Starling Bank Review – Best Online Bank in Britain

The Bottom Line: Starling Bank is a digital, mobile-only challenger bank based in the United Kingdom. It focuses on current and business account products.

Pros & Cons

Before opening a Starling Bank account, consider the advantages and disadvantages before doing so. 

For all you international business owners (or those who have multiple passports and need international bank accounts), it might be a good idea to find a non-U.S. based bank.

In the United Kingdom, the banking industry has been catching up with the times to accommodate consumers who are increasingly using their mobile phones.

Since that’s the case, it makes sense to have a bank where you can manage your finances straight from an all.

There are a bunch of banks (referred to as 'challenger banks' in the U.K.) that have risen to the cause, helping to make it more convenient and less costly to use — Starling is one of them.

In our Starling Bank review we’re going to take a look at the bank’s features, fees and who it’s a good fit for.

What is Starling Bank?

Starling Bank is a mobile-only bank that’s based in the U.K. Founded in 2014 by Anne Boden, the current CEO, Starling represents an opportunity to deviate away from the way traditional banks are run. 

The bank raised £48 million after an investment round two years later in January 2016.

In July of that same year, it got their banking license from the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

It’s also the first bank in the U.K. to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). 

The founder is the first female founder of a British Bank. Before Starling, she worked at roles such as for RBS as the head of EMEA, Allied Irish Banks as the COO and Executive Vice president for ABN AMRO.

The bank won the best current account provider and best British bank at the British Bank Awards in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Starling has also been awarded numerous Best Business Banking Provider awards by a host of industry bodies in the UK.

Currently, there are over 2.8 million customer accounts held with Starling.

How Do Starling Bank Accounts Work?

Starling Bank’s app focuses on the basics — it’s pretty intuitive to use, offering a minimalist design so you can find exactly what you need.

Sections are organized by tabs where you can access their features.

These include:

Account holders will also get a physical bank card after signing up.

The Mastercard debit card is pretty much your standard card, where you can withdraw cash from ATMs to make payments. 

If you want to deposit cash, you can do it at any Post Office in the U.K. since Starling doesn’t have any physical branches.

You can activate your debit card right in the app.

Types of Accounts

Starling Bank offers a few basic type of accounts suited for various needs:

Features

Now that you know what type of bank accounts you can open at Starling, let’s talk about the different features these accounts offer.

They’re there to help you manage your money better and see what ways you can improve your financial life. 

Fees

The good news is that Starling Bank doesn’t charge many fees compared to your standard traditional bank.

You don’t need to pay for basic banking services and transactions.

This includes monthly maintenance fees and domestic and international ATM withdrawals.

Cash deposits at ATMs are also free but you’ll need to head to the local post office to do so.

Domestic money transfers are free but international money transfers are charged.

The fee will depend on how much cash you send and the country you’re sending it to. 

Another fee is what you’ll be charged for overdrafts. Depending on your credit score, you could be charged 15%, 25% or 35% EAR. 

Starling offers an arranged overdraft option. Interest is calculated daily and charged starting at 15%, 25% or 35% EAR (variable) based on the customer’s credit score.

There are no additional charges for un-arranged overdrafts - which is rare with a UK bank account.

Is Starling Bank Safe?

It’s natural to wonder if your money will be safe if you go with a new bank like Starling.

Since the bank is covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), you’re covered for up to £85,000 if Starling goes bankrupt.

Plus, Starling is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - meaning you get access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme should you fall victim to fraud.

The bank is also adhering to the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) code, a voluntary industry code that indicates it’ll refund any authorized transactions made from your account. 

It’ll also refund you in the event you’re scammed by someone into sending money voluntarily.  

Let’s not forget Starling’s app and card, which has a few security features to help protect your account.

First, you’ll need to provide video and photo ID in order to complete your registration. 

You can deactivate (or freeze) your card within seconds in the app and you can also contact customer service immediately for help.

Finally, you can opt for transaction notifications (including home screen notifications so you’re alerted to any suspicious activity.)

Starling Bank vs. Competitors

Should You Sign Up For Starling Bank?

Account holders who have used Starling Bank rave about how easy and convenient it is to use. 

The app is simple to use and efficient since you can get to the features you want.

Even though it’s new, Starling is working on offering more features. 

It’s also a great bank if you want to travel overseas since it doesn’t charge fees for ATM withdrawals or foreign card bank payments.

Those who want other features like in-person customer service or use cash a lot might not like it, but it’s a great supplemental or main bank account nonetheless.

If you’re comfortable around a smartphone and want a bank with no monthly fees, then give Starling a go.