Or a case of iteration and improvement. As mentioned in a previous comment - most UK banks participate in a scheme which allows instant transfer between accoun

Or a case of iteration and improvement. As mentioned in a previous comment - most UK banks participate in a scheme which allows instant transfer between accounts. Here's the other thing about UK banking for consumers. It is free - and most ATMs are part of a 'Link' scheme which means that you can use any ATM from any bank with any bank card and get out cash without being charged a fee. Oh, and of course I forgot the other great thing about UK and Europe - Chip & Pin. Instead of signing for every transaction in a restaurant etc - the server brings a device to your table where you then have to enter your pin number - it drastically cuts down on fraud - your card never leaves your sight and you need a PIN rather than a signature which no one ever checks or cares about. Not so much a new system, just a better one - which many places already have