Santander UK announces first UK banking partnership with Sibstar to help vulnerable customers manage their everyday spending

Santander UK has today (23 September 2026) announced a new partnership with Sibstar, the UK’s first debit card and app designed to help people living with additional needs to safely manage everyday spending.

Through the partnership, Santander will be able to refer customers and their families who may need extra support managing their money directly to Sibstar. The Sibstar debit card and app can be used to set daily and monthly spending limits, manage how and where the card is used, and receive real-time transaction notifications. 

Sibstar supports a wide range of people, from those living with dementia or learning disabilities, to those managing a health condition or generally concerned about scams or overspending. For vulnerable customers, Sibstar gives families the peace of mind that their loved ones can continue to manage their money in a safe and supported way, while maintaining their financial independence.

Michael, whose father, Malcolm, is living with dementia, commented: “Finding Sibstar has made a real difference for our family, especially after everything we went through with my dad's previous care. Dad’s dementia has meant he has become increasingly vulnerable to financial exploitation; as soon as we discovered that large amounts of cash were being taken from him by the staff at my mother’s nursing home, we know something had to be done.”

Financial vulnerability is a widespread issue in the UK, with 26.4 million adults, almost half the population, showing one or more characteristics of vulnerability. Dementia is one of the conditions driving this, affecting an estimated 982,000 people in the UK today, a figure expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Around 1.5 million people in the UK are also living with a learning disability. Together, these numbers point to a growing need for financial products that are built with vulnerable customers in mind.   

Michael added: “I never wanted to take Dad’s financial independence away, as I knew how important it was for him, and Sibstar has allowed us to do that while keeping him safe. I've not had to worry the way I used to, and he's been able to stay in his own home, which means everything to us. More families in similar situations need to know that tools like this exist, and I only wish we'd known about them sooner.”

Graeme Cumming, Head of Vulnerable Customer Strategy at Santander UK said: “For those living with dementia, learning disabilities or other health conditions, keeping on top of your everyday spending can become increasingly challenging. Through our new partnership with Sibstar, we’re helping customers who may need extra support, while maintaining their financial independence and giving families greater reassurance that their everyday spending is safe and supported.”

Jayne Sibley, CEO and Founder of Sibstar, commented:“Sibstar was built to support anyone who is financially vulnerable, whether that's due to a learning disability, dementia, a mental health condition or simply a need for extra reassurance around scams and overspending. We're excited to partner with Santander, as through this partnership we'll be able to help so many more families safely manage their everyday spending.   

 “After competing in the bank’s annual entrepreneurship awards - the Santander X Awards - two years ago, which was a huge opportunity and platform for Sibstar, it gives me great pride to now be working with Santander to make a difference to thousands of people’s lives across the UK.” 

Sara Davies, MBE and Investor in Sibstar, added: “I've seen first-hand through my own family how much peace of mind a product like this can give, and partnering with a bank like Santander means Jayne and the team can now reach so many more families who need that support. I’m incredibly proud of what they've built and excited to see what’s in store for them next.”

 

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Notes to Editors

1)       Find out more about Sibstar here: Sibstar Debit Card.

2)       Under the referral arrangement, Santander customers will remain free to decide whether Sibstar is appropriate for their circumstances and whether they wish to sign up. The Sibstar card and app will be provided and managed by Sibstar, rather than Santander

Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK, helping people and businesses prosper. From buying a home to budgeting, saving and investing for the future, or growing their business, the bank offers a broad range of personal and commercial financial products and services designed around customers' goals. Combining the convenience of digital banking with a human touch, Santander UK serves its customers via online and mobile banking, a nationwide branch network that includes seven  Work Cafés, and a  telephone service supported by tailored AI solutions to provide fast and effective support. As part of Banco Santander, one of the world's biggest banking groups, Santander UK customers benefit from a locally focused UK bank, backed by global scale, technology platforms and security. In April 2026, Santander UK completed its acquisition of TSB Banking Group, the single largest investment in the UK banking sector for over 15 years, creating the third largest UK bank based on personal current account balances and fourth largest for mortgages. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the FCA and the PRA in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS in the UK.

Banco Santander (SAN SM) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. The group’s activities are consolidated into five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Openbank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments. This operating model allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. As of the end of June 2026, Banco Santander had €1.5 trillion in total funds, more than 182 million customers, 6,500 branches and 185,000 employees.