Starling Bank Launches Groundbreaking AI Tool to Help Customers Be ‘Good With Money’

Starling Bank has unveiled a UK industry-first feature enabling customers to use artificial intelligence to better understand their spending habits. Named Spending Intelligence, the tool is the first of its kind in UK banking, offering a natural language interface that allows users to interact directly with their financial data through the Starling app.

Built in collaboration with Google Cloud and powered by Google’s Gemini models, the new tool forms the cornerstone of Starling’s customer-facing AI strategy and aligns with the bank’s long-standing mission to help people be ‘Good with money.’

Founded by Welsh fintech pioneer Anne Boden, Starling Bank maintains a significant presence in Cardiff, further cementing its impact on the fintech landscape in Wales and beyond.

“At Starling we believe that knowledge is power, and it’s the first step to taking active control of your money,” said Harriet Rees, CIO of Starling Bank. “Now, customers can use AI to feed their natural curiosity about their finances so that they can make informed decisions about their budgeting.”

Transforming Spending Insight

The Spending Intelligence feature enhances Starling’s popular Spending tab by allowing customers to ask questions like “How much did I spend on groceries last week?” or “How much did I donate to charity last year?” The app responds with instant visualisations and analysis.

Spending data is organised across 50+ customisable categories, and the AI tool sits at the top of the Spending tab, accessible via text or voice. Personalised prompts guide users based on their individual spending patterns, whether they’re frequent travellers or everyday commuters.

A Responsible Approach to AI

Starling’s solution is designed with privacy in mind—customers must opt in to use the feature, and all data remains securely hosted within Starling’s environment on Google Cloud. The tool does not use customer data for training purposes.

Graham Dury, Director for Financial Services at Google Cloud UK & Ireland, noted: “This is a brilliant example of how AI can be applied responsibly and effectively in the financial services sector.”

Spending Intelligence follows a suite of AI-driven solutions at Starling, including cybersecurity and fraud detection tools, and adds to the bank’s growing set of digital innovations such as its in-app anti-impersonation tool.

As Starling continues to expand its footprint across the UK with hubs in Cardiff, Southampton, Manchester and London, this latest development reinforces the bank’s leadership in digital banking innovation and its commitment to customer empowerment through technology.