Banking Without Borders
Banking Without Borders is a podcast about modern money — from digital banks and cashback cards to savings, credit cards, FX, global accounts, and the financial products reshaping how people manage money in the UK and beyond.
We focus less on hype and more on what actually matters: who a product is for, how it makes money, where the trade-offs are, and whether it’s genuinely worth using.
If you want clear thinking, real-world context, and fewer buzzwords and less BS when it comes to banking, cards, and personal finance, this is the podcast.
Episodes
58 episodes
Can Monzo Compete With Revolut In Europe?
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:M...
Is HSBC Premier the Best Bank Account in the UK?
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...
Revolut Just Raised Prices Across Europe — Is It Still Worth Paying For?
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 ar...
How to Fly Business Class Without Paying Business Class Prices
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 bey...
5% Easy-Access Is Back! UK Savings Rates Update - May 2026
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...
Is AMEX Platinum Really Worth £650?
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...
Can the Yonder Card Replace Revolut? We Asked the CEO!
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 compet...
Monzo Max vs Revolut Metal: Which Premium Bank Account Is Right For You?
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 hol...
Cash ISAs Explained: eToro, XTB, Bonus Rate Traps & How to Pick the Right One
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% ...
Ranking Exclusive UK Private Bank Accounts: Coutts vs HSBC vs Barclays vs Lloyds
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 ...
Don’t Miss the Cash ISA Deadline: Up to 4.81% on ISAs & 4.75% on Easy-Access!
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 ...
When Did Bank Cards Become Status Symbols?
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...
Should Revolut Be Your Main Bank Account?
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 p...
Has Trading 212 Built a Better Card Than Revolut?
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, ...
Revolut Finally Gets Its UK Banking Licence: What Changes Now?
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 o...
Best UK Premier Bank Accounts Ranked (NatWest vs HSBC vs Barclays vs Lloyds)
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 i...
Up To 7.5% On Savings! UK Rates Update – Best Cash ISAs, Easy Access & More (March '26)
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
Best & Worst Premium Bank Accounts for Insurance in the UK (2026)
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, breakdo...
Is Klarna Max a Real Alternative to Revolut Ultra?
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...
The UK Credit Card Ladder: From Credit Builder to AMEX Platinum & Ultra Exclusive!
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 ca...
The Trading 212 Card: Rewards, FX, and the Trade-Offs
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)...
Are Revolut RevPoints Worth It in 2026?
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...
Nationwide vs Chase UK: Which Is the Better Bank in 2026?
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” episodeCashback, ...
The Best Travel Cards for 2026 (And Why We Didn’t Pick Revolut or Wise)
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...
The Best Bank Accounts in the UK Right Now (Our 2025/26 Shortlist)
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 ...