Starling Bank

Starling Bank, branchless digital banking in the United Kingdom

Starling Bank is a British banking institution that operates exclusively through its mobile app, with no physical branch network. Founded in the United Kingdom, it presents itself as the country's first digital bank and has more than four million accounts and a workforce of thousands of employees spread across four offices in London, Cardiff, Southampton and Manchester.

Account types and banking services

The institution offers four main types of account: personal, business, joint and multi-currency, plus an account for under-16s with a free debit card managed from the adult's account. The personal account is aimed at organising spending and building financial habits, while the business account charges no monthly fees and offers UK-based support 24 hours a day, every day.

Financial management tools in the app

The app includes features for separating money into Spaces within the app, allowing funds to be set aside for specific goals separately from the available balance. From these Spaces, virtual debit cards can be created with their own number, CVV and expiry date, designed to limit spending to what has been budgeted. The Bills Manager automates bill payments from a dedicated Space and shows what is due, what has been paid and what is left over. The AI feature provides instant answers and personalised insights into spending habits.

Savings products

The savings range includes a Fixed Saver account, with a fixed rate and 3.70% AER/gross interest; an Easy Saver with a bonus rate of 4.00% AER (3.92% gross, variable), which includes a fixed bonus of 1.50% AER for the first 12 months and allows withdrawals at any time; and a Flexible Cash ISA with tax-free interest of 2.50% AER (2.46% tax-free, variable). Interest is paid monthly on the Easy Saver and Flexible Cash ISA, and at maturity on the Fixed Saver. These products are subject to eligibility and require a Starling personal current account.

Security and protection of funds

The institution highlights the use of facial and fingerprint recognition, as well as AI-based tools, including a fraud detection feature that allows users to upload a screenshot so the system can flag possible signs of a scam, such as generic photos or unusually low prices. Eligible deposits are protected up to £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Customer support is provided in the UK, 24 hours a day, via live chat or phone.

Corporate structure and ownership

Starling Bank Limited, which trades as Starling, is registered in England and Wales with number 09092149 and is headquartered at 5th Floor London Fruit And Wool Exchange, 1 Duval Square, London. It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority with registration number 730166. The institution states that it is independent of other banks and its shareholders include current and former employees, global private investor Harry McPike, Chrysalis Investments Ltd, Fidelity, Railpen, Qatar Investment Authority, Millennium Management and Goldman Sachs.

Sustainability and commitment to equality

The company presents itself as a digital bank with sustainability criteria: branchless operation, largely paperless processes and debit cards made with 95% recycled plastic. It states that it launched the UK's first Mastercard cards made from recycled plastic and funded the planting of 100,000 trees in collaboration with Trillion Trees. On equality, it states that it is the only bank in British history founded by a woman, with 43% of women in senior management roles and a target of reaching 50% by 2027. It has participated in the Women in Finance Charter for eight years and in Women in Tech for five years.

Awards and survey results

The institution presents itself as an award-winning bank with no monthly fees. As part of a regulatory requirement, an independent survey carried out in August 2026 asked approximately 1,000 customers of each of the 17 largest personal current account providers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland whether they would recommend their provider. The published results reflect the views of the customers who took part. The company also refers to the 2024 authorised push payment (APP) scam performance data and to the PSR report published in February 2026.

Location and contact

5th Floor London Fruit And Wool Exchange, 1 Duval Square, London, United Kingdom, E1 6PW