Main Joint Current Account - Challenger Banks?

TractorFactor

Does anyone use one of the challenger / app only / no branches banks as their main joint current account?

With the high street banks flagging on interest and such, there seems to be no real clear "you should have this bank as your main current account".

Just wondering on other people's opinions.

WillPS

Had both Monzo and Starling Joint accounts. They were both fine. There might be certain features missing - Starling Joint accounts lacked virtual cards last time I checked, but all the 'core' functionality is there with each and works well.

I agree there's no clear leader - for me that means that I don't really have a main account, my fiancee and I have about a dozen accounts which money passes through and/or my payments are drawn from, from which we earn over £50/month + free Disney+ and 2 magazine subs via Club Lloyds.

jbrassy

I don't have a joint account, but my main bank account has been First Direct for quite a few years. I have no issues with it and would recommend. If you encounter any issues, you can ring them 24/7 365 days a year. I've never felt the need to use a branch. On the rare occasions I need to pay in cash, I use the post office.

[Deleted User]

The fintech banks are overrated IMO.

Monzo have no branches but can't do a basic thing like cheque deposits via the app and it charges for cash deposits. Starling is more functional but its only real USP (free overseas usage) has been matched by First Direct.

I use Chase as secondary account as it gives 1% back on most spending, free overseas usage including it's US sister bank's ATMs in the USA.  I was staying in Manhattan a few weeks ago and a lobby full of US Chase ATMs was literally round the corner. When it develops further, I could be persuaded to make it my main current account but currently happy with my HSBC/Chase combo.

penners324

Use Starling for our joint account.

Best account both of us have had.

And they do have virtual cards for joint accounts now.

Plus we go abroad occasionally so no fees on debit card payments 

penners324

[Deleted User] said:

The fintech banks are overrated IMO.

Monzo have no branches but can't do a basic thing like cheque deposits via the app and it charges for cash deposits. Starling is more functional but its only real USP (free overseas usage) has been matched by First Direct.

I use Chase as secondary account as it gives 1% back on most spending, free overseas usage including it's US sister bank's ATMs in the USA.  I was staying in Manhattan a few weeks ago and a lobby full of US Chase ATMs was literally round the corner. When it develops further, I could be persuaded to make it my main current account but currently happy with my HSBC/Chase combo.

Starling's app is vastly superior to First Direct

[Deleted User]

penners324 said:

[Deleted User] said:

The fintech banks are overrated IMO.

Monzo have no branches but can't do a basic thing like cheque deposits via the app and it charges for cash deposits. Starling is more functional but its only real USP (free overseas usage) has been matched by First Direct.

I use Chase as secondary account as it gives 1% back on most spending, free overseas usage including it's US sister bank's ATMs in the USA.  I was staying in Manhattan a few weeks ago and a lobby full of US Chase ATMs was literally round the corner. When it develops further, I could be persuaded to make it my main current account but currently happy with my HSBC/Chase combo.

Starling's app is vastly superior to First Direct

That's your opinion - I'm never been massively impressed with the Starling app.

Starling's main USP (free overseas usage) has gone plus FD also provides a decent switching incentive and interest free overdraft. Overseas HSBC machines are also likely surcharge free for FD cards unlike Starling.

TractorFactor

[Deleted User] said:

penners324 said:

[Deleted User] said:

Starling's main USP (free overseas usage) has gone

I'm not sure that's it's main USP...

[Deleted User]

Recently moved over to using a joint Revolut account as the main one, paying mortgage utilities etc. We already used the group bill for credits/debits so brought it all in house. No issues so far!

ZeroSum

Depends what you mean by 'main bank' as I don't really have one as such. Although the one that I have my salary paid into is my hub account. Personally I'd keep the 'main' one as a high Street one just incase you have issues & can visit branch.

After recently getting married, my OH is now effectively locked out of her chase account until new ID arrives. However its catch 22 as passport & drivers license require bank statements to prove your using new name. Banks with branches will happily allow you to pop in with marriage certificate. So it could be weeks & their customer service just won't budge on the issue.

Marchitiello

[Deleted User] said:

penners324 said:

[Deleted User] said:

The fintech banks are overrated IMO.

Monzo have no branches but can't do a basic thing like cheque deposits via the app and it charges for cash deposits. Starling is more functional but its only real USP (free overseas usage) has been matched by First Direct.

I use Chase as secondary account as it gives 1% back on most spending, free overseas usage including it's US sister bank's ATMs in the USA.  I was staying in Manhattan a few weeks ago and a lobby full of US Chase ATMs was literally round the corner. When it develops further, I could be persuaded to make it my main current account but currently happy with my HSBC/Chase combo.

Starling's app is vastly superior to First Direct

That's your opinion - I'm never been massively impressed with the Starling app.

Starling's main USP (free overseas usage) has gone plus FD also provides a decent switching incentive and interest free overdraft. Overseas HSBC machines are also likely surcharge free for FD cards unlike Starling.

I am with you on Monzo/Starling and as I travel to the USA often, I find Chase a godsend, but just want to point out that HSBC does not offer the same “international ATM benefits” as Chase or even Santander do (Santander was in fact my option for the East Coast of USA and still is for Spain and South America)