Approval for any credit card will depend on your status. The APR shown represents the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.
The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Credit Card review 2020
Last updated:
Existing customers can enjoy low rates for an impressive three years with The Co-operative Bank.
Finder rating: ★★★★★
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 8.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 8.9% APR (variable).
8.9%
Representative APR
0%
Balance transfer fee
£0
Account fee
Up to 56 days
Interest-free each billing period
Details
| Issuer | The Co-operative Bank |
|---|---|
| Network | Visa |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Balance transfers | 8.9% |
| Balance transfer fee | 0% |
| Purchases | 8.9% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Cash advances | 27.9% |
| Min credit limit | £500 |
| Max credit limit | Not specified |
| Additional cards available | 1 |
Expert review
Review by
Chris Lilly
chris.lilly@finder.comChris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.
Expert review
If you’re looking for a credit card where a low everyday rate is guaranteed for a lengthy period, this could be the card for you.
There’s no annual fee to worry about, and the balance transfer fee of 0% will be a significant perk for some.
Realistically, there are 0% balance transfer and 0% purchase deals out there that could work out cheaper, especially if you’re trying to spread the cost of a big purchase or to pay back your old card’s balance.
On the other hand, if you find yourself carrying a balance on your card only occasionally, a low rate card could be a good option, and this card offers one of the lowest on the market. Just keep in mind that it’s only guaranteed for three years – there are credit cards out there that offer an ongoing long rate instead, so you may want to check those out too.
The other features of this card are pretty average. There are no special perks or rewards to get excited about and, because of the 2.75% fee on non-sterling transactions, it isn’t a great card to use abroad.
What's in this review?
Pros and cons
Pros
- A low ongoing interest rate (variable)
- No annual fee
Cons
- Minimum annual income requirement of £10,000
- Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible
- Only available to existing customers
How does it compare with other low rate deals?
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Repayment options
There are no 0% interest deals attached to this card, so you’ll want to repay your debt as quickly as possible. In any case, you’ll be subject to a minimum monthly repayment.
When it comes to repayments, you can make manual repayments online or over the phone (0345 600 6000), or alternatively set up a direct debit. A direct debit is a great idea because it protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee or losing any promotional rates as a result. You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
It’s also possible to arrange direct debits using the Co-operative Bank smartphone app.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | Fixed amount | Fixed percentage | Full amount |
|---|---|---|---|
How to apply for this Co-operative Bank deal
If you’ve compared cards and want to apply, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you’ll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Visa?
If The Co-operative Bank is able to offer you this deal, the offer will specify a personalised credit limit based on The Co-operative Bank's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £500 and The Co-operative Bank does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown The Co-operative Bank that you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Visa?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino, buying currency, etc.) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
The cash advance fee on The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Visa is 3% (min. £3). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £3.00. Withdraw £250, and you'll incur a fee of £7.50.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 27.9%, which is 213% more than the standard purchases rate (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).
How much does it cost to use The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Visa abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.75% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£177.37), it'll cost you around £4.88.
What is the minimum payment on The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Visa?
Each month you must pay at least 2% of your balance at that point or £5.00 – whichever of the two figures is greater. So if you had, say, £225.00 outstanding, you'd pay £5.00, and if you had £1,000.00 outstanding, you'd pay £20.00.
Paying only the minimum required amount each month is generally not advisable as it tends to be a very expensive way to borrow money which can lead to persistent debt.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.