Banking Without Borders

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...

In this episode, we put Nationwide Building Society head-to-head with Chase UK to see which one really makes sense in 2026. We cover: Why Nationwide was missing from our last “best bank” episode Cashback, savings rates & switch incentives App experience vs branch access Joint accounts, overdrafts & everyday banking features Travel fees, FX rates & overseas spending Ethical banking &amp...

If you’re travelling abroad in 2026, using the wrong card could quietly cost you hundreds in hidden FX fees. In this episode of Banking Without Borders , Jonny and Jan break down what actually makes a good travel card — and why some of the most talked-about options don’t make the cut anymore. We compare real exchange rates, withdrawal limits, and fees across the UK’s best debit and credit cards, u...

In this episode, we shortlist the best current accounts in the UK and explain how we’d choose if we were switching banks heading into 2026. We look at six popular accounts, compare real-world features, and rank them across key use cases — without relying on marketing claims. We cover: What actually makes a great everyday bank account Which accounts offer the best cashback (and where the caps catch...

Is the HSBC Expat account the ultimate financial command center for global citizens, or just an overpriced status symbol? In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we tear down the velvet rope surrounding HSBC’s offshore offering based in Jersey. With a steep entry requirement of £75,000 in savings or a £120,000 salary, this account promises a "global hub" for your finances—but does t...

In this episode, we dig into Revolut Premium - what you really get for £80 a year, who it makes sense for, and where the value genuinely comes from. We break down the banking perks, partner subscriptions, insurance fine print, and that harsh cancellation policy so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Show Notes: Core banking perks (FX, ATM limits, savings rates) Partner subscriptions: what...

In this episode, Jonny breaks down the Autumn Budget 2025 and what it really means for everyday savers – beyond the headlines about £30bn in extra taxes. We cover: The cut to the Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 for under-65s from April 2027 Why over-65s keep the full £20,000 Cash ISA limit – and what that means for everyone else The 2% rise in savings income tax and how frozen tax bands...

In this episode we look at PayPal’s new UK debit card and the PayPal+ rewards scheme. The headline numbers sound great — 1% back, tier boosts, and retailer offers up to 20% — but the rules are messy. We explain how the points really work, where the rewards drop off, and whether any of the tiers are actually worth chasing. Plus, the travel perks are surprisingly strong. What we cover: How PayPal+ p...

In this BWB episode, we make the case that every transaction should pay you back, then run through the best free UK cashback options and a simple stack you can actually use day-to-day. We hit rates, caps, categories, FX gotchas, and when “free” isn’t really free. We cover Trading 212: 1.5% with Cashback Investing (cap £15/mo) Chase UK: 1% on groceries & everyday transport (incl. public EV char...

If you’re starting from zero, or finally taking freelancing seriously, this episode gives you a field-tested roadmap from Jan a 7-figure freelancer. We cover how to choose (and tighten) your offer, find your first clients without Upwork, write outreach that gets replies, price with confidence, and avoid the early mistakes that kill momentum. Think “learn by earning,” not endless planning. You’ll l...

Not all multi-currency accounts deliver on their promise of borderless banking. Jonny and Jan dig into what these accounts really do, and which ones are genuinely worth using in 2025. They unpack the pros, cons, and hidden catches of Wise, Revolut, Trading 212, Bunq, HSBC Global Money, and NatWest, exploring who each account suits, what makes Wise the current gold standard, and when a simple trave...

Revolut Metal promises premium banking for about £15 a month - with travel insurance, trading perks and a stainless-steel card to prove it. But how much of that value actually comes from banking… and how much from a pile of third-party subscriptions you might never use? In this episode of Banking Without Borders , Jonny and Jan break down everything inside Revolut Metal: What you really get for yo...

Revolut is betting big on AI agents to handle customer service, sales, and even fraud cases, but are people really ready to trust a chatbot with their money? Meanwhile, Curve’s £120m sale to Lloyds has turned into a messy showdown with investors threatening legal action, and Starling’s big rebrand has left customers and critics asking whether it’s bold… or a flop? In this September recap, Jonny an...

In this episode, Jonny and Jan cut through the noise around budgeting. Forget complicated spreadsheets or patronising advice about skipping coffee, we share our own stories, the practical frameworks we use day-to-day, and the simple mindset shifts that make budgeting feel like freedom, not punishment. You’ll learn: Why living below your means is the foundation of financial freedom. Where most peop...

Revolut Ultra is one of the boldest products we’ve seen in banking: £45/€50 a month for lounge access, travel insurance, boosted savings, and 16 subscriptions Revolut claims are worth over £4,000 a year. In this Banking Without Borders episode, Jonny and Jan break down: The core financial features (ATM limits, FX, savings, RevPoints) The subscription bundle and where most of the value lies Our own...

Revolut just hit a $75B valuation via a secondary share sale, more than some UK high-street banks and even Nubank (despite Nubank’s larger revenue and users). In this Banking Without Borders episode, Jonny and Jan break down: What the secondary sale really signals (and why headlines matter) Revolut’s numbers : revenue, profit, users, deposits, and margins The super-app moat (wealth, business banki...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we cover some of the biggest fintech stories of August 2025: PayPal’s $10 billion chaos — how a broken fraud system nearly caused mass unauthorized withdrawals, and why German banks had to step in. N26 leadership shake-up — founders pushed aside as regulators and investors demand stability. Starling acquires Ember — what this means for business banking...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders , we dive into one of the strangest fintech stories of the year: Lloyds Bank is reportedly in talks to buy Curve, but why would the UK’s biggest high street bank want a struggling wallet app? We break down what’s really going on, from Apple Pay’s NFC lock-in to Lloyds’ wider payments strategy. We also cover: Monzo’s return to the top spot in the CMA banki...

Getting started with investing can feel intimidating, but the truth is, it’s never been easier, and you don’t need to be a financial expert to grow your money.  In this episode, we break down the essentials of investing for beginners: What the stock market actually is (and why it matters) The main products you’ll come across, stocks, ETFs, index funds, bonds, and more The best apps and platforms f...

July was not a good month for the UK’s fintech scene. Revolut is still stuck waiting for its full banking licence, Wise is officially moving to New York, and Starling looks like it might follow. Meanwhile, Klarna is expanding, Chase is moving into Europe, and Monzo just got hit with a £21 million fine. Is this just a series of bad headlines, or are we watching the start of a fintech exodus? In thi...

Thinking of getting into investing, or switching trading platforms in 2025? In this episode, Jonny and Jan break down some of the most popular brokers,  Revolut, Trading 212, Trade Republic, and Interactive Brokers,  and share what it’s really like to use them day-to-day. Jonny reveals the huge mistake he made starting out (and how it’s now cost him thousands), and together they discuss fees, ease...