Also known as: Starling Bank; Starling
Starling Bank Ltd is a UK digital challenger bank founded in 2014 by Anne Boden, fully licensed in 2016. Headquartered in London. The first app-only bank in the UK to turn a profit (2020). Raman Bhatia appointed CEO in 2023. FCA issued a Final Notice in October 2024 (£28.98m fine for financial sanctions screening failures 2019–2023).
Want to feel clearer about your money?
Ask Fin gives you simple tools for budgeting, spotting savings, checking possible benefit areas, exploring income ideas and building better money habits. General guidance only — not regulated advice.
Start with Ask Fin — £4.99/monthMain products and services
Personal current accounts; joint accounts; savings spaces; overdrafts; business current accounts; EUR and USD accounts; Engine by Starling (B2B banking-as-a-service); payment services
Trading names and group notes
App-only bank, no physical branches. Approximately 4.5 million personal customers and 500,000 business accounts as of 2025. Engine by Starling (B2B banking-as-a-service platform) is a growing revenue stream. FCA Final Notice October 2024: £28.98m fine for financial crime/sanctions screening failures. Confirmation statement February 2026 on record at Companies House.Review scores are third-party public indicators only. They are not proof of FCA compliance, product quality, or suitability for your circumstances.
Trustpilot
4.1
45000 reviews
App Store
4.8
Google Play
4.7
Other review and social proof
Which? Customer Score: 79%; Smart Money People: 4.3/5; Which? Recommended Provider historically; FSCS protected deposits up to £85,000; multiple awards for business banking
Overall public sentiment
Good on Trustpilot (4.1/5, Great). Customers value business banking features, instant notifications, and app usability. Some negative reviews relate to account freezes and the 2024 FCA fine. Overall sentiment strongly positive, particularly among business customers.
Review sources
Ask Fin gives you simple money tools for budgeting, spotting savings, checking possible benefit areas and building better money habits. General guidance only — not regulated financial advice.
Start with Ask Fin£4.99/month. Cancel anytime.