Journal28 Mar 2026 · 8 min read
Australia after the thinning: Up, Archa, Spriggy, Airwallex
The consumer ADI that lasted, the business card that is not a bank, the kids prepaid, and the cross-border platform founders actually use.
Hay, Douugh, and Volt-era brands clutter old directories. Live Australia in 2026 is smaller and more honest. Up is an ADI-backed spend account. Archa is a Mastercard spend platform with a no-personal-guarantee pitch. Spriggy is kids prepaid. Airwallex is the B2B corridor machine.
FCS is not a vibe
The Financial Claims Scheme covers deposits at ADIs up to $250,000. Stored-value, credit cards, and EMI-style wallets are outside it. If a page lists Archa under ‘best banks’ without that line, close the tab.
Revolut and Wise
Both operate in Australia. They are the travel and invoice layer, not a replacement for an ANZ salary account — unless you have verified the current AU licence for the exact product.
On NeoBankDB
Files named in this note. Licence first. Score second. Open the review, not the ad.
- HQ
- Melbourne
- Fee
- Free
- HQ
- Sydney
- Fee
- Subscription + interest-free periods on the card
- HQ
- Sydney
- Fee
- Subscription per parent plan
- HQ
- Singapore
- Fee
- Account often free
- HQ
- London
- Fee
- Free personal