Monzo Review

Introduction

Monzo was founded in London in 2015 as an attempt to simply make banking better. The recipe is simple and effective: Monzo offers young UK customers a proper current bank account (including sort code, banking license, and deposit security) without a credit check. All that is available in plain hours after application, without setting up a meeting and filling in any lengthy forms: there are no physical branches at all.
The banking with Monzo is done through a handy mobile app, and cheaper than a regular bank.

Today, Monzo claims to be the fastest growing UK bank, with over 2 million customers and about 40,000 new accounts being opened every week.

The British Bank Awards 2019 has named Monzo the Best Banking App.

The company is planning on opening operations in the US, and already collecting applications for a waiting list.

Debit Card

Languages

• EN

Plans

• Free Account
• Fees and charges apply

Rating

Banking Features

Monthly budgets

Set budgets and spending goals. Get an instant breakdown of your spending into 12 categories including groceries, shopping etc’.

Instant money transfers

Transfer money easily via bank transfers as well as within the app between the Monzo users. (In GBP, within UK). You can also transfer money internationally with TransferWise.

Monzo Saving Pots

Monzo offers a savings marketplace of 3rd party providers. You can choose the most suitable provider for your savings goals.

Round up transactions

For any transaction over £1, Monzo will round up to the nearest pound and put money aside into any savings pot.

Joint accounts

Joint accounts are available between two Monzo current account holders.

Split the bill

Split the bill in the app with anyone else using Monzo.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Add Apple Pay or Google Pay to your Monzo account and enable contactless in-store payments.

In-app card control

Enable foreign payments, activate paying online, set limits for withdrawals and payments.

Monzo Account Types

Personal account types

Monzo’s main offered account is the personal current account. Nowadays Monzo is working on launching two more accounts: Monzo Business and Monzo Plus, which require, for now, to join their waiting list to get approved.

Monzo Current Account

Price per month

Free

Free ATM withdrawals (£)

Free payments

Google Pay & Apple Pay

Free withdrawals worldwide

Insurance package

Dedicated Customer Support

Exclusive partner offers

Saving Pots

Categorised spending

Business account types

(Upon joining a waiting list. Coming live in 2019)

• Instant bank transfers and direct debits (International)
• Connect accountancy tools direct to the Monzo app
• Employees access
• 24/7 customer support over chat, email or phone
• Set Tax and bills aside in Pots

Fees

Monzo charges smaller fees than a traditional bank, with many features offered free of charge. However, fees do still apply to some of the services.

Security

One of, if not the most important aspect of mobile banking is security. Monzo stands up to the highest standards of a bank account, even if it’s a mobile-only one:

Fingerprint login

A choice of preferred login method: a password or a fingerprint.

Real-time account notifications

Users receive instant push notifications after all account activity, keeping them informed about the status of their account and their funds.

Card blocking / unblocking

Monzo app to control everything about your card. From changing your pin to freezing it if it gets lost.

Banking License

Monzo has a banking license and is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), meaning that the customers’ money up to £85,000 is secure and refundable.

Using Monzo App Abroad

Monzo debit cards are free to use for purchases abroad and you don’t have to notify your bank’s financial control. Any point of sale transactions, as well as online payments outside of the UK are free of charge.

Regarding the ATM withdrawals overseas, there is a £200 a month fee-free limit, with a 3% fee applied to any withdrawals after that threshold. However, there’s still a chance to be charged by the ATM’s owner, but it is out of Monzo’s control.

A handy Monzo feature though is that you can control if you have any fee-free allowance left within the app, in order to avoid the overspending while abroad.

All foreign currency transactions are made according to the current Mastercard exchange rate, based on the live market.

Monzo Support

Monzo’s customer support is available 24/7 over the phone, email and live chat. In addition, there is a FAQ and forum with most popular questions and answers available on the official website, and from within the app.

Conclusion

Monzo is one of the main banking sphere disruptors, being the fastest growing bank in the UK while having zero branches. And it seems pretty natural since they manage to keep all the regular bank’s security and features, while offering a faster, seamless banking experience, and charge you less for it.

Monzo’ overall package is pretty good, but some of its greatest advantages, like account approval without a credit check, are leveled with limitations: It perfectly works for a UK resident, but for traveling and wider European use, you have to look elsewhere, like N26 or Monese.