Main account is currently with First Direct - I switched to them from Lloyds after getting my pre-paid Monzo card. I have a Monzo current account card now but won’t be switching over just yet because the First Direct account has benefits which are still useful to me. Instead I will be transfering a portion of my salary to my Monzo card every month to use as ‘spending money’. When the Monzo marketplace is more fully developed I’ll reevalutate the situation - so probably looking about a year down the line.
I keep things a bit complicated! I have RBS for my salary and household bills that earn cash back. FD because I got a switching bonus for joining and access to the regular saver. Nationwide for the refer a friend incentive (already done 3 out of 5 recommendations that i can do this year) their regular saver and in credit interest. Tesco bank for the in credit interest. TSB for in credit interest and DD cash back. Starling for daily budgeted spend and Monzo for weekly food shops. I think thats all… theres probably another that I have forgotten about 
I doubt I will switch but that may change in the future!
1 Like
Appreciated, thank you
Metro Bank and maybe.
I have savings accounts with Metro that I would need to find a new home for. Not an impossible task but it’s very convenient to have everything under one roof.
1 Like
In my opinion, the Starling interface is generally not as well thought-through as Monzo’s, and I don’t like the design/how it displays things as much. There’s a lot more friction to using the app: need a passcode or TouchID just to open it, slower to launch, lands you on a useless “Spent today” pie chart, so you have to swipe up to see transactions every time, etc. But some of the CA functionality is slightly ahead of Monzo.
Personally, I wouldn’t go to a lot of effort to run the Starling app if it’s just to try it out, I think Monzo has a more solid foundation and better thought in terms of design, both the big and small details. But it depends a lot on what your priorities are for a current account.
6 Likes
I’ve had brief looks at Revolut and Loot which both work with root and it’s not great for them for quite a few reasons already which I won’t go into.
I’m very happy with the smoothness of the Monzo experience so far and also even with this basic preview it’s still a fair bit ahead in terms ofease of use like you say.
Thanks for the response.
6 Likes
The votes are back! Woot 
Just curious (never been a student in the UK), what exactly is locking you into your account for 6 years? Is there something preventing you from just going to Monzo or a legacy bank and opening a new account?
1 Like
The fact that my student loans go to that account, the fear that something will go massively wrong if I attempt to change anything, the benefits that I’d lose if I changed, and (soon) what I owe HSBC already.
1 Like
Can confirm: SFE pay into Monzo accounts 
1 Like
My plan has been to switch one of my accounts to Monzo but the indication that ATM fees will apply to foreign transactions makes the switch MUCH less attractive. I have a credit card that gives me fee-free foreign transactions. The pre-paid Monzo has been brilliant for me to make small cash withdrawals and avoid haggling in exchange places or on the street.
So, right now, I’m biding my time to see what the actual terms are and then I’ll make a decision. Right now I’d say that I’m on 30% likely to switch to a Monzo current account.
3 Likes
The Monzo card will continue to give you fee-free foreign transactions in shops, etc. It is only cash withdrawal that will be charged for. Can you really withdraw cash on your credit card without paying interest? Most credit cards charge interest on cash withdrawals immediately (as they are considered ‘cash advances’), you don’t have the month grace period to pay it off like you do with purchases.
4 Likes
I will switch in due time! 
most of my stuff including my salary has been paid in Monzo!
1 Like
Currently have 3 High Street banks:
Metro will regretfully shut.
Halifax will maintain purely for the Clarity CC zero fee foreign ATM withdrawals as Monzo are withdrawing this benefit.
Nationwide keep as the FlexPlus account charge of £156 per annum covers car breakdown, travel insurance and phone insurance plus free ATM cash.
I pay an additional £237 for the travel insurance but given for a 70+ couple with pre-existing conditions wanting trips up to 60 days in length alternative quotes are circa £950 it’s a no brainer.
I’m using both Monza CA and Starling at present. Will review and chose one in 2018 when the full versions are available. Currently like the Monzo ethos but have found the Starling version slightly more usable.
2 Likes
Wouldn’t move as I have perks with current banks.
-Free annual travel insurance at no cost .
-Regular fixed savers @= 5%
-monthly rewards (£3-£10)
Everything with little hurdles to complete for the gains . But nothing too straining.
2 Likes
I think you may have misunderstood me… I have a Halifax Clarity Credit Card. Transactions in shops, restaurants etc are entirely free of charge so the same as the Current account debit card. ATM transactions incur no charges but, as you note, do accrue interest. But the Mozon current account could still be more expensive. With the Credit Card if I draw cash from an ATM I pay money into the Halifax account immediately to balance the amount drawn. Last time I did this I paid 20p interest so cheaper than the Monzo current account fees are predicted to be. So, at the moment the pre-paid card is the best deal available to me. I’m waiting to see how the current account charges pan out - hence my assessment that I more likely to keep my existing bank account than to switch. But we’ll see…
3 Likes
Wow. I want a credit card like that. I’d buy lots of shiny tech knowing there’s no charge 
4 Likes
If only but at least the card fees are zero 
Lloyds platinum account here, ill probably keep it, unless Monzo offer Phone / Travel / Breakdown for 2 people for £17 or less!
Nationwide offer that for less than £17. It’s £13 per month, or £6.50 each if you use a joint account.
1 Like