Starling Bank

If the question is ‘will this still be here in ten years,’ Starling scores at the top of the UK set. Monzo is more fun; Starling is more bank.

Starling is a UK-authorised bank founded by Anne Boden. It stayed narrower than Revolut: current accounts, business accounts, and a marketplace of savings and loans. That discipline is the product. FSCS applies to eligible deposits.

Starling Bank lists UK bank under PRA / FCA in United Kingdom. On safeguarding we currently write: FSCS up to £85,000. Holder / issuer line: Starling Bank Ltd. An AML programme is claimed. Local bank details (IBAN / sort code / equivalent) are part of the pitch. We list 1 live markets on the product. As we score the sticker: monthly Personal free · Business from £0–£7+; FX Mastercard rate; no Starling markup on personal spend; ATM Fee-free ATM abroad on personal (fair usage); interest Personal and business savings pots. This desk would open it for: UK individuals and SMEs who want a real bank, not a wallet.

What it does well: Conservatively run UK bank; Excellent business account; Fee-free personal FX spend is still a headline feature. What to watch: UK-only onboarding; App is calmer, less playful than Monzo; Fewer ‘lifestyle’ extras. Desk score 8.1 / 10 (safety 9.2, fees 8.6, features 8.2, app 8.6). Last verified 2026-08-01. Headquartered in London, United Kingdom; founded 2014. None of this is advice — it is a file so you can read the entity before the card colour.