Home Authors Michelle Stevens
Michelle Stevens

Michelle Stevens

Deputy editor

Michelle Stevens is a deputy editor at Finder, specialising in banking, finance and mortgages. She has a journalism degree from the University of Sheffield and has been a journalist for more than 10 years, writing on topics including fintech, payment systems and retail. Michelle was the editor of business publications FStech and Retail Systems, and prior to that was a senior writer at People Management magazine. She is often quoted in national media on the subject areas of banking and mortgages. In her spare time, Michelle likes to travel, explore new foodie experiences and attempt to improve her own culinary skills.

Expertise

  • Banking
  • Mortgages
  • Fintech
  • Payments
  • Retail

Experience

  • Author of five Finder white papers on business accounts, credit cards, retail trends, children's spending accounts and business loans
  • Responsible for the UK awards programme of Customer Satisfaction Awards and Innovation Awards at Finder
  • Former editor of the business publications FStech and Retail Systems
  • Former chair of the FStech Awards, Retail Systems Awards and Payments Awards
  • Over a 12-year journalism career, interviewed key executives across the financial, payments and retail sectors, as well as government ministers and senior public sector figures
  • Quoted in the national press as a spokesperson on banking and mortgages
  • Highly commended for journalism work at both the Santander Media Awards and Willis Towers Watson Media Awards

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts, Journalism Studies | University of Sheffield

Featured publications

Industry insights from Michelle Stevens

We asked Michelle to share some of her latest money management and banking tips.

How can people budget more effectively?

Many banking apps will now alert you when payments go out of your account and they have tools to keep track of how much you have spent that day, week or month, and on what, giving you an extra layer of insight into your spending habits. Try and set yourself a budget for the week, and you could use either your banking app or a specialist budgeting app like Money Dashboard or Emma to keep on top of that target, by tracking your weekly outgoings or setting up notifications for when you’re about to go over your allocated spending amount for that week.

When is it worth switching your current account and how easy is it to do?

It can be worth switching your current account to a new banking provider to take advantage of any cash switching incentives on offer, or to use any new account features that you think will be beneficial to you, such as cashback on bills. You can easily switch current accounts in the UK using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). The vast majority of banks are signed up to this scheme. You instruct your new banking provider that you want to switch your current account to them, and then it takes care of the whole process. Your new account is opened, your old account is closed, and any regular incoming payments (such as your salary) and outgoing payments (such as direct debits) are automatically moved over for you, along with your account balance. The service is free and guaranteed to take place within the 7 working days leading up to your chosen switch date.

Featured videos

Latest articles by Michelle Stevens

115 articles written by this author

Amex launches “buy now, pay later” plan in UK

Amex has launched a deal similar to buy now, pay later. You can pay for big ticket items over several months for a fixed fee, with Plan It.

Michelle Stevens 28 February 2024
Amex launches “buy now, pay later” plan in UK

Register now to attend PAY360

The UK’s largest payments event is being held on 19 and 20 March at ExCeL London. Find out how to book your place here.

Michelle Stevens 14 February 2024
Register now to attend PAY360

Santander Edge Credit Card review

Find out how to boost your cashback with this new credit card from Santander.

Michelle Stevens 12 February 2024
Santander Edge Credit Card review

Expense management platform Payhawk set to expand services

Pawhawk may be about to expand its services after getting an e-money licence.

Michelle Stevens 17 January 2024
Expense management platform Payhawk set to expand services

Starling Bank boosts interest rate for current account holders

The new rate of 3.25% for current accounts kicks in from 1 October for both new and existing customers. Here's what you need to know.

Michelle Stevens 28 September 2023
Starling Bank boosts interest rate for current account holders

5 benefits of having an online business account

Find out how using a digital account with the right connected services can help your business. Paid content

Michelle Stevens 12 January 2023
5 benefits of having an online business account

Winners of the Finder Investing & Saving Innovation Awards 2022 revealed

Now in their third year, these awards recognise the investing and saving providers displaying the best innovations in their field.

Michelle Stevens 21 September 2022
Winners of the Finder Investing & Saving Innovation Awards 2022 revealed

Finder Investing & Saving Innovation Awards 2022

These awards recognise innovation in the areas of saving, stocks and shares ISAs, pensions, share dealing, ESG investing and more.

Michelle Stevens 21 September 2022
Finder Investing & Saving Innovation Awards 2022

Revolut Junior kids’ card and app rebrands as Revolut <18

Digital challenger relaunches its offering for kids aged 6 to 17 with a refreshed app and card design.

Michelle Stevens 19 August 2022
Revolut Junior kids’ card and app rebrands as Revolut <18

5 must-know banking tips when setting up as a limited company

Find out how to approach business banking for the first time when establishing your company. Paid content.

Michelle Stevens 25 July 2022
5 must-know banking tips when setting up as a limited company
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