How to apply for the Co-operative Members Credit Card: complete step-by-step guide
This page explains how to apply for the Co-operative Members Credit Card, including the current eligibility requirements, information you need and the costs to review before applying.
Approval is subject to status, a credit check and an assessment of your personal circumstances.
Step 1: Check the eligibility requirements
The main cardholder must be 18 or over, a UK resident and employed full time, part time, self-employed or retired.
You must currently earn a minimum gross annual income of £10,000.
You must also have held a Co-operative Bank or smile current account for at least seven months. Cashminder accounts are not eligible.
The card is specifically for Co-op Members. During the application, you will need your Co-op Membership number.
Co-op Membership is managed by the Co-op Group, which is separate from and no longer affiliated with The Co-operative Bank.
The bank also states that applicants must not have had Defaults, County Court Judgements, IVAs, Trust Deeds or bankruptcy within the previous six years.
You must not currently be in arrears or have missed more than two payments on a credit agreement within the previous six months.
Step 2: Have your information ready
The Co-operative Bank publishes a specific list of information you should have available before starting the application.
You will need details of your monthly income and outgoings.
You should also have any previous addresses from the last three years ready.
The application requires the account number and sort code of your main bank account.
The bank does not state that every applicant must automatically upload a passport, driving licence, utility bill or payslips.
Additional information or verification may be requested where necessary.
Step 3: Submit your application
You can start the application through the official Co-operative Members Credit Card page.
The bank states that completing the form should take around 10 minutes if you have the required information available.
You can save the application while completing it and return to it later.
A credit reference agency provides information about your credit history as part of the assessment.
Submitting the application generates a hard search, which appears on your credit file.
The bank also offers application support through a branch appointment, video call or telephone if you prefer not to complete the process without assistance.
Step 4: What happens after applying
The Co-operative Bank states that it will normally provide the outcome of a credit card application within five business days.
Approval depends on the credit check and an assessment of your personal circumstances.
If an application is unsuccessful, the bank states that it will explain why.
The decision may be based on information received from the credit reference agency or information the bank already holds about your existing accounts.
If your application is approved, the bank will confirm your credit limit as part of the account arrangements.
A new Co-operative Bank credit card currently arrives already activated, so there is no separate card activation step required.
Step 5: Review the APR and credit limit
The Co-operative Members Credit Card currently has an 18.2% representative APR variable.
The purchase rate is also 18.2% p.a. variable.
The representative example is based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200.
This does not mean that £1,200 will be your actual credit limit.
The minimum credit limit currently available is £500. The maximum depends on what the bank assesses you can reasonably afford to repay.
There is no annual fee for holding the card.
Step 6: Understand balance transfers
The card currently charges no balance transfer fee.
You can transfer up to 95% of your agreed credit limit, with a minimum balance transfer of £100.
Balances cannot be transferred from another Co-operative Bank or smile credit card.
Importantly, having no transfer fee does not mean that balance transfers are interest free.
The standard balance transfer rate is currently 18.2% p.a. variable, and there is no standard interest-free period for balance transfers.
Step 7: Check other charges
Cash withdrawals currently have a 3% fee, with a minimum charge of £3.
The interest rate for cash transactions is currently 27.9% p.a. variable, and cash withdrawals do not benefit from an interest-free period.
Purchases can receive up to 56 days interest free when the required conditions are met, including paying the balance in full by the due date.
Foreign currency purchases currently carry a 2.75% currency conversion fee.
Withdrawing cash abroad can incur both the 2.75% currency conversion fee and the applicable cash withdrawal fee.
Late or missed payments currently carry a £10 charge.
Step 8: Understand the cashback
Eligible spending currently earns 0.5% cashback at Co-op food stores and 0.3% elsewhere where Visa is accepted.
Balance transfers and cash withdrawals do not earn cashback.
A valid Co-op Membership number must remain registered for you to receive cashback.
The bank sends the cashback summary to the Co-op Group twice a year, in January and July.
The Co-op Group then arranges payment according to the cashback programme terms.
Before you apply
Consider the APR, your expected monthly repayments and whether the cashback is useful for your normal spending.
The bank warns that making multiple credit applications within a short period can negatively affect your credit score.
You can check your credit score before applying, but meeting all published eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Review the current Summary Box and credit agreement before proceeding.
About The Co-operative Bank
The Co-operative Members Credit Card is provided by The Co-operative Bank p.l.c..
The bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Co-op Membership required for this card is provided separately by the Co-op Group and should not be confused with membership of the bank or any other organisation.
The Co-operative Bank is responsible for the credit assessment, credit limit and lending decision.
This website does not participate in any of those decisions.
You must be a UK resident aged 18 or over, have an annual income of at least £10,000, and hold a Co-operative Bank or smile current account for at least seven months. Certain account types may not meet the eligibility requirements.
You earn 0.5% cashback on purchases at Co-op food stores and 0.3% cashback elsewhere wherever Visa is accepted. Cashback is typically credited automatically as you spend.
There is no annual fee and no balance transfer fee for members using this card. All fees are clearly outlined in your approval documentation.
You apply online via the Co-operative Bank website. You must log in to your account, complete the application form, and upload the necessary documents. The application is exclusive to existing bank members.
Independent editorial notice: This website provides independent informational content. We are not a bank, lender, credit broker or financial institution, and we are not affiliated with The Co-operative Bank or the Co-op Group. We do not issue cards, process applications or make lending decisions. Product rates, fees and eligibility requirements can change, so check the provider’s current information before applying.
Credit is subject to status and eligibility. Missing or late repayments may result in charges and can affect your credit record. If you are experiencing difficulties with debt, free and impartial guidance is available from MoneyHelper.
