, none of them particularly exciting.

First, when you are an account holder, you gain access to a pretty good deal on SO-SURE Mobile Phone Insurance. SO-SURE offers protection against phone loss, theft, and damage at £2.20. When applying through Suits Me and using their product code, you get a gift card and a free £10 Amazon voucher.

You also get one month free (if you pay annually) with the SO-SURE Home Contents Cover, which lets you insure some of your possessions.

Finally, you have an option of a two-week trial using UK CreditRatings, a company that can help you check, correct, and improve your credit score.

Saving & Interests Earned – 0/10

Unfortunately, Suits Me does not offer any kind of savings account or savings option.

Overdraft Limits & Fees – 0/10

Suits Me offers no overdraft option or any form of credit facility. They do this intentionally, to help customers better manage their finances and “get away from the lure of debt offered by mainstream banks”.

Overseas Usage – 7/10

ATM Withdrawal Fee- Europe

ATM Withdrawal Fee- International

Transaction Fee (GBP, EUR, RON, SEK)

International Transaction Fee (Other currencies)

Essential

Europe: £1.50 plus 2% of the transaction value.

International: £2.50 plus 2% of the transaction value

2% for foreign currency transactions

£1.00(+ 2% for foreign currency transactions)

Premium

Europe: £1.25 plus 2.35% of the transaction value

International: £2.50 plus 2.57% of the transaction value

2.35% for foreign currency transactions

£1.97(+ 2.57% for foreign currency conversion)

Premium Plus

Europe: £1.25 plus 2.35% of the transaction value.

International: £2.50 plus 2.57% of the transaction value

2.35% for foreign currency transactions

£1.97(+ 2.57% for foreign currency conversion)

Suits Me doesn't offer much in the way of transfers or overseas products.

Essentially there are a number of fees we have listed in the table above, along with a currency conversion rate matching regular Mastercard’s exchange rate.

Usability

Below we have done a quick technical overview of the Suits Me desktop platform and mobile app, on how they work and the general usability.

Suits Me Online Banking Review

We need to point out here, right away, that Suits Me is not a bank, nor an e-bank. It is an e-money institution.

This means that you can use it for transfers, pay your bills, receive money, make an online purchase, and pretty much anything you can do with a regular banking account. The emphasis here, however, is on the word “account”. Other benefits, like savings accounts, taking out a loan, and overdraft options, all of these are not available. Furthermore, there is no brick-and-mortar bank, online options are the only option.

As far as the accounts’ platform itself is concerned, it provides a seamless payment process, 24/7 transactions, and various methods for topping up funds. The user-friendly digital platform, along with multi-lingual support and relevant safety precautions make it a great choice.

Suits Me Design and Navigation

The Suits Me desktop platform, like its app, is clean and straightforward, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate.

The layout is intuitive, presenting information and features in a logical manner, so even new users can quickly find their way around. Finally, loading times and responsiveness are also excellent.

Login and Security Features

Suits Me has industry-standard safety precautions and features.

The website ensures security with industry-standard site-wide HTTPS and a robust SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate.

Furthermore, the mobile app employs strong authentication, either through a 5-digit mPIN or advanced fingerprint technology. Transactions are further safeguarded by One Time Passcodes (OTPs) sent to your registered phone number.

Suits Me App Review

Similar to other app-based banks, Suits Me app has basic yet effective functionality. It provides a simple and user-friendly experience, ensuring that essential tasks are easily accomplished.

With all the necessary features for accessing funds and managing finances, it covers the essential needs of its users. One standout feature is the ease of transferring funds between saved accounts, making it convenient for users to move their money seamlessly.

Opening a Suits Me Account

Account opening is pretty simple. First of all, there are only three criteria needed to open any type of account. Those are:

  • Have a UK address

  • Be 18 or older

  • Have an accepted ID document (valid Passport, full UK Driving Licence, or EU National ID Card)

Step-By-Step Process For Opening an Account

Below you can find the simple steps you need to follow to open an account.

Step 1
Apply for an Account

Visit Suits Me's website to apply for an account online.

Step 2
Enter Your Details

Enter your name, title, and any other information required in the relevant text boxes.

Step 3
Select the Account Type

Select the account type that works best for you and then click on “next step”

Step 4
Enter the Required Information

Enter the country code and any other information that is required, including your mobile phone, postcode, and address.

Step 5
Enter Your Personal Data

Next, enter your date of birth, nationality, and preferred language.

Step 6
Read the Terms and Conditions

Read the terms and conditions thoroughly, and check all the boxes if you accept. You will also find the option to opt in for extra emails about the company and your account.

Step 7
Verify Your Identity.

Next, you need to verify your identity. You will need to click on several approval prompts, asking you to confirm whether you let Suits Me access your location and your camera. Then, you will be prompted to take a selfie.

Step 8
Provide a Selfie

After submitting your selfie, you will provide some form of ID, either by uploading the image or taking a photo.

Step 9
Wait to Have Your Application Processed

Finally, you just need to wait a bit to have your application processed and then you will be ready to use Suits Me.

Customer Satisfaction & Reputation – 8.5/10

The general consensus about Suits Me is pretty positive, at least when it comes to customer reviews and response times. The platform is lauded for the dedication and care it takes to respond to customer issues.

Its customer service options are pretty much all you need and having five languages on offer is a nice bonus.

Finally, its safety features are excellent, covering all the bases an e-money institution should have. Read in more detail about all of these below.

Customer Reviews

Score

Trustpilot Score

4.1 ‎- 9k+ reviews

App Store Score

4.7 - 1.2K Ratings

Google Play Score

N/A

Trustpilot

Trustpilot reviews are generally positive, especially when we consider its 4.1 out of 5 rating. However, there was a mix of experiences from users. Some mentioned that the process of document verification took longer than expected, involving several email exchanges and attempts to upload images. However, the company stepped in and responded.

The company's customer services have received positive feedback, with praise for their call-back service, especially appreciated by busy individuals. Prompt, polite, and helpful responses to queries were highlighted, with one customer expressing satisfaction with the quick resolution of their issue.

A big point of contention was the sign-up process. Some reviewers claimed it was very quick and effortless, while others complained of delays.

Though there were minor delays in Suits Me card delivery impacting account activation, customers generally had a positive experience with the account once it was up and running.

Google Play

Unfortunately, Suits Me is not available on for Android users.

App Store

App Store reviews are similar to Trustpilot but with an even higher rating of 4.7. First of all, they are very satisfied with the level of support they received from the company. And, just like with Trustpilot, Suits Me representatives respond quickly, politely, and efficiently.

Some reviewers, however, complained about Suits Me’s fees, though the company rep responded by claiming that their fees have always been transparent and clear. Other reviewers claimed the iPhone version is buggy.

Other reviews sang praises of the company, and its app, its functionality, sleekness, and the features that Suit’s Me offers.

Customer Service

Email

[email protected]

Phoneline

03330 151 858

Live Chat Virtual Assistant

Yes

Suits Me has demonstrated excellent customer service quality, promptly responding to reviews on Trustpilot and being consistently helpful, polite, and attentive in their online interactions. However, a few reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with the slow response times for the live chat function.

The company offers language support in English, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Polish, available from 8 am to 8 pm every day of the week. While 24-hour support is not currently provided, customers can still reach them by phone for assistance.

While there doesn't seem to be an officially dedicated account manager, a representative is always there to answer people's questions, either through their customer service centre or on various platforms where people post complaints.

All in all, most people are satisfied with the customer support offered by Suits Me, with a minority of people complaining about slow response times.

Security

FCA regulation

Yes

FSCS protection

No

2FA

Yes

Virtual Cards

Yes

GDPR

Yes

Safeguard Fund Segregation

Yes

Financial Safety and Regulation

It is indirectly regulated by the FCA. Suits Me accounts are e-money accounts that are provided by Prepay Technologies Limited (trading as PPS). PPS is directly regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the UK, specifically for the issuance of e-money and the provision of payment services.

While Suits Me is not covered by Financial Services Compensation Scheme, PPS is still important to mention. PPS is directly tied to other safety systems implemented when you use Suits Me. Your money is protected through the process of “safeguarding” which means that your funds are segregated from the platform's corporate accounts.

This segregation ensures that the client's funds are not used for the platform's operational expenses and are not subject to any kind of seizure in case of bankruptcy or other legal issues.

Platform Safety and Protection

As far as the website is concerned, it has industry standard site-wide HTTPS and a robust SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate.

The mobile app is protected by either a 5-digit mPIN or advanced fingerprint technology, for authentication. Furthermore, transactions require inputting One Time Passcodes (OTPs) sent directly to your registered phone number.

Finally, the company adheres to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, keeping your data private and secure.

Alternatives

There are some great alternatives for Suits Me if you find its disadvantages too much, or its benefits a bit lacklustre. Specifically, we suggest:

Wise

Wise stands out with its no monthly fees policy, making it an attractive choice for users who want to avoid regular charges. The platform's support for over 50 currencies enables seamless international transactions, making it an ideal bank account for travellingand for individuals dealing with multiple currencies. Additionally, Wise generally offers low transfer fees.

Despite its strengths, Wise is primarily focused on money transfer services and lacks some features provided by traditional banks. It may not be the best option for users seeking full-service banking facilities or cash-based transactions.

Revolut

Revolut is renowned for its competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for frequent travellers and those dealing with international transactions. The app's advanced features for budgeting and spending control provide users with valuable tools to manage their finances effectively.

One of the drawbacks of Revolut is its similar monthly fees to that of Suits Me. Additionally, while it offers various financial services, it may not have the extensive banking features provided by traditional banks.

FAQs

Is Suits Me a UK Bank?
Is Suits Me a credit or debit card?
Who can open a Suits Me account?
Is Suits Me regulated?
Does Suits Me have a switching offer?
Does Suits Me give mortgages?
Does Suits Me offer joint accounts?

Contributors

Muze Hasan
Muze Hasan is a technical writer with deep experience writing for the Finance industry for topics including but not limited to stocks, cryptocurrency, mergers, acquisitions, valuation, and insurance. He is also a subject matter expert on Blockchain technology and has designed a plethora of web 3.0 whitepapers and pitch decks. On weekends, you can find him riding his Harley Davidson on the Himalayan mountain range.
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