Information Security ISO/IEC 27001

Smile - The Internet Bank

A UK-based internet bank has become the first in the world to be registered to BSI's Information Security Standard BS 7799.

The world-first registration was presented by BSI, the global product certification and quality assurance leader, to "Smile" (www.smile.co.uk). Backed by the The Co-operative Bank, Smile is one of the few purpose-built Internet bank to offer customers a current account as well as credit cards, personal loans, no-notice deposit accounts and a mini cash ISA.

Kay Ruddeforth, BSI's former Business Manager for IT and telecoms, said:

"BSI is proud to have worked with Smile on its world-first registration to BS 7799 for Internet banking. Registration to BS 7799 gives organisations the tools to safeguard confidentiality, integrity and availability of key information - both for themselves and for their customers."

Keith Girling, director of technology at the The Co-operative Bank said:

"Security is of paramount importance to Smile. We knew the multi-levels of security surrounding our Internet systems were extremely robust but it is very satisfying to know we have met all the rigorous requirements laid down by BSI."

Offering one of the best current accounts on the market, Smile, which is fully backed by The Co-operative Bank, - pays 3 per cent gross (3.04 per cent gross AER) on credit balances; an automatic, no fee £500 overdraft and an authorised overdraft rate of just 9.9 per cent. smile also has a special current account for students, which also pays 3.04 per cent AER and offers a totally free overdraft of up to £2,000.