Where the new card is issued by a payment solutions operator. Or as they call themselves, online banks. Without a banking licence. Or one obtained somewhere, in EU perhaps even, but that is still under question with the respective market regulator.

So, when you decide to apply for an “online bank” account, that comes with a bank card happily delivered from abroad in 3-5 days and everything in its set up sounds nice and easy, unlike the usual hassle with the high street banks 4-5 proofs of address, one should:

1. decide how and for what you will use that account/card for;
2. find out if it is issued by a bank or just a non bank financial institution – depending on which your money kept in that account might be protected or not – according to EU bank regulations at least (no matter Brexit just around the corner);
3. try all the options available – you might never know when you will actually need one that will not really work;
4. test the customer support service – as much as possible;
5. think 3 times whether you want to keep money in the account;
6. check all the free (or included) services. And the cost for the others. Several times.
7. check the card acceptance – did you know some of them are not accepted by some airlines? Will you be thirsty or hungry in the plane with just that card on you? Oh, well.. Bad luck.
8. check again the fees and caps; and the other more expensive hipster options – premium, silver, gold, bla. Are you sure you will need any?
9. will you still keep your other (bank) cards? Why, do you want to feel rich with tons of cards in your (electronic) wallet?
10. still sure you want it? go back to number 5.

Oh well, if all still sounds good, go ahead and break a leg. If any issues, do kindly comment back. Funny, innit?

The auditor