Anyone tried Starling Bank?

mikeeboy

Has anyone used their card at an ATM abroad? I used it in Zante at an ATM that appeared to be hosted by an official bank but got charged a few euros for taking money out. (I'm quite experienced at that and know to take the Euro option)

Up until then I had been using the prepaid currency cards (Caxton, Monzo, Revolut) and not had any charges allthough that would have been in Spain, it was the first time in Greece.

Is it a Greek thing or the Starling card?

eDicky

mikeeboy wrote: »

Is it a Greek thing or the Starling card?

It sounds like a charge by the ATM, Starling has no fee.

mikeeboy

After posting that, I did a little search.... it's a Greek thing since July 2018

https://news.gtp.gr/2018/08/29/greek-banks-charge-foreign-card-users-extra-fee-atms/

jcass1

Its a good utility tool for discretionary spending... don't see myself ever putting my salary in there...

Limited in customisation which also seems a shame for an app based product.

Saving spaces are great though.

wen1234

I just started an account with them. The checks went through fine. Transferred money, got the debit card, and now all of a sudden they decided to freeze the account. Ok so i did transfer a relatively large sum, but it’s for my own personal use. They emailed me to ask me what my intent was, which was well for personal expenses. Then they asked me why was the payment not to my benefit. Wth does that mean? How am i not benefitting from the account when it’s my own money? Can someone enlighten me why the hell this is happening?

[Deleted User]

wen1234 wrote: »

I just started an account with them. The checks went through fine. Transferred money, got the debit card, and now all of a sudden they decided to freeze the account. Ok so i did transfer a relatively large sum, but it’s for my own personal use. They emailed me to ask me what my intent was, which was well for personal expenses. Then they asked me why was the payment not to my benefit. Wth does that mean? How am i not benefitting from the account when it’s my own money? Can someone enlighten me why the hell this is happening?

Because you've opened an account an immediately transferred a large sum of money into it.

Go through the process they need you to follow to prove the money is yours and not laundered etc. and all should be good in the end

Potbellypig

I opened a Starling account last month and plan to transfer over my disposable income for June into it tomorrow, leaving my direct debit/standing order bills in my main account for now.

Reading the last few pages of this thread, I'm a bit concerned about the pending transactions thing, but willing to give it a go. Is there anyway that I can add what I spend in cash to anywhere on the app? For example, if I give my daughter a few quid to go the shop, or go somewhere that doesn't accept card.

penners324

Been using Starling as my main account for 3 months or so.
Everything is great.
Pending transactions are very useful including the DDs due to go out the following day.

Have used the card in Sri Lanka, Barbados and Germany in the last 9 months, no problems at all.

d123

wen1234 wrote: »

I just started an account with them. The checks went through fine. Transferred money, got the debit card, and now all of a sudden they decided to freeze the account. Ok so i did transfer a relatively large sum, but it’s for my own personal use. They emailed me to ask me what my intent was, which was well for personal expenses. Then they asked me why was the payment not to my benefit. Wth does that mean? How am i not benefitting from the account when it’s my own money? Can someone enlighten me why the hell this is happening?

How large was this “relatively large sum”? Large enough to trigger AML?

wen1234

Hi i'm a bit weary of sharing such information, so lets say between 800-1.2k GBP. Would that be a cause for concern?