Starling Bank pooped on by a gang of mangy seagulls

EarthBoy

I think vertical cards were just a fad.  Lloyds has already gone back to horizontal ones.

Desmond_Hume

I’m sure when they went vertical the reason was given as that the way we use cards has changed (tapping or inserting into the bottom edge of a chip and pin machine). Having the card oriented vertical meant the branding was the correct way around. 

Personally, I couldn’t give a monkeys which way it is. 

EarthBoy

Desmond_Hume said:

I’m sure when they went vertical the reason was given as that the way we use cards has changed (tapping or inserting into the bottom edge of a chip and pin machine). Having the card oriented vertical meant the branding was the correct way around. 

I thinks that banks have now realised that it doesn't matter, because I've seen people tap their cards vertically, and horizontally, whichever way round the design may be.  Some people tap their cards face down, so you can't see the branding at all.  

Virgin Money's vertical debit cards have the chip at the bottom, so you have no option but to insert them into the chip and pin machine with the logo and branding upside down.  

Rob5342

Desmond_Hume said:

I’m sure when they went vertical the reason was given as that the way we use cards has changed (tapping or inserting into the bottom edge of a chip and pin machine). Having the card oriented vertical meant the branding was the correct way around. 

Personally, I couldn’t give a monkeys which way it is. 

I'd heard that but the orientation of what's on the card only really matters when it's in your purse or wallet. Most purses or wallets hold the card horizontally so it makes sense to put the text horizontally on the top edge so you can identify the card before you get it out. Once the card is out then most of the time you'll just tap it on the reader at 45 degrees without ever looking st it and and put away again. 

I think Starling just did it as an "ooh, look at us" thing, once others copied the novelty wore off.