Wise vs. UK Banks & Fintechs — June 2025 Update

23/06/2025

Wondering if Wise is better than UK banks and fintechs in 2025? Discover how Wise offers faster, cheaper, and more transparent international money transfers compared to traditional banks and challengers like Revolut and Monzo.

Why Wise Remains the Best Choice in 2025

  • Cross-border transfer volume surged by 23% in FY 2025, amounting to £145.2 billion, reflecting strong adoption worldwide  .

  • Active customers jumped to 15.57 million, a 21% increase from the prior year  .

  • Underlying income rose 16% to £1.362 billion; underlying pre-tax profit soared 17% to £282.1 million  .

  • Exceptional cashflow performance: free cash flow hit £332.7 million, up 35%, with strong conversion rate of 118%  .

  • High profitability: H2 underlying gross profit margin reached 74%, with second-half gross profit climbing 12% to £520 million  .

Wise isn't just growing—it's getting stronger, leaner, and more cash generative.

Expansion, Speed & Transparency

  • 65% of transfers are now instant, significantly cutting wait times  .

  • Wise continues to broaden its global reach with integrations in regions like Brazil, the Philippines, Japan, India, and Australia.

  • Users benefit from transparent mid-market exchange rates and no hidden FX markup, unlike traditional banks and some fintech challengers.

Strategic US Listing: A Smart Long-Term Play

On June 5, 2025, Wise announced it will shift its primary stock listing to the US, while keeping a secondary London listing  . The move—rewarded with a ~9% jump in share price—aims to:

  • Expand access to liquid US markets and institutional investment  ,

  • Position Wise for inclusion in key US indices and ETFs  ,

  • Reinforce global trust while retaining its UK headquarters and talent base .

This dual-listing approach supports growth and reinforces long-term strategy.

Wise vs. UK Banks & Challenger Fintechs

Feature Wise (2025) Traditional UK Banks Fintechs (Revolut, Monzo)
Transfer speed 65% instant (<20s) Typically hours or days Fast, often with premium plans
FX transparency Real mid-market rate, clear fees Hidden FX margins Mixed; may include markups
Global reach 70+ countries with low-cost rails Limited international options Good reach, routing varies
Profitability & growth +17% profit, +21% active users Flat growth, lower margins Revolut profitable, Monzo improving

Wise offers superior speed, cost transparency, and global access—backed by strong fundamentals.

Why You Should Switch to Wise via Our Link

  1. Unmatched Savings: Transparent pricing with mid-market FX rates.

  2. Instant Transfers: Ideal for urgent international payments.

  3. Global Convenience: Seamless access across 70+ countries.

  4. Solid Business Backbone: Profitable, cash-rich, and strategically expanding.

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