Starling Bank
Bank Starling Bank, 3rd floor, 2 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PP, United Kingdom:
220 reviews
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Address: 3rd floor, 2 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PP, United Kingdom
Website: starlingbank.com
Phone number: +44 20 7930 4450
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Latitude: 51.5199520Longitude: -0.0848105
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reviews
Barbara Cannon
I am disgusted by Starling bank. I reported fraud on my account last month hoping to be presented with options... instead, I was told that measures would be taken. This month, same thing happened by the same people. I went back to Starling & asked what had been done, & they said nothing but would send me a new card out. That was April 1st. It is now April 21st & I have no card. My wifi has been cut, my Adobe subscription has expired because I have no card to list to pay. I am a graphic designer so both of these are very crucial & I am now in a position that could lead to great financial difficulty. Everything this month is on hold & now I must pay out double in a short space of time. I tried to make a complaint and was told they are allowed 8 weeks to respond. I have tried every Avenue. On Thursday I was told a new card was being sent for next day delivery - it is now the Wednesday after. Starling have completely neglected the safety of my account & have shown no remorse or aid whilst pushing me into financial difficulty by not acting responsibly as a bank. I have no idea what else I can do. I have a family to support. Starling are a disgraceful bank with no value for customers & if I could put 0 stars, I would.
1 month ago
Pankojayfoods Sales
I have been delighted with Starling, ever since a good friend recommended them.
However, This evening, my business account which had in excess of £50000 in it, is showing that it has £0.00 in it!!!!!
I tried calling and I get a message saying they are busy and call back later, or use chat or send a message via the App - not even the option to go in a queue.
So, I tried the App and sent a message. This refused to send multiple times and had a message saying that there were connection problems. Well the problems are certainly not at my end!!!
So I tried the Chat - but it gives the message - "Sorry, we can't connect you right now. Please try again later."!!!!!!!!
In one second - my confidence in them has vanished! And so it would seem has my money!!!!!
This is absolutely inexcusable. My heart rate has increased no end and I've got nowhere after an hour of trying.
There simply seems to be no way of getting hold of them in an emergency - yet they profess to be available 24/7!!!!!
I am very stressed and extremely angry.
6 months ago
Alberto Figueroa
Waste of time! To get a sole trader account, you have to download the app and open a personal account first. Did that & waited a week for approval, then the option to open the ST account was greyed out. Apparently that means I'm not eligible. Why? They don't know. What are the criteria? They won't say. So I've wasted an hour opening and closing a current account I didn't need or want. And now my personal details and ID will reside in yet another system for 6 years. On the plus side, the guy appeared very quickly on the live chat to tell me he couldn't help and had no information, for a well-earned one star.
2 weeks ago
Ali Alrdini
I was applying for a business account but took the time to have a look at these reviews. So I have stopped my application and will look elsewhere. It is a concern that their 'support connectivity' is supposed to be first class but appears to fail when it is really needed. Having read their responses I am sure this comment will be passed to their feedback team - wow
3 weeks ago
Amanda Vines
I love this bank... no wonder why they are UKs number one app bank. I’ve never had any bad experience from them. It does exactly what it’s supposed to, with no delays in the app notifications. They even have a money saving scheme within the app, and also an over draft service which is all controlled from the app. Their rivals are no competition!
2 months ago
Naider Vec
Gee, I sure wish I could make an online payment without having to go onto your app and copy a code about 50 times because it keeps saying it's timed out. Apparently its not an issue you feel like needs to be resolved because it's still happening six months later. Shame really.
2 weeks ago
Jaimie Lafrano
After being highly recommended to use starling by my accountant I opened a business account with them 9 months ago when I started my new business to then receive a message today stating they are closing my account on June 21st with no actual reason as to why just a loose excuse that you could make up many of reasons for closing, Tried phoning to find out the actual why and was sat waiting for almost 30 minutes to speak to someone so I ended the call would not recommend to use for anyone with a small business people are trying to keep a roof over their families heads and companies like this are making that as hard as possible closing accounts so I have nowhere to bank with and keep my salaries paid unless I find somewhere.
2 months ago
Suzanne Parker
Starling Bank prides itself on being Britain's best bank and changing banking for good! I am absolutely Delighted to say that these statements are so true to who they are and what they do for the people.
As a business owner in uncertain times, Starling Bank stepped forward to ensure that businesses with scope to grow are given the opportunity to grow! Smart online system with great customer support. 10/10
Extremely delighted to be a customer and look forward to working closely and moving forward with Starling.
3 months ago
Meikos
I saw all the great reviews so thought I’d sign up for a business account, well you would of thought it was Coutts Bank the endless questions and waiting periods were ridiculous after submitting information for about 2 months I decided to cancel worst application process ever!!! Slowed down my business and to top it off they hold your information for 6 years even though I withdrew my application. Opened a Tide account in a matter of minutes such a waste of time.
2 weeks ago
James Graham
Very disappointed with this bank. They had previously been great but at a time when I actually needed some service they were awful. I had a fraudulent transaction for 1200 pounds but was on hold for 30 minutes to be cut off with a message saying that we're too busy and to call back later. I was also on webchat for 45 minutes. All in all this was a stressful time and when it comes to fraud I think there should be a dedicated line and that they employ staff to meet their demand. All in all very poor and I'm off.
2 weeks ago
MuhammadRafli
I saw the reviews and was concerned as I had a potential fraud to report (Amazon Transactions) . Tried the phone line but no answer after 10 mins. I gave the on line chat a go and got help within a couple of minutes, the person then kept online as we went through it all and I must admit she was very helpful. To be safe card cancelled (my choice) and new one being issued.
1 month ago
Jasmine Moguel
Went to open up a sole trader account as someone else who I know who's self-employed recommended them. Did what I needed and opened up my personal account, got accepted for it today so went to set up my sole trader account and it says I don't meet the criteria? I tweeted them asking if they had stopped doing them and the reply basically said I wasn't accepted, asked how when I can apply for a limited company one and haven't been able to provide details on my business in the first place. They then replied saying they couldn't speak further on the matter on social media and that was it. So I ring them and ask why as a self-employed person (who's been trading for 3 years now, going into my 4th tax year) I don't meet the criteria. Waited around 12-13 minutes to get through, the man was as helpful as possible but didn't seem to be able to provide a proper answer himself. Simply said the criteria is based on credit checks and the nature of the business but I haven't been able to even present this information as all it asked for was my driving license and a video of me to prove it's me. I know my credit is perfect which means to me it's the nature of my business yet I'm in the same business as the person who told me about them (we're tattooists). I have been trading for going on 4 years, I buy from suppliers, have a card company to do my card payments, do my invoices and tax and yet still don't meet the criteria for a sole trader account. He did say they were hoping to expand the criteria in future. I asked if I could simply close the account as I had no use for it then and he walked me through it and said you can't open another one for at least 12 months once you've closed one. Just seems to me that no one seems to have an idea how this works and I don't understand that as a sole trader I can't open a sole trader account but I'm given the chance to open a limited company one. Reading the reviews here it seems everyone's having issues with the business one so I'll just go else where
1 month ago
carolyn miller
Was gifted a small sum of money from my dad for my house deposit. They blocked my account and cited security concerns and asked for proof. I sent them proof and have messaged 6 times (no reply) and rang and they still haven't sorted it out. It's been almost 2 days and I have no access to my own money and unable to make payments. Absolutely shocking customer service.
Give Starling a miss and go Monzo — there's a reason why there's so many 1 star reviews for Starling. Once my account is unlocked I'll be switching to Monzo.
2 weeks ago
David Edwards
All the good reviews are obviously fake!! I wish I read the reviews before I opened an account with this computer bank!! They have so much negative reviews which I was not aware of, I wish I checked when I opened my account 2 years ago. They have restricted my account and asked about a transaction which I gave full details about but they don’t reply. They refuse to tell me how long it will take for them to review and give access to my account. So they expect me to sit and wait with no money until they decide to review my account. They’re not allowing any of my direct debits to go out, nothing at all. So I’m going to go in arrears with my payments and I can’t pay my rent. I haven’t even got money to buy food, they told me to go to a charity to get food!!! We are in a middle of a pandemic and they are not giving my access to my own money. This bank is disgraceful they don’t care about their customers, I am going to get a solicitor involved so I will sue the bank!! I have messaged on the chat thousands of times, all they say to me is that they can’t do anything. I called and the rude manager shut the phone on my face!! They don’t even know the definition of customer service. It looks like they restrict peoples account to steal their money, they rob you. DO NOT OPEN A ACCOUNT WITH THEM. I think we need to all report this bank!
2 months ago
Michael Bishop
LOUSY! Wanted an account as a sole trader. Couldn't do it online last year (2020), so called. Told they didn't do one, but I could use a personal account. So I did that. Only today to get a message - addressed to my business account telling me my account is going to be closed. It will be closed in 30 days, no explanation, and the email said customer services wouldn't be able to answer as to why. I phone only to be told I was given the wrong information, it must have been during the couple of months we withdrew the sole trader account. You are breaching the terms if you use a personal account for business. But YOUR employee told me, I could do that!!!! So why couldn't they just tell me that, instead of the cloak and dagger email I got QUOTE "Information has come to light which is of concern to Starling Bank, as such we are closing your account".
Customer Services couldn't even tell me which account it related to, couldn't see anything on the account!! 18 minutes on hold, and more time talking to someone that sounded like they were reading the script from a screen. Not even a freephone number.
Finally got an email back with an apology for the mix up, it was relating to the personal account. Bit late now, emptied them both and told customer services to close them NOW, not in 30 days!!
Where the hell does a bank get off telling you that if you haven't emptied the account to ZERO when they close it, any credit balance will be donated to the banks charity!!! WHO'S money do you think you are playing with to set terms like that??
Had several queries and NEVER been able to get through on the phone, I think it must have been a miracle that I got through today!
I would NEVER recommend this bank.
1 month ago
matthias fikre
Don't use them for a business account. They don't make it clear online but they are only able to accept payments from UK companies in £. They offer you the option to set up $ account but this can only accept payments from US accounts. They lost £9,000 in payments and refuse to assist us in locating the money they rejected, this could ruin start-up businesses and they don't care at all.
1 month ago
Wayne Doyle
We wanted a business account for a new start-up venture. The process was nothing but painful, and the service was absolutely terrible. Certainly not award-winning from our side, and will ensure that Starling gets no recommendations from our business communities. Stick to proper banks with professional bank services! Appalling.
1 month ago
Ani Debacker
I wish a choice of 0 Zero Star for them!
I’m banking with starling for 2 years+ yesterday I had a bill to pay and one good deal to close by buying and selling a vehicle. But unfortunately because of a very poor service of starling the money was sat on my account and don’t let me pay. I called the customer service answer no longer then 15min “with is great if sorve the problem, but unfortunately they said will passing for the payment team to contact me, never happens! I called again and the same! Very disappointed. I’ve lose the deal and the opportunity, 2k of lost by banking with a bank who don’t know they main role!
1 month ago
T Bone
I am very happy with Starlings efficiency. Very user friendly. Definitely 5 Stars.
3 weeks ago
omar faruk
I applied for a business account with Starling Bank and after 3 weeks of unanswered or ignored emails and then requests for more information 3 times I gave up, having been in business for 38 years in both the United Kingdom and the United States I I was not willing to put up with this ineptitude at processing a simple request. I DO however highly recommend Tide Business Bank, after Starling "messed" around for almost 3 weeks, I decided to apply to Tide and I had my new account accepted and opened in under 20 minutes, with exactly the same details. If you want a business account with no hassle and easy application process, do yourself a favour use Tide Bank.
4 months ago
Victor Gomes
The worst bank in the United Kingdom. Staff are ineffectual, unhelpful and don't even possess a good standard of written English. They seem to lack policies and rather just make it up as they go along. It's all fine and dandy whilst everything is going well for you and you can just use the app to manage the account yourself. However, if you ever need any help with anything, which requires you to contact them, they are absolutely useless. I have requested a switch to another bank and can't wait for it to complete, so I hopefully never have to speak to Starling again. As other reviewers have said, most of the staff are surly in their communications with customers. It's like texting someone that doesn't particularly like you. They want to be a real competitor to the more established banks, yet their behaviour is nothing short of amateur. Seriously, just read their responses to the reviews on here. Notice that the staff they employ to respond to these reviews (and represent their brand) do not even possess a good standard of written English. This would sound like I'm being unkind, however do you really want to leave your money with a team of people whom are either uneducated, or just sloppy? - first impressions count after all. By comparison, would you want to eat at a restaurant after seeing the chef use the toilet and not wash his hands? I know they are trying to be upcoming and so their communications will always be more informal than other banks and I have no issue with this. However, I'd still expect the people looking after my hard earned money to be able to string a coherent sentence together.
3 months ago
Jennifer Runyon
It was very easy to open a sole trader bank account (you need to open a personal account first). The ID checks and verification was not difficult. I love the spaces feature where you can save money in different "folders". This will be very helpful when I have to reserve earnings to pay the taxman instead of being shocked by the tax bill at the end of the year. Overall I am very pleased. The debit cards that came in the post were very stylish, and yes that matters, too , because it indicates that the company is very forward looking and do their market research well which I take to mean they listen. Having said that, as I'm a new customer I haven't had the experience yet of needing to talk to their customer support. But honestly I was on the phone for hours for my current high street bank, so at worst it will be the same at this point.
3 months ago
Matthew Stork
I’ve tried to open an account for my 25yr old daughter with Down Syndrome. I’m her official appointee and I look after her finances. Starling are insisting in her having a passport or driving license and a bill in her name as proof of ID and address. She lives with us, doesn’t pay bills and doesn’t have a passport nor driving license. I asked if I could show another form of ID for her but they refused!!!
They are discriminating against her as a disabled person by not allowing a different type of proof.
I’ve explained this to them but I’ve now been ignored.
Absolutely disgusted with them as a company and I will be taking this further!
I wanted an account for her for me to be able to pay in birthday/Xmas present cheques online that she gets. We are shielding so not wanting to go to our usual bank who don’t offer a check paying in online service. Besides which, our local branch is 20 miles away from home.
3 months ago
L T
Tried to open a business bank account, was told it would be really quick and simple. After 2 weeks I was told I needed to submit more details, which I did. After another 2 weeks told I need to submit even more details; none of which weren't relevant to my business. Phone number is just an auto reply and auto hang-up, on-line chat takes 1+ hours to get hold of someone, which if you don't reply immediately they close the chat and you have to queue again.
Tried another bank, Tide, and it was around 2 minutes from downloading the app to having a bank account authorised and opened.
2 months ago
Maria Ayala
I have attempted to join this bank twice, months apart and I found them a total shambles. They asked me for all the id and a video all which I done, then you don't hear from them, they never answer their phone which cost the caller money to listen continuously to some pathetic tune, would not bother again PATHETIC!!
3 weeks ago
Alicia Anderson
We are a small and very active business and this means that we need to be efficient in all that we do. Starling Bank was our first option when we decided to switch the previous big-slow-and-indifferent-well-established bank. We never looked back and we were more than amazed that banking can be actually easy, secure and unobstructive. We have received great support for all our queries and more from Starling Bank. In essence they are more human and closer to the small business than the banks that have numerous branches.
Alin@FinWood
4 months ago
Alejandra Elejalde
Great forward thinking app, helpful staff and generally just awesome.
2 weeks ago
Tony Kilic
DO NOT BANK WITH STARLING. Twice I have tried to receive payment from a friend and twice it has been nothing but hassle. “Faster payments” that’s not true, you would be quicker sending a cheque by pigeon. I do not understand how they have been allowed to handle people’s money. Use a proper high street bank and stay well clear of this useless so called bank.
1 month ago
Josiah Gummeson
I have tried many times to verify my account with Starling Bank, but the Video of you kept failing to connect to server. Contacted customer service on the chat on the website, but they refused to answer a simple question of " If the video of you" fails is my account not open. The bot/operator asked me to call. Not acceptable, should of asked for the account number and called me to open it as i shouldn't be going out of my way, they should be. 1 star is too generous.
UPDATE...Amazing what a bad review does..2 weeks i had been trying to verify my account..When someone tells a live chat operator that they are having trouble verifying their account...don't ask a very irate customer to call, offer to call them ASAP instead of following an inflammatory script.....hopefully this will be the one and only issue with Starling.
2 months ago
Mark Silverman
Brilliant and very easy to use bank. Used for my business and amazing so decided to open a personal account with them now.
1 month ago
souransh singh
I can’t praise you enough guys! Awesome job!
You are prompt and efficient!
Easy access to all my info, the app is on a brilliant platform and easy to use.
All you need from a bank.
My fiancé and I are very pleased with the service you offer.
4 months ago
Glenn Anderson
What a joke, spent 45 minutes answering 100s of irrelevant questions, taking photos, videos, proof of address, business address, business certificate, phone, email, and after all of that "we need to see a copy of your invoice". This is a new business, where am I going to get an invoice. I think they pay professional reviewers to improve their rating. A complete waste of time and now they have all my data stored which probably end up in some Nigerian "businessman" hands. I am furious with this bank
1 month ago
Stephen Huber
I've sent off all the information to open a simple business account to have rent paid into it from my tenant and so far it's taken three days and I've still not had a response to confirm what is happening with the account. I've been on hold for nearly 30 minutes, waiting for someone to answer the phone to update me on this and all they say is that 'they are receiving a high volume of applications so the team will attend to it when they can.' So far the service and account opening process has been dreadful.
2 months ago
Ahmed Serag
I opened a small business account few month ago and the process took some time,but was successful.In other words, I am very happy that they gave me the opportunity to join them.I have read many negative comments and my personal opinion that many of them are not real.
I hope to have a long experience with them
4 months ago
Sarah Owens
Tried setting a business account up through the switch process from RBS scheme. Wouldn't accept documentation as address is different from from my business address. Have emailed them several times with no response along with trying to phone them. Therefore I will not be going with them, if they can't be bothered contacting me why should I give them my business.
Andy
2 months ago
Chundra Wayne
At first they were great..... but over time the service has declined massively.
The banking app itself is flawless and the services offered on par with other banks.
But if you need to contact them over the phone expect to wait 30 minutes before being cut off and told to call back later, if you try chatting via the banking app then expect a similar delay of 30+ minutes.
Also other issues, if you notice a suspect payment or have a CPA (Continuous Payment Authority) set up on your debit card, be vary wary, Starling Bank don't seem to be following the FOS rules on cancelling CPA's. That rule is if you ask Starling to stop a CPA then they must comply otherwise payments made after you have asked Starling to stop paying them are deemed unauthorised, Starling don't appear to be following the rules, and payments made after a CPA is stopped but still paid are incredibly difficult to get back with Starling playing hardball with their customers, and will only comply if a complaint is entered with the threat of taking the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, at which point Starling do back down.
If shouldn't have to be this way when you have a bank who is 'supposed' to be looking out for their customers interests as an acting fiduciary.
My advice steer well clear and look elsewhere, at least until Starling get their act together.
2 weeks ago
Daniil YUKHIN
I tried to open a business account two days ago, I'm still waiting for them to check my details. Reading other people's reviews that the process can take weeks, I've decided to look elsewhere already and that's before I've opened an account with them. I would give zero stars, one star isn't worthy of their service so far! ????
So, I thought I would update my review; I'm still waiting (3 weeks now) for Starling to open a business bank account despite me providing all the info they require and more. Starling, you need to amend your typo from opening a bank account in '5 days' to '5 weeks or more'. I'm conscious about attempting to opening a bank account elsewhere as this affects my credit rating for each application. Hurry up Starling!!! - I've got a business to run!!! 0 Stars!
Final update; so after 6 weeks, (it could be longer I've forgotten), at 11pm last night, Starling have refused me a business bank account, despite providing all the info they requested; what a waste of time! They could not give an explanation either?! I'm trying to set up a business, how can I operate without a bank account? I've now gone with Cashplus Bank who have accepted my business account application within minutes. Be warned people, if you are setting up a business, be prepared to wait a looooong time with Starling!
Minus 5 stars!
1 month ago
Joey Kamlley
Very misleading application process- advertises business accounts for you to apply and be given a personal account with no option for a sole trader account. Told that you will only be eligible for sole trader account based on your current account activity.
Quite a blatent ploy to get customers to start moving personal accounts to Starling, will be contacting trading standards as the way business accounts are advertised is in no way what is actually offered. Customer service is poor just a series of copy and pasted messages. Closed my account and will be using a proper bank for my business.
1 month ago
Nicholas Koulermos
We started with their business banking for their low cash deposit rates... Now a year later they are closing it down because it isn't profitable for them...We got a short, curt email saying this. Be very careful of signing up with Starling! I would no longer recommend at all
1 month ago
William Burkhalter
Set my bank account up in the wrong address and then completely ignore all contact from me. Only thing they managed to do was close my account and even then got no notification to confirm. Thought I'd trust the the reviews on this occasion and I really liked the advertising. After the experience I had I'm so glad I didn't trust them with my money.
*Edit* It appears however, that I'm not the only one who has had trouble. After reading some of the newer reviews I am shocked to say the least. I noticed that Starling replied to this review. I want to add for the record that I emailed them 6 or 7 times on the address they supplied and was completely ignored.
2 months ago
Kate Nowak
A great bank that I've been using for a few years now.
2 weeks ago
Joseph Ciborowski
The app is easy to use but receiving money takes forever! Also I don't think anyone actually works for this company because I've tried calling on 5 separate times and no one has ever answered the phone.
4 weeks ago
BABYDOLL JUICEE
The business application process is very time consuming, uploading videos, pictures of you work place, passports, utility bills, bank statements and no way of getting this data back if you are not accepted. I feel insulted and violated by this organisation.
2 weeks ago
Vincent Cento
Regrettably it took Starling almost three weeks, and the provision of a wide range of personal data, to conclude that for some unknown reason they were not willing/able to offer a new account for my startup business. No feedback provided, and seemingly no opportunity to discuss with a human. What more can I say - highly disappointing from the bank that claims to be "changing banking for good." I look forward to taking my custom elsewhere.
3 months ago
Cesar Medina
I have had a personal secondary current account with Starling, and have just tried to open a business account for one of my limited company with them. The system did not work so I spent 50 minutes on the phone with a polite but unsure customer service lady. The line went dead and when I attempted to call back the message told me all call operators were too busy. So I have had to leave a chat message with them requesting a call back. 1 hour later I have had no call back. It is clear the concept is a nice idea, but the ineptitude to do anything when "computer say no" is alarming and now way would I want to take risks with important aspect of business or personal finance with this amateur set-up.
3 months ago
Judy Venner
Dont use Starling for your sole trader business because if you use a trading name/business name to create an image or brand then it will be pointless when someone wants to pay your business bank account.
You cant give someone your bank details to pay your business, they have to make the "payee" your personal name which does not look professional.
Imagine your a NON limited company, You build up a chain of clothes stores or your a plumber with a few engineers working for you, you have a company name, Branding logo etc but customers have to pay you, "JOHN SMITH" for example rather than your company as seen on an invoice you might produce.
Not only looks unprofessional but might look to the customer that your trying to avoid tax by getting it paid to you personally !!
This is very disappointing for business banking but using them for a personal account seems fine.
2 months ago
Luke Lussenden
What a dreadful experience trying to open a business account with Starling. Absolutely zero correspondence advising on progress of application so after 6 days waiting I cancelled my application. Each time I called the Support Line I waited for over 15 minutes to get through to someone who couldn't offer support. I consider myself lucky that I didn't commit my business to banking with Starling. If this is the future of banking we're all doomed.
3 months ago
Shelby Haworth
I moved to Starling after N26 left the UK and wish I joined Starling earlier. Everything is so clean and the app interface is user-friendly. I do feel like I know everything that is going on with my finances. Makes managing personal and investing funds between spaces very convenient.
6 months ago
Parwis Vatankhah
Very snotty service and just cancelled my account with them, they do not provide any dialogue to query raised! I recommend you stay well away from them. They are not what they are cracked up to be!
2 months ago
Tyler Einberger
Superb for personal banking - if like me you like using great technology and rarely if ever go into a bank branch.
So easy to open an individual account (although they make joint accounts needlessly difficult). I am in my 60s so probably not their target market but I am certainly a fan.
5 months ago
