Skipton Building Society has designed and submitted a series of new British currency emojis to the Unicode Consortium, aiming to make talking about money and finances easier for UK adults. The proposed collection includes a pound sign coin, piggybank, money tree, rainy day fund, money on the mind, and money talks emojis.
Only One Existing Emoji Features the Pound Sterling
Currently, the only emoji to feature the pound sterling symbol is the stack of cash emoji. Most money-related emojis feature generic or dollar-led designs, including icons such as the money bag, flying cash, and face with money-sign eyes. This leaves British users without an everyday way to represent their own currency in digital conversations.
Jazz Gakhal, Skipton Building Society's CEO of money, believes the lack of emojis reflecting everyday financial experiences makes conversations about money feel less relatable, particularly for younger audiences. Gakhal called for the change ahead of Emoji Day on 17th July.
Emojis as a Core Part of Communication
Gakhal stated: "Emojis are no longer just a fun add-on to conversations – they have become a core part of how people communicate and make themselves understood. Yet when it comes to talking about money in the UK, there are surprisingly few emojis that reflect the currency and financial experiences that are part of everyday life for millions of people."
She added: "As digital communication continues to evolve, it's important that the symbols people use reflect the experiences and situations they encounter in real life."
Reducing the Stigma Around Money
Money can still be a taboo subject, with many people uncomfortable discussing their finances. Gakhal suggests having these emojis could be a step forward in removing the stigma. "Creating more recognisable and relatable ways to talk about finances could help make those conversations feel more natural, accessible and easier to start," she said.
"If a simple emoji prompts someone to talk about their savings goals, seek advice, or feel more confident discussing their finances with friends, family or experts, then it has the potential to make a meaningful difference."
Research Shows Gen Z Struggles with Financial Talks
Research of 2,000 adults found that the majority of Gen Z have at least one financial topic they find awkward to discuss. This ranges from talking about savings (47%), to asking someone to pay them back (38%), and discussing splitting the bill (30%). Nearly four in ten said having such conversations over text makes them feel more comfortable broaching the subject.
When asked about money-related emojis, 43% of Gen Z believe more emojis representing British currency would make it easier to talk about money in everyday conversations. Four in 10 (41%) added it would make conversations about money feel more relatable, while 36% think it would help people express financial matters more clearly.
Broader Impact Across All Ages
Overall, one in six adults are not confident talking about money and finances, with this rising to 23% of 45 to 54-year-olds. Among all Brits polled, the emojis they would most like to see introduced include a piggy bank (22%) and an emoji representing payday (21%). Others believe a digital representation of empty pockets (17%), a rainy-day fund (14%), and grabbing a bargain (14%) would be worthwhile additions.
Jazz Gakhal added: "While younger adults are often at the forefront of digital communication, the reality is that money remains a difficult topic for people of all ages. Whether someone is saving for their first home, managing household budgets, building a rainy-day fund or planning for retirement, financial conversations can still feel uncomfortable or difficult to start."
"That's why it's important to create more opportunities for open, relatable conversations about finances and to help people build knowledge and confidence over time. For those looking to take the next step, seeking trusted guidance and making use of practical tools, savings products and educational resources can help turn good intentions into positive financial habits. And whenever those money conversations begin, Skipton is here to provide the support, guidance and resources people need to take the next step with confidence."
