I’ve applied for early access and been approved so once I get my passport and do the ID check I’ll try and post some screenshots of what the app is like. Card looks decent as well.
TBH, looks like a very similar concept to Algbra and Zero and their claim they’re ethical and ‘more than a bank’.
Maybe one for the card collectors.
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Depends how many people want shaira compliant finance. Lloyds discontinued their Islamic accounts quite a while ago. And there’s still quite a few actual Shaira compliant banks in the UK as well.
I’m getting a card out of it so I don’t particularly care tbh
Well people, including me, said that about Algbra and yet suprisingly they’re still going.
Who comes up with these silly names? Algbra; Kestrl
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Hold on - so you’ve applied for ‘Early Access’ which would imply it’s not generally launched yet, but they also claim they won the ‘Fintech for Good Award Money 20/20’ in 2024?
So, they won an award 2 years before they launched? Something seems a bit fishy to be honest….
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Flashy website and the app looks interesting visually but No for me.
Looking into this card. They seem to be aimed at Muslims.
Their Linkedin says
“Kestrl is a service that helps Muslims to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs. We do this with our Consumer App and our Software Service for Banks.”
Trying to make a new Islamic Bank in the UK. There are a few floating around but many dont offer Debit cards mostly just savings accounts and mortgages.
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The only UK Bank I can think of is Al Rayan bank. I’m sure there’s others - I think BLME does something. Most are HNW clients though and wealth management.
I only want the card cuz I think it looks fantastic. Unfortunately I’ve been pulled for manual review so we shall see in a day or two 
Gatehouse Bank also is a Islamic Bank in the UK
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Very basic app. And on Android it is extremely laggy for some reason. You also have to deposit £100 to order the debit card 
As long as I can take it out and the card is free.
Do they have any referral programs?
You can instantly take out the £100, and yes card is fully free. It says withdrawals via FPS can take 1-2 working days, but mine completed in like 30 seconds.
I didn’t use the open banking integration to add money, but I suspect thats what the integration with TrueLayer is, like T212.
It looks like the early adopter cards have the Arabic letter alif (A) on them:
It’s backed by Maybank who are a Malaysian bank with an office in the City and a logo that looks pleasingly like 80s Midland:
It won’t last.
Not something I’ll be bothering with but I do really like the card design. Eye catching but very very nicely done (IMO).
Twts
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I’m not recommending anyone get the account unless you only want the card. App is super laggy. And there’s currently no features, although it seems they’re planning on adding some sort of interest thing, and an open banking connection (no thanks - I ain’t sharing my Monzo deets with sketchy EMIs)
Edit: the hell? In my screen recording it’s showing as smooth. Yet on the actual screen I can literally see the frames. And it’s 100% not an issue with my phone as everything else runs smoothly.