Starling Bank has announced it is introducing a second card that customers can connect to their existing account and give to anyone they trust to pay for groceries and other essential items on their behalf.
 
The bank suggested its ‘Connected card’ has been designed to help personal account customers who are self-isolating during the coronavirus crisis and are relying on trusted friends, neighbours or community volunteers to help with their shopping.

The new card avoids the need for IOUs, cash, contact, cheques or the exchange of sort codes and account numbers, Starling highlighted.
 
Protected by a PIN and with a balance limit of £200, the Connected card only permits users to spend in-store and not online, which Starling said would give the account holder control over their money when they’re unable to visit the shops themselves.
 
Starling founder and CEO, Anne Boden, said: “We know that getting in groceries and other essential items is a challenge for those who are self-isolating during the coronavirus emergency. So we came up with a solution to help our customers pay for supplies bought for them by trusted friends and neighbours without the hassle of transferring money or handling cash.
 
“Together with mobile cheque deposits, which we launched earlier this week, we’re working hard to help our customers at this difficult time.”

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