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The credit card companies are not in the business of helping you leave. The longer you carry a balance, the more interest you pay, and the system runs that way by design.
Updraft works the other way round, and last week the people using it made that point for us. We have been named best personal finance app at the British Bank Awards 2026, announced on 21 May in London.
The award is voted for by customers, not handed out by a panel. More than 229,000 reviews went in through Smart Money People this year. So it comes from the people actually using Updraft to get on top of their credit card debt.
On Smart Money People, Updraft holds an average score of 4.88 out of 5 from more than 11,000 reviews, with 96 per cent rating it five stars. Behind that number are people getting on top of their card balances and paying them down faster.
Since launch, more than a million people have used Updraft, and together they have paid off over £750 million in credit card and overdraft debt. Card by card, balance by balance, that is a lot of money moved out of the hands of the lenders charging interest on it.
Peer Jelendorf, CEO of Smart Money People, congratulated Updraft on the win:
“Congratulations to Updraft for being awarded Best personal finance app, recognising the impact it is having in helping customers take greater control of their finances. On the Smart Money People platform, customers also highlight the smooth and efficient experience from application through to ongoing use, along with the clarity and support provided throughout their journey.
Together, these elements reflect Updraft’s focus on reducing financial complexity and helping people feel more in control of their money. The whole team at Updraft should be very proud of this recognition.”
Aseem Munshi, founder of Updraft, said:
“We built Updraft to help people pay off expensive credit card debt and feel back in control of their money. To be voted best personal finance app by the people we set out to help is the recognition we care about most.”
Looking to pay off credit card debt? If you’re looking to consolidate credit card debt and cut down on high interest, check your eligibility for Updraft, or download our app today.
Loans from 15.3% APR (25.9% APR Representative)
25.9% APR Representative based on a £10,000 loan over 60 months at 20.40% fixed interest p.a. Monthly repayment: £283.20. Total repayable: £16,992 (inc. £600 fee). Subject to status and affordability. Consolidating debt may increase the term and total amount repaid. All figures are representative and based upon an assessment of credit and affordability. Terms and conditions apply.
From 15.3% to 41.2% APR, £1,000–£25,000, over 2–5 years available.
Updraft helps people pay off credit card debt. Our app connects to your accounts, shows you what your borrowing costs, and where it makes sense replaces card and overdraft balances with a single Updraft loan. It’s rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot by the people using it to do exactly that.
What is Updraft?
Updraft helps people pay off credit card debt. It uses open banking and credit data to show people everything they owe across their cards and overdrafts, then helps them build a plan to clear it. More than a million people have used Updraft to pay off over £750 million in credit card and overdraft debt.
Is Updraft just a loan?
No. Updraft is a service for paying off credit card debt. A consolidation loan can be part of how it helps, but it starts by using open banking to show people their full picture and build a plan to pay down what they owe. The goal is getting on top of the debt, not taking on more of it.
How does Updraft help people pay off credit card debt?
Updraft connects to a person's accounts through open banking and reads their credit data to show what they owe and what it is costing them in interest. From there it helps them build a plan to pay it down, which can include bringing higher-interest balances together so more of each payment goes towards clearing the debt rather than servicing interest.
What did Updraft win at the British Bank Awards 2026?
Updraft was named best personal finance app at the British Bank Awards 2026, announced on 21 May in London. The British Bank Awards are run by Smart Money People and voted for by customers, so the win came from the people who use Updraft rather than a judging panel. More than 229,000 reviews were submitted across the categories.
Is Updraft FCA authorised?
Yes. Updraft is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It operates under Fairscore Ltd.
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Updraft is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 810923.
Fairscore Ltd (trading as “Updraft”) is registered in England. Our registered company number is 10868865 and our registered office is at 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU. Updraft is acting as an agent of TrueLayer, who is providing the regulated Account Information Service and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (firm reference number 901096).
© 2026 Fairscore Ltd