I’m still happily using a legacy account for my main finances but I’m very much interested in new ways of banking.
I’m debating reopening my Monzo account. I been using Starling as a secondary account for many months. I closed down my Monzo account many months ago as I was thinking legacy bank + Starling was working fine and it does.
But many months later I still find myself missing Monzo. On paper Starling is good and does what I want. But something about Monzo, the community, the culture or heart that I just don’t get from Starling. I can’t explain it. Logically my current setup works fine. But there been a few discussions on here of heart vs head in relation to Starling vs Monzo.
This is just me writing out loud. Anyone else reopened their account? Has a lot changed since end of last year? I don’t won’t to turn this thread into a Monzo vs Starling thing at all. But I’m just thinking out loud if should re enter the world of Monzo. I’m just not sure. I don’t dislike Starling at all and I’m not planning to switch from my main current account anytime soon. Just a few thoughts out loud.
That monthly update link is spot on. When I left a few months ago it seemed like updates were sparse because of the prepaid card. But since then I can see you have definitely speeded up the development pace. Also I really like the transparency of where things are going. I definitely missed that.
I’m assuming things like Apple Pay and joint / shared accounts are sometime in the future still?
I can see shared pots are being worked on this will be something that is appealing.
Where does Monzo stand on abroad transactions now? Some services I use e.g. web hosting are from abroad. Does Monzo charge a fee for these transactions?
Without intending to make this another boring Monzo vs starling thread - I thought it should be mentioned that Starling make it crystal clear you are not welcome back if you close an account with them and that in itself is an illustration of why one brand’s approach gains a place in people’s hearts and the other doesn’t (well, the other does for some but not the majority).
I think they told me I can’t come back within 4 years or something, almost a threat to sit back down, and they asked for all manner of ID proofs and documents that made me not be bothered to close the account and I left it dormant for almost a year.
Yeah well I’m not planning to shut Starling yet. I like to see where both banks go. Starling or Monzo are not viable options for me to switch fully yet. But the idea of you not allowed to come back is an interesting policy. Obviously they can do what they want. But it gives a feeling of if you leave us we don’t want you back.
But this could open a massive debate on here. We don’t need yet another Monzo v starling debate. Choose what you like. both can “win”.
as I was thinking legacy bank + Starling was working fine and it does.
I’m just not sure. I don’t dislike Starling at all and I’m not planning to switch from my main current account anytime soon. Just a few thoughts out loud. 
