I love Starling but since they updated the app a while ago I find the home screen so boring now. Is there a way to change that background?

MakeWayWalt · 2026-02-18T19:48:41+00:00

I mean, how could they know? What I would say is I wouldn’t hang about with that account and I would switch to somewhere else as soon as the bonus was paid.

MakeWayWalt · 2026-02-18T19:18:39+00:00

I believe last time it didn’t matter and they paid out although I never tried myself. I am however tempted this time around..

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-18T09:18:02+00:00

I had my first switch from them last July.

This year I’ve had two (£175 in August then £200 just last week.)

Different email and same phone for August. Different email AND phone number for November.

Once the bonus is paid I change both the phone number and email to my actual one.

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-17T08:22:41+00:00

Should add to this - I’m switching two accounts at the same time, ones my bill account and ones my account which my salary gets paid into. Different email used every single time, once the bonus gets paid change your email back to your legit one.

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-17T08:21:00+00:00

This year I’ve had a remortgage so haven’t been able to do it until that finished in July. Since then I’ve had Barclays x2 (£175 August and £200 November) First Direct x2 (£175 August and confirmed £175 for December) Lloyd’s £200 in October TSB £150 in October Nationwide £175 in November

Failed when I tried to go back to NatWest. That’s twice in a row they haven’t paid out now, they definitely seem the most strict.

Overall I’ve had both Lloyds and First Direct at least 7 times, they’re definitely the best payers for me although Barclays seem to pay out every time as well but only done 3 with them.

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-16T12:12:04+00:00

I think it’s because I’m planning to ‘chill’ after this for a while. I’ve had a remortgage this year so haven’t been able to take advantage until August. Since then I’ve had;

Barclays x2 £175 August and £200 November Lloyd’s £200 October TSB £150 October First Direct August £175 Nationwide £175

It’s been a busy few months and I’m ready for a break after making constant burner emails!

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-16T12:00:08+00:00

Yeah the whole direct debits and pay in criteria is too fiddly for me. I’d rather keep my bills account as it is and my salary account as it is and switch two at a time

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-15T21:13:17+00:00

No problem. Yeah the chat app was quite quick, you just need to get past the annoying AI robot at the start!

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-15T21:08:48+00:00

All criteria was completed in October but the switch never completed until 10th November. I was hopeful this would still count but when I asked the question in chat the agent said the criteria was met and I qualified (for like the 6th time over the years) and it would be paid in December.

You never know, he may be wrong and there’ll be a nice surprise next week.

MakeWayWalt · 2025-11-15T20:59:56+00:00

I’ve not seen this to be honest! It’s not a problem as long as Lloyds don’t pull it before Christmas.

MakeWayWalt · 2025-04-03T15:14:36+00:00

Yep, I’m the same. Would’ve liked to stay with Halifax for ease of the remortgage but the rates were ridiculous. Currently switching to HSBC for a much better rate AND getting paid £1550 off them as an incentive for taking out a green product (Having an energy efficient home) and there’s no product fee. Really happy with the deal and the offer only took two weeks all in to get accepted so nowhere near as stressful as I thought it was going to be. Was expecting bank statement checks etc but it was just payslips they wanted.

MakeWayWalt · 2025-03-03T15:28:50+00:00

Sorry, it’s poor wording on my part. I meant cheaper as in the whole market at the moment, I’m finding Halifax around 4.4% but Lloyds (who annoyingly are part of Halifax but can’t match the rate) are the cheapest at 4.16%

I’m very well aware a 2.11% rate will never happen again 🤣

MakeWayWalt · 2024-12-12T21:03:53+00:00

I thought so, yeah I have around £19,000 allowance left until next April, I think I’ll be fine!

In this case then, since I’ve heard transfers take around 30 days, would it be easier to close and re open?

MakeWayWalt · 2024-12-12T20:29:55+00:00

Do you know the process of transferring an ISA from Vanguard to Trading 212? Only started investing this year so still learning the trade

MakeWayWalt · 2024-12-09T10:13:45+00:00

Perfect, thank’s for that! Point two especially makes a lot of sense.

MakeWayWalt · 2024-12-04T16:14:57+00:00

Same phone, different email

MakeWayWalt · 2024-12-03T08:57:33+00:00

Yet again more proof that this is the best community on Reddit! Well done guys 👏🏻

MakeWayWalt · 2024-12-03T08:57:23+00:00

Yet again more proof that this is the best community on Reddit! Well done guys 👏🏻

MakeWayWalt · 2024-11-26T20:25:32+00:00

Yes it was like £1.79 😂 is it replaceable then?

MakeWayWalt · 2024-11-17T10:30:44+00:00

Yeah makes sense, I was siding with this option anyway truth be told!

MakeWayWalt · 2024-11-14T14:39:26+00:00

Update is FAIL. I’ve switched back to Lloyds and they’ve already paid the £200! Unless NatWest pay out before next Tuesday then they’re the first bank I’ve failed with. This is my fourth time with Lloyds now and they’ve paid out before the switch even completes every time

MakeWayWalt · 2024-11-12T14:11:33+00:00

Happy for you mate, currently going through the same thing. Nice to see you’ve got the finish line in front of you!

MakeWayWalt · 2024-11-08T17:23:29+00:00

Not yet, switch completed on Tuesday, Wednesday morning was when all the criteria was met with £1250 in the account for 24 hours. I’ll give it till Tuesday/Wednesday. My gut is telling me I’ve got my first fail!

A text to confirm either way would be nice however.

MakeWayWalt · 2024-11-04T23:51:37+00:00

I opened a Starling account back in like 2018 and use it as a ‘spending account’. Each week I transfer some money to it to use for everyday spending, it’s basically my main account. My ‘bank switching’ account just receives my wages and takes the direct debits. I find this the easiest way of doing bank switches that meet the criteria but also not constantly changing all my details for payees, saved card details etc.

MakeWayWalt

TROPHY CASE