Slik velger du bankkonto i 2026: 6 ting vi alltid sjekker

*Last updated: April 2026*

Between us, Thomas and Øyvind have opened over 20 bank accounts in the last two years. Some for testing, some for actual use, and a few that we regretted almost immediately. Along the way, we developed a checklist — six things we now check before opening any account. This is that checklist.

Whether you are opening your first bank account, switching from a legacy provider, or adding a specialist account to your setup, these six factors will help you make a smarter choice.

1. Fees: What Does It Actually Cost

This seems obvious, but fees are where most banks hide their margin. The monthly account fee is just the start. You need to look at:

• **ATM withdrawal fees**: Some accounts charge for domestic ATM use. Most neobanks offer free domestic withdrawals but limit international ones.

• **Card payment fees**: Spending abroad often incurs a foreign transaction fee of 1-3%. The best neobanks (Revolut, Wise, Monzo) charge little or nothing.

• **Transfer fees**: Domestic transfers are usually free. International transfers are where the costs stack up — both in explicit fees and exchange rate markups.

• **Overdraft fees**: If you ever go overdrawn, the interest rate and fee structure matter enormously. Some banks charge a flat daily fee, others charge interest, and a few offer fee-free buffers.

• **Hidden fees**: Card replacement, paper statements, dormant account charges. Read the fee schedule before you open the account, not after.

We have a simple rule: if a bank makes it hard to find its full fee schedule, that is a red flag. The best providers are transparent about costs. See our best current accounts guide for accounts that score well on fees.

2. Deposit Protection: Is Your Money Safe

This is non-negotiable. Before opening any account, we check whether the provider is covered by a deposit protection scheme.

In the UK, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects up to £85,000 per person per institution. In the EU, the Deposit Guarantee Scheme covers €100,000. In the US, FDIC insurance covers $250,000.

Some fintech apps are Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) rather than banks. EMIs safeguard your money (hold it in ring-fenced accounts at authorised banks) but do not offer the same deposit insurance as full banks. Wise and Revolut (in some markets) operate this way. Your money is protected, but the mechanism is different.

For crypto platforms like Nexo or Bybit, there is no deposit insurance. Your funds are at risk if the platform fails. We discuss this in detail in our crypto banking guide.

Checking Protection Status

Every regulated provider must disclose its licence type and protection scheme. In the UK, check the FCA register. In the US, check the FDIC BankFind tool. If you cannot verify a provider's regulatory status, do not deposit money there.

3. App Quality: Will You Actually Use It

We spend more time in our banking apps than we would like to admit. A good app is fast, reliable, and makes common tasks easy. A bad app turns every transaction into a frustration.

Things we look for:

• **Speed**: Does the app load quickly? Do transactions appear instantly?

• **Notifications**: Real-time push notifications for every transaction are essential for security and budgeting.

• **Search**: Can you easily search your transaction history?

• **Categorisation**: Automatic spending categories help you understand where your money goes.

• **Stability**: Does the app crash or glitch regularly? Check app store reviews for recent reports.

Monzo and Starling consistently have the best app experiences among UK banks. Revolut's app is feature-rich but can feel crowded. Traditional bank apps have improved significantly but still lag behind neobanks on speed and design.

4. International Features: Do You Need Them

If you never travel and never send money abroad, you can skip this section. But if you do — even occasionally — international features are worth prioritising.

The key features to look for:

• **Multi-currency accounts**: Hold money in multiple currencies without automatic conversion.

• **Competitive exchange rates**: How close to the mid-market rate does the bank offer?

• **International transfer speed and cost**: How much does it cost to send money abroad, and how fast does it arrive?

• **Card spending abroad**: What fees apply when you use your card in a foreign country?

Revolut and Wise are the clear leaders here. For a detailed comparison, see our Revolut vs Wise analysis. For business international needs, Airwallex is our top pick — we covered it in our Airwallex review.

5. Integrations and Ecosystem: Does It Fit Your Life

A bank account does not exist in isolation. It connects to your employer (salary), your landlord (rent), your utility providers (bills), your accounting software (tax), and increasingly to other financial apps.

We check:

• **Direct debit and standing order support**: Essential for bill payments. Some newer accounts have limitations.

• **Open Banking compatibility**: Can you connect the account to budgeting apps, accounting software, or other financial tools?

• **Accounting integration**: If you are self-employed, does the account connect to Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent?

• **Payment app support**: Does it work with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other wallets?

Most major banks and neobanks support all of the above, but it is worth checking before you commit — especially for newer or specialist accounts.

6. Customer Support: What Happens When Things Go Wrong

You will probably never need customer support — until you desperately do. A blocked card abroad, a failed transfer, or a suspicious transaction all require quick resolution. We test customer support at every bank we review.

What we look for:

• **Response time**: How quickly do you reach a real person?

• **Channels**: Chat, phone, email? In-app or external?

• **Quality**: Does the agent actually solve your problem, or just recite a script?

• **Availability**: 24/7 or business hours only?

In our testing, Starling and Monzo have the best customer support among neobanks. Traditional banks vary widely — some have excellent phone support, others route you through endless menus. Revolut's support has improved but still relies heavily on chatbots.

The BankTopp Decision Framework

Here is how we put it all together. When evaluating a new account, we score each of the six factors above on a scale of 1-5 and look at the total. But we also weight them based on personal needs:

• **If you travel frequently**: Weight international features and fees heavily.

• **If you are self-employed**: Weight integrations and business features.

• **If you are saving aggressively**: Weight interest rates and deposit protection.

• **If you are a first-time account holder**: Weight app quality and simplicity.

No single account wins on all six factors. The best approach for most people is a primary current account (Starling, Monzo, or a good traditional bank) paired with a specialist account for specific needs (Wise for transfers, Nexo for crypto yield, Airwallex for business). For our specific recommendations, see our best current accounts and best neobanks guides.

One Final Thought

The most important thing about choosing a bank account is actually doing it. The difference between a good account and a bad one adds up to hundreds of pounds per year. But the difference between a bad account and no decision at all is zero. Open the account, test it for a month, and switch if it does not work. The switching process is easier than you think, and your future self will thank you.

Important Disclaimer

BankTopp is an independent comparison site. We may earn commission when you open an account through our links. This does not affect our rankings. Always check the provider's terms before applying. Your capital is at risk.