Starling Bank Launches Free Expense Cards and Team Access to Streamline SME Spending

Quick Summary

Starling Bank has launched free SME spending tools, including Expense Cards and Team Access, to help UK small businesses delegate financial tasks safely. These features allow owners to issue up to five physical cards and grant read-only account visibility to staff or accountants, reducing administrative burdens.

How Does Starling Bank Simplify SME Spending Management?

Starling Bank addresses the high cost of financial administration - estimated at £63,000 annually for the average small firm - by introducing SME spending tools that automate delegation. The new Expense Cards allow business owners to distribute up to five physical cards to employees, enabling them to handle day-to-day purchases without needing full account access. This effectively eliminates the manual reimbursement process that often plagues small finance teams.

• Instant card issuance via the Starling mobile app.
• Dedicated spending spaces to ringfence company funds.
• Real-time notifications for every employee transaction.

What Controls Are Available for Business Owners?

Security remains a priority within these SME spending tools. Each Expense Card is linked to a specific 'Space,' allowing owners to cap daily spending at £5,000. Furthermore, the Team Access feature provides a secure way to share financial data with up to five external users, such as bookkeepers or accountants, on a read-only basis. This ensures that while visibility is shared, the power to move money remains exclusively with the business owner.

• Read-only permissions for staff and external accountants.
• Instant toggle controls to lock or unlock cards in-app.
• Future tax reporting integration for accounting professionals.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This move by Starling Bank significantly moves the needle for the UK's 5.5 million SMEs. By offering these SME spending tools for free, Starling is directly challenging the fee-heavy models of traditional banks and specialized expense management platforms. Providing granular financial control and read-only visibility for accountants simplifies the tech stack for small business owners, reinforcing Starling's position as a leader in digital business banking.