I want to switch to starling bank?

[limecola]

I am looking to switch my bank account to starling. I don't have a job but do get money in my account each month from DH. I also have savings of about £10,000. I think I prefer to have all my money in the same place so would like it if starling had a savings account I could use as well so I can quickly transfer funds from one account to the other.

I also know they have pots but I'm not sure if they are just off shoots of your current account or if they are part of a savings account?

I haven't switched my bank account for 20 years so unsure of the processes and how to switch everything over.

Also can you add the starling card to google pay?

I dont know about starling but I did a switch last year to Lloyds and it was excellent. I used the information from martin lewis website to find the best bank account for me and then just applied. It was very easy.
What i do is have all my money payed into my Lloyds account then move some across to my chase account for everyday spending as I get 1% cashback (plus my chase saver because they have a better interst rate). Each month I pay from one account to the other and back again to make sure I've put in enough money but that's as far as any effort goes.

Starling has a savings account you can open and it is easy to switch money between the two

@Backtothe90ties Thanks that is great to know.

Yes Starling have a savings account and it’s easy to move money between it and current. And it works on google pay.

Starling is brilliant. Very easy to use, no fee debit card when used on Europe. They have a thing called 'Spaces' where you can set separate pots for whatever you like. One is an easy saver account. Instantly transfer to and from your current account, just under 4% interest, paid monthly, dead easy to set up direct debit or transfers to other accounts. I love it. We had a Virgin One account before, and when we opened that in the 90s it seemed to be streets ahead of other current accounts and mortgages. Well, Starling feels like it's streets ahead of other accounts now to us. The only thing you need to keep an eye on is the amount of interest you get, so you don't exceed the allowed tax free limit of £1,000pa. If you don't exceed £10k and don't have taxed savings elsewhere, you will be ok. Oh, and it was so easy to open the account too.

Oh, there is no cheque book, which is not a problem. You can deposit cash through the post office, but there is a maximum limit per year, that you can deposit, £1,000 I think, so if you deposit a lot of cash each year, it may not be for you.

It all sounds really good thanks, I don't think I need a check book or to deposit a lot of cash. I think the easy saver would be ok for me as well as that percentage is about the same as what I'd get where I am.

OP Starling and other app-based banks have been known to freeze people's accounts. Consider keeping some of your money elsewhere just in case.

Why Starling in particular? Have you looked at Chase?

Starling, Chase, Monzo, Kroo are much of a muchness but with subtle differences that may or may not be important.

I keep my 'spending money' in a Kroo account, which pays 2.9% interest. Proper savings are in a cash ISA that pays just over 4% I think.

Also the Starling app is awful compared to Chase. You can earn interest at other banks.
Can you guess I just switched from Starling to Chase?

I want the pots, my friend has starling and raves about it but in reality I'm happy to go with any reputable bank that is safe and has the pots / spaces and hopefully pays interest on those saving spaces attached to the current account. I will look at all the possibilities mentioned. Also though as I don't work and don't have a wage I'm not sure all banks would take me but I think starling would.

Yikes, why? I will look into this for sure.

Monzo’s instant access saver is 3.5% interest for me right now.

Starling was fined £29m by the Financial Conduct Authority last year for failing to screen customers properly. The bank then overreacted by restricting or closing the accounts of some real customers. I'm not saying you shouldn't use them, just would advise you to keep some money elsewhere.

Chase is 4.75% on savings for a year (then 2.5%) if you have a current account, which has 1% cashback on some items. It's a soft credit check. No idea if it has "spaces".

Yes, I've had a Starling account for a few years now. Very easy transition from NatWest. Have had no issues with them.