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Banking Guides

Maximise today’s banking options with the right tools.

Best Banks in the UK

At Moneyzine, we aim to help navigate you amid the changing banking landscape. We conduct extensive research and comb through reams of data to provide you with key information about the best banks available for various purposes.

In a crowded landscape of numerous banks competing for your attention with a million and one marketing campaigns, deciding which ones truly offer the best services and benefits can leave you feeling overwhelmed. From the esteemed pillars of the traditional high street to the trailblazing pioneers of online-only banking, our selection highlights those banks that consistently deliver exceptional value and reliability to their clients.
March 25th, 2024
If you have a significant amount of wealth or specialist financial needs, regular banks may not be best placed to serve you. With a private bank, however, you'll have someone you can call on day or night, who knows you and your financial goals inside out.
February 27th, 2024
Buying a home should be a joyful experience, but a stressful mortgage application process or unexpected costs could easily spoil it. To help you avoid this, we've reviewed and ranked some of the UK's best banks for mortgages.
December 14th, 2023
In the past year, we’ve seen an uptick in UK banks’ restrictions on cryptocurrencies. The likes of Santander, HSBC, and Natwest introduced new limitations on using their credit and debit cards to purchase cryptocurrencies. And they are not alone – since the pool of crypto-friendly banks is shrinking, and it's getting difficult for customers to purchase cryptocurrency.
October 16th, 2023
In recent years, the rise of online-only banks has turned the industry on its head. With a mobile-first approach and no overheads from physical branches, these online-only banks are able to offer an array of features that more traditional banks struggle to match.
February 27th, 2024

Everyday Accounts

We don't often think too much before applying for a bank account, and potentially miss out on products that suit our needs the best. Explore our selections of best everyday accounts for a range of purposes – from student accounts to savings accounts, our team put the hours in to identify the best offerings available.

Packaged bank accounts are current accounts bundled with additional services like insurance and breakdown cover provided at a price lower than subscribing to each service individually.
March 4th, 2024
With the cost of living rising, every penny counts. This means that getting money back on your purchases can make a world of difference. Plenty of bank accounts offer cashback rewards, but are they really worth it once you take into account the fees and limitations?
December 8th, 2023
Switching to a new bank account could result in paying lower fees, earning more interest, or accessing better features. But on top of this, some banks will actually give you free cash if you transfer your account to them.
February 19th, 2024
December 20th, 2023
You've got a few great options for opening a euro bank account in the UK.
March 4th, 2024
The growing emphasis on financial literacy in schools and in society overall has encouraged parents to start educating their children about money management from a very young age. Additionally, digitising financial services has made it easier for parents to entrust their young ones with payment instruments they can manage and control from their phones.
October 31st, 2023
A variable rate ISA, which pays interest on a variable rate, is an excellent choice to benefit from hiking interest rates. We scraped the market to find you the best rates available – scroll down to find out about best deals available, get informed about how variable-rate ISAs work, and whether they are the right choice for you.
November 9th, 2023
Reward bank accounts offer perks in return for your spending. These perks range from cashback offers to discounts at select retailers. Typically, they charge a modest monthly fee and may impose minimum pay-in requirements.
March 5th, 2024
Joint accounts offer an excellent way for couples, family members, or business partners to manage their finances effectively. This guide will look at the top recommendations for the best joint bank accounts for UK customers.
March 5th, 2024
Are you feeling the pinch of rising living costs? Now more than ever, it's crucial to stretch every pound. The key? Choosing the perfect savings account that aligns with your financial goals.
March 5th, 2024
#Keeping track of personal finances and managing budgets effectively has become increasingly important amidst the living cost crisis. To help individuals gain control over their finances, budgeting apps have emerged as powerful tools.
January 5th, 2024
Want to earn free interest on idle cash? Sounds like a no-brainer, right?
March 12th, 2024
Are you tired of juggling various tasks like taxes, invoicing, admin duties, and trying to keep your clients happy, both in the UK and overseas? Being self-employed can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. One way to reduce the hassle is to have a reliable business account that fits your needs.
January 8th, 2024
Having the right type of bank account can make all the difference when it comes to planning and enjoying your travels. The last thing you want is for your holidays to be spoiled by unexpected costs or lack of access to banking features.
March 4th, 2024
Ever found yourself out of pocket because of high currency conversion fees or volatile exchange rates? If this happens to you, then you could benefit from a UK multi-currency account.
February 8th, 2024

Bank Reviews

In our reviews, we take a deep dive into what banks have to offer, and why they might (or not) be a good fit for you.

Unlike its close cousins Monzo and Revolut, Starling doesn’t do tiered accounts – all types of bank accounts, including the personal current, joint, kids, and euro, free of charge.
March 4th, 2024
With a remarkable history dating back to 1690, Barclays stands as one of the oldest and most influential financial institutions in the UK. Founded by two Quakers, John Freame and Thomas Gould, as goldsmiths in London, the bank initially offered loans to businesses and merchants.
November 16th, 2023
March 5th, 2024
Monzo is one of the top-rated banks in the UK with over seven million customers. Its unique selling point is convenience, simplicity, and working alongside its community to improve products and add new ones. 81% of Monzo’s customers recommend the bank to friends and family.
November 15th, 2023
Monese is a digital bank catering to users residing in the UK or Europe who need to open a bank account without passing credit checks or providing proof of address.
November 16th, 2023
Suits Me is an e-money account that offers a hassle-free alternative to traditional high-street banks in the UK. It was founded to cater to customers who face challenges in accessing mainstream accounts, especially for those who have poor credit history, or none at all.
March 4th, 2024
Launched in September 2021, Chase Bank is the United Kingdom's newest retail banking service. As part of JPMorgan Chase, one of the biggest finance companies in the USA, this new digital bank is based in London and offers current and savings accounts with no monthly service fees. Let’s dive into these features and how Chase compares to other banks.
February 27th, 2024
Revolut is a company at the front end of the fintech revolution. It was founded by Nik Storonsky, formerly a trader with Credit Suisse and Lehman Bros., and Vlad Yatsenko, a software developer with Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank, in 2015. It was born out of Storonsky’s frustrations with poor exchange rates and high fees charged by traditional banks as he travelled around.
March 5th, 2024
January 12th, 2024
Online-only banks are rapidly gaining popularity in the UK, with over 27% of residents opting for this modern approach to banking. Two of the most prominent digital banks are Revolut and Monzo, with a combined user base of over 35 million worldwide.
January 2nd, 2024
Anne Boden founded Starling Bank back in 2014, following an esteemed career working for the likes of Allied Irish Banks and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The team, in their own words, “built a bank from scratch” with a customer-centric approach to challenge traditional players by simplifying banking.
February 27th, 2024
Zing is a brand-new app for sending and spending money abroad. It represents HSBC’s endeavour to compete with the likes of Wise and Revolut in the hugely valuable market of international payments. As a brand new entrant to the market, it’s yet to be seen how Zing will fare against the big guns. Though there is limited information about the newly launched app, this review will tell you everything we do know and why Zing could soon be a household name.
March 14th, 2024
Wise and Revolut have come to be dominant forces in the money transfer space thanks to slick apps and lower fees than high street banks. Now, Zing is aiming to challenge that dominance. It combines the smooth mobile experience and fee structure of a fintech with the experience and expertise of the HSBC Group.
March 14th, 2024
In November 2023, Intuit Inc. announced that they will be shutting down Mint, a popular budgeting app, on January 1, 2024. If you are a long-time user of Mint, this news might come as a shock, and you might be wondering what to do next.
April 10th, 2024

Fundamental Banking Guides

Explore our banking guides to make informed decisions and navigate the banking landscape with confidence.

Opening a bank account is like taking the first step towards financial freedom and security. It's an important milestone in adulthood, but the process can be confusing if you don't know what to expect. If you're still looking for the best bank account, we recommend you check our list of the best online bank accounts in the UK, but if you already know what you want, whether it's a current or savings account, the following guide will help you get up and running quickly and securely.
November 9th, 2023
As your business and personal needs evolve, you may find that it is necessary to close a bank account. Perhaps you are consolidating your accounts, need to move the funds from one account to another or no longer require the services of your current bank. Regardless of the reasons for the closure, understanding how to close a bank account properly and efficiently will help protect your hard-earned money.
July 21st, 2023
Whether it's a streaming service subscription or an electricity bill, many of us are used to making recurring payments with debit cards. But do you know the ins and outs of how these transactions work? From automatic billing to different payment terms, there’s much more than you think when it comes to setting up recurring card payments.
July 21st, 2023
About 1 in every 5 people in the UK has an overdraft facility on their current account. And we are relying on them more than ever: the overdraft usage has increased by 7.1% between August 2021 and December 2022. Overdrafts can turn into a serious financial undertaking, so it's important to understand how they work and the associated fees before tangling yourself in debt.
July 21st, 2023
Whether you are looking to purchase something you can’t afford upfront or just want to spread the cost of something over a longer period, there are many borrowing options to choose from like credit cards, loans, and overdrafts.
September 7th, 2023
Over 90% of UK residents have bank accounts, and this figure is growing. With so many choices, deciding which type of bank account is right for you can be challenging. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips that can help you make the best decision for your financial needs.
November 9th, 2023
Saving money is an essential part of achieving financial security, and savings accounts are a popular tool for anyone looking to grow their wealth. Whether you're just starting to save or looking to maximise your savings, understanding the basics of savings accounts is key to reaching your goals.
July 21st, 2023
This guide will give you an in-depth explanation of what a joint account is exactly, the benefits that come with it, as well as the risks of getting one.
November 9th, 2023
Put simply, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is a compensation scheme set up by the UK government to protect customers of authorised financial services firms if their provider fails.
September 22nd, 2023
The cost of living is escalating, making it more important than ever to have saving strategies in place. Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet on minimum wage or managing your own business, you’ll need to start thinking about new ways to save money. The need of the hour is to implement creative savings ideas that can help you save money.
November 9th, 2023
Interest rates and inflation are intrinsically linked, and it’s all too easy for both to spiral out of control if they’re not kept in check. Find out more about the relationship between the two, and how both can impact your savings, your mortgage, and your pension.
November 9th, 2023

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    Credit helps UK startups manage their costs and scale. Business credit cards can be a great option if you own a promising startup. Your startup can access low-interest-rate business credit cards even without a credit history.
    March 20th, 2024
  • Best Business Credit Cards in the UK for November 2024
    A business credit card could help your business with a variety of goals. Whether you want to borrow flexibly, issue employee cards, track expenses, or earn rewards—a business credit card could be just what you need.
    March 14th, 2024
  • Best Dollar Account for UK Residents
    There are many reasons you could benefit from having a USD account. Do you have family in the US? Or spend a lot of time there? Or do business with American people or organisations?
    February 20th, 2024
  • Best Multi-Currency Accounts UK: Top Personal & Business Accounts for 2024
    Ever found yourself out of pocket because of high currency conversion fees or volatile exchange rates? If this happens to you, then you could benefit from a UK multi-currency account.
    February 8th, 2024
  • Wise and Revolut have come to be dominant forces in the money transfer space thanks to slick apps and lower fees than high street banks. Now, Zing is aiming to challenge that dominance. It combines the smooth mobile experience and fee structure of a fintech with the experience and expertise of the HSBC Group.
    March 14th, 2024

Contributors

Idil Woodall
Idil is a writer with interests ranging from arts and politics to history and finance. She spent several years in publishing before becoming a full-time writer, and learning the inner workings of an industry she loved ignited her interest in economics. As an English graduate, she cultivated valuable research and storytelling abilities that she now applies to make complex matters accessible and understandable to many. When she’s not writing, she can be found climbing or watching a movie.