Starling Bank has launched a monthly £3,000 bonus scheme for 'select' customers, aiming to "help Brits build regular savings habits." The tax-free bonus will be awarded to 10 customers every month, paid in 12 monthly instalments of £250 each.
The initiative follows new research from the bank, which found that only one in 10 Brits (11%) saves every month, despite nearly half (45%) wanting to build good savings habits. Starling's bonus scheme aims to "bridge this savings disconnect."
How the Bonus Scheme Works
To be eligible for the monthly draw, personal account customers must pay their salary into their Starling account. Each month, the bank will randomly select 10 eligible customers to receive the £3,000 tax-free bonus, paid directly into their bank account in 12 monthly instalments of £250.
The scheme follows several other initiatives from Starling designed to help customers save, including a 5% AER (4.878% gross) variable interest rate on savings up to £25,000 for new customers. The bank has also introduced AI-powered saving tools that analyse spending habits, help customers build a rainy day fund, and assist with budgeting student maintenance loans.
Bank's Statement and Comparison
Bernadette Smith, chief customer and banking officer at Starling, said: "We want to help our customers build good money habits, and saving money regularly is one of the most effective skills to learn. Our bonus scheme aims to give select customers a head start on building a savings fund, while other customers can get a boost from our market-leading savings rates."
Starling noted that the £3,000 tax-free bonus was greater than the average full-time UK salary of £39,039 pro rata, which, after tax, pays £2,635.64 monthly, according to the ONS.
Eligibility and Terms
The £3,000 offer is available to UK residents aged 18 and over. It requires an eligible Bacs salary payment of £1,500 or more per month into a personal current account by the last day of the month. Customers must opt in, with one entry per person per month, and further terms and conditions apply.
Starling commissioned Mortar Research to poll 2,040 nationally representative respondents in December 2025 to gather the savings data. The 5% savings rate applies to UK residents aged 18 and over, with interest paid monthly, and requires a Starling personal current account.
Customers are limited to one personal Easy Saver account, and the introductory bonus rate is available only for new personal Easy Saver accounts applied for within 30 days of opening a new personal current account. The personal current account must be opened from October 1, 2026, and customers will not be eligible if they have closed a personal current account after September 30, 2026.
