Banking Without Borders

Technically Money

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.

  1. 10H AGO

    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 beyond just changing your travel dayHow airlines price seats based on local purchasing power, and how to use that to your advantageWhy booking business class directly is often the wrong move — and what to do insteadThe upgrade bidding strategy, and why you should never bid the minimumHow to build Avios points without changing your spending habitsWhy you should pick your airline before your credit card, not the other way aroundThe one tool Jan actually trusts for finding cheap flights (and why he thinks AI tools are useless for this)Connect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    28 min

  2. 1D AGO

    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 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 East conflict has changed the rate outlook for 2026 and what that means for saversCurrent account switch bonuses worth up to £500 from HSBC, First Direct, Barclays and Santander — with deadlines coming up fastEasy access savings topping 5% from LemFi — including a walkthrough of the account opening process, the ClearBank FSCS nuance, and the six-month rate cliffBest easy access rates from Tembo, Chase, Cynergy Bank, Hanley Economic BS and Charter Savings BankCash ISAs — flexible vs non-flexible explained, bonus cliff warnings on Trading 212, Plum and Tembo, and why the £20k allowance matters more than ever before it drops in 2027Fixed rate bonds from Chetwood Bank, Kent Reliance and GB Bank — and why the tiny gap between one-year and five-year rates tells you something important about market expectationsNotice accounts — when they make sense and when easy access is simply betterRegular savers — why 7.1% headline rates are more misleading than they look, and the actual best picks from First Direct, Club Lloyds and Monmouthshire BSAll accounts mentioned are available to compare at DepositScout.com Connect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    14 min

  3. APR 29

    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 testing the offerThe £400 dining credit has six ways to accidentally lose it — including one Jan experienced personallyWhy Amex Platinum is a terrible card to actually use abroadThe insurance is the most underrated benefit — but there are catches most people don't know aboutIs enshittification real? Harvey Nichols gone, Centurion guest cuts, Lufthansa lounges ending in OctoberHSBC and Barclaycard offer similar perks at half the price — so why does Platinum still win?Our verdict: it's not a travel card, not a subscription bundle — it's a lifestyle accessory that only works if you work for itConnect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    23 min

  4. APR 22

    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 competing for the same thingWhy most Yonder customers also use Revolut — and why Tim thinks that's fineThe partner network explained — how brands get selected, why over half approach Yonder inbound, and the Netflix analogy Tim uses to describe curation at scaleThe fair usage policy — and whether it creates a frustrating experience for members who can't find anything to redeemIs Revolut a threat? Tim responds to the prospect of a Revolut credit card launching in the UKThe debt trap question — is Yonder glamorising credit to a generation already under financial pressure?Netherlands expansion and what comes next for Yonder in the UK and EuropeConnect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    32 min

  5. APR 15

    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 holiday — and which account has a hidden 75% payment rule most people don't know aboutHow the phone insurance, RAC breakdown cover, rewards programmes and subscription bundles actually compare when you read the policy documentsThe FX fees, savings rates, ATM limits and money transfer costs that matter for everyday bankingWhich account wins for families, frequent travellers, and people who just want simplicityOur honest personal verdict on whether a premium bank account is worth it at all — or whether the free tier does the job just as wellConnect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    22 min

  6. APR 14

    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% 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 one • Flexible vs non-flexible ISAs explained clearly • How ISA transfers work — and the one mistake that kills your tax-free wrapper Rates sourced from DepositScout.com — check the link for the latest figures before you act. Connect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    15 min

  7. APR 8

    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 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 are embarrassing. We cover: What separates private banking from premier banking — and why it mattersLloyds as the most accessible entry point, and whether that's a good thingHSBC Global Private Banking's multi-currency edge and travel card suiteWhy Coutts is still the most prestigious name in the room, despite disappointing cash ratesBarclays Private Bank's £3m entry bar and its investment banking accessThe savings rates across all four — and why they're not the pointWhich banks we left off the list and whyThe three-question checklist for working out if you actually need a private bankWho private banking is genuinely built for — and who should stay well clearIf you've ever been curious about what sits above premier banking, or whether the mystique of Coutts and HSBC Privé is justified, this episode breaks it down properly. Connect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    20 min

  8. APR 2

    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 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 rates right now  regular savers paying up to 7.5%  fixed-rate savings accounts  easy-access accounts worth watching  why some headline rates need a closer look We also mention some of the tools on DepositScout, including filters, email alerts, and rate graphs that let you track how specific products have changed over time.  Connect with us (via LinkedIn) Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-watermann/ Jonny: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-pease Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message at jonny@technicallymoney.com

    11 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Technically Money
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Banking Without Borders
  • Show Website
    Banking Without Borders

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