Skipton Building Society has created and submitted a series of new emojis to the Unicode Consortium, aiming to help Brits talk about money more naturally. The proposed collection includes a pound sign coin, piggybank, money tree, rainy day fund, money on the mind, and money talks emojis.
Current Lack of British Currency Emojis
Currently, only one emoji features the pound sterling symbol: the stack of cash emoji. Most money-related emojis use generic or dollar-led designs, such as the money bag, flying cash, and face with money-sign eyes. This leaves British users without an everyday way to represent their currency in digital conversations.
More than 10 billion emojis are sent every day worldwide, and around 92% of online users use them regularly. 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.
Proposed New Emojis and Their Purpose
The building society has submitted the new emojis to the Unicode Consortium, the organisation responsible for reviewing and approving new emojis used across digital devices and platforms worldwide. The proposed emojis aim to bridge the gap in representing British currency and financial experiences.
Jazz Gakhal said: “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.”
Impact on Financial Conversations
Gakhal noted that money can still be a taboo subject, with many people uncomfortable discussing their finances. She suggested that 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.
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.
Gen Z and Broader Support for New Emojis
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.
Overall, one in six adults are not confident talking about money and finances, 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.
Call for Action Ahead of Emoji Day
Jazz Gakhal called for the change ahead of Emoji Day on 17th July. She 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.”
Gakhal emphasised the importance of creating more opportunities for open, relatable conversations about finances and helping people build knowledge and confidence over time. She encouraged seeking trusted guidance and using practical tools, savings products, and educational resources to turn good intentions into positive financial habits.
