Banking Without Borders

In this episode, Jonny and Jan put Revolut and Wise head-to-head to settle which is actually the better card for spending abroad this summer — then ask the bigger question: are either of them the best option out there? Using live data pulled from both providers on 9 June, they break down the real cost of spending £2,000 across six countries, the ATM fee traps nobody mentions, and the cheaper alter...

In this episode, Jonny and Jan go through every Revolut plan — Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, and Ultra — breaking down what you actually get, what each one costs, and the catches Revolut doesn't shout about. Whether you're brand new to Revolut or wondering whether to upgrade, this episode will tell you exactly which plan makes sense for your lifestyle. What we cover: The Standard accou...

In this episode we cover the best UK savings rates for June 2026 — every major category, the accounts worth your attention, and a few that look better than they really are. We also break down two key dates for savers this month: the CPI inflation release on the 17th of June and the Bank of England base rate decision on the 18th, and what both could mean for rates in the second half of the year. In...

Monzo just launched in Europe, and the way they've done it is smarter than most people have noticed. One Irish banking licence. All 27 EU member states. Spain next. This is a bigger deal than it looks. In this episode: Monzo just launched in Europe — and their Irish banking licence quietly unlocks all 27 EU member states Spain is next, and it's no coincidence — 1 in 3 new bank accounts o...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, Jonny and Jan break down HSBC Premier — the free bank account that requires £100,000 to get through the door.  We cover the strict eligibility criteria, an honest audit of the bundled Aviva travel insurance and Square Health perks, how the credit card mileage engines work, and why this account is simultaneously the most impressive banking infrastructure...

Revolut has increased subscription prices across several European markets — including Germany, France and the Netherlands — while adding a wave of new perks to Premium, Metal and Ultra. But are these benefits actually useful… or are they just designed to justify higher monthly fees? In this episode, Jonny and Jan break down:  The exact Revolut price increases across Europe   Whether Metal and Ultr...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , Jan breaks down how to actually fly business class without spending business class money.   Why flexibility is the single biggest lever you have — and what that really means beyond just changing your travel day How airlines price seats based on local purchasing power, and how to use that to your advantage Why booking business class directly is often the...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we cover the May 2026 savings rate update — breaking down where UK savers can earn the highest interest right now, what the Bank of England's latest decision means for rates, and which accounts look better than they actually are. Bank of England holds base rate at 3.75% — eight to one vote, with one member pushing for a hike to 4% Why the Middle Ea...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we ask whether the Amex Platinum is still worth £650 a year — and we've read the small print so you don't have to. The welcome bonus: 75,000–90,000 points, but Amex appears to be A/B testing the offer The £400 dining credit has six ways to accidentally lose it — including one Jan experienced personally Why Amex Platinum is a terrible card to a...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we sit down with Tim Chong, co-founder and CEO of Yonder.  In this episode: Yonder Premium vs Revolut Metal — Tim makes the case for why they're not actually competing for the same thing Why most Yonder customers also use Revolut — and why Tim thinks that's fine The partner network explained — how brands get selected, why over half approach Yo...

In this episode, we put Monzo Max and Revolut Metal head to head to help you figure out which one — if either — is actually worth paying for every month. The travel insurance small print that could leave you entirely uninsured on holiday — and which account has a hidden 75% payment rule most people don't know about How the phone insurance, RAC breakdown cover, rewards programmes and subscript...

It's a new financial year, which means a fresh £20,000 ISA allowance — and a market that looks more competitive than ever. But several of the headline rates are not quite what they seem. In this episode: • Why eToro's 4.78% works differently to a standard Cash ISA • What XTB's 6% actually means over 12 months • The bonus rate traps — and which accounts drop by up to 2% after year on...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we rank the four biggest names in UK private banking — Lloyds, HSBC Global Private Banking, Coutts, and Barclays — and ask whether the exclusivity actually holds up. We cover what private banking really costs to access, what you get for your money, and where the gap between the prestige and the reality is uncomfortably wide. Spoiler: the savings rates a...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we run through the best UK savings accounts for April 2026. Cash ISAs are the main focus this month, with the tax-year deadline creating a lot of competition across the market. We talk through the top rates, why some ISA deals are more straightforward than others, and where bonus-led offers can get a bit confusing. We also cover:  the best Cash ISA rate...

This week on Banking Without Borders, Jan and Jonny are asking when bank cards stopped being financial tools and started becoming status symbols.   From metal cards and paid-for “premium” designs to the new Revolut Audi F1 card, this episode looks at why banks and fintechs are increasingly selling image, identity, and exclusivity — not just useful features. Why are people paying for debit cards th...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we ask the big question now that Revolut is a proper UK bank: should it be your main bank account? We break down what actually matters in a main bank account, from trust and FSCS protection to support, savings, rewards, travel spending and everyday usability. We also look at where Revolut genuinely stands out, where it falls short, and whether the app-f...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders we compare Trading 212 and Revolut through the lens of card spending, rewards and travel. What may surprise a lot of people is that Trading 212, still best known as an investing platform, has quietly built a card that in some ways is simpler, more rewarding and potentially better for spending abroad than Revolut’s free plan. In this episode we cover: • Tr...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders we break down Revolut finally securing its full UK banking licence after a process that began back in 2021. This is a major milestone for Revolut in the UK, because it means the company can now operate as a fully licensed bank rather than relying primarily on its e-money permissions for most customers. But what actually changes? We explain why the process...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders we compare the UK’s major Premier or “status” bank accounts from the big four high street banks: NatWest, HSBC, Barclays and Lloyds . These accounts typically require £75k–£100k income or £100k+ in savings or investments , and are marketed toward high earners and high-net-worth customers. But are they actually worth it? We break down what each account rea...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we break down the best savings accounts in the UK right now and where savers can earn the highest interest. • Best Cash ISAs right now including Trading 212, Moneybox and Tembo • Easy access savings from providers like Chase UK, Chip and Cahoot • Notice accounts from OakNorth and Raisin marketplace banks • Fixed rate bonds from providers like Chatwood B...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , I break down the UK’s most popular premium packaged bank accounts and ask one simple question: which ones are actually worth paying for in 2026? I compare travel insurance, breakdown cover, and mobile or gadget insurance across leading accounts from Nationwide , Virgin Money , Santander , Monzo , Revolut , Lloyds Bank , The Co-operative Bank , and Chase...

Revolut Ultra (£660/year) and Klarna Max (£540/year) both promise lounge access, travel insurance, points, subscriptions and “thousands” in annual value. But when you actually look under the hood, they’re very different products. In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we compare: Rewards: RevPoints vs Klarna’s cashback-to-Avios system (and why the maths matters) FX & international spendi...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we build the ultimate UK credit card ladder — starting with credit builder cards for beginners and working all the way up to premium lifestyle cards like Amex Platinum and even invite-only cards like Centurion. We explain: • Why timing matters when applying  • How to move from tier 1 to tier 5  • The difference between cashback and airline miles  • When...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we break down the Trading 212 card and discuss its benefits and why it is such a great rewards card.  We cover: What the Trading 212 card actually is (and what it isn’t) How FX spending works, including when fees do and don’t apply ATM withdrawal limits and where the caps kick in How cashback works in practice, including caps and auto-investing The math...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we break down Revolut RevPoints and whether they’re worth caring about in 2026. We cover: How RevPoints are earned across Standard, Premium, Metal & Ultra Real-world earning examples (including Revolut Shops multipliers) What RevPoints are actually worth when redeeming Why spare change and challenges can be misleading Whether paying for Ultra or Met...