Gavin Shepherd

Money Analyst – Banking and Insurance

Having left uni with a degree in German studies, Gavin joined MSE via the unorthodox route of Lufthansa cabin crew, followed by Windsor Castle visitor services.

Now that he's been here over two years, he's a bit of an expert on all things banking, including current accounts, packaged bank accounts and bank switch offers.

Gavin's day-to-day tasks include keeping our bank account guides up to date, as well as regularly assisting the MSE News team with money-related articles. When he's not busy breaking down the latest banking jargon, Gavin spends a lot of time at his local church, where he plays violin in the music group and helps to lead activities for teenagers.

Latest from Gavin Shepherd

Unlike other financial products – such as mortgages, bank and savings accounts – you can't take out a credit card in joint names. Instead, the credit card remains the responsibility of one person, with an additional cardholder granted permission to spend on the card. This short guide takes you through how they work and what to watch out for.

1 October 2025

If you have children under the age of 18 then a card could be a great alternative to cash to teach them how to spend wisely. There are two main alternatives – prepaid cards or debit cards that come with children's bank accounts. This guide takes you through the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you choose.

17 September 2025

12 September 2025

If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 (or have a child who was), you could be one of 670,000 missing out on as much as £2,200 in savings, lying dormant in a Child Trust Fund. It's quick and simple to check and claim the account if so – we've step-by-step help below.

9 September 2025

Many of us have been with our bank for years but times change and so do our circumstances. With the huge number of bank accounts on offer these days, it's easier than ever to find an account that helps you bank the way you want to – invaluable if you or a relative finds themselves in a position of financial vulnerability.

21 August 2025

Close-up of a sign showing a red L on top of a driving instructor's car.

Car insurance can be expensive, especially if you're new to driving. And unless you're learning with a professional driving instructor, you'll need some sort of cover in place as you practise. This guide runs you through car insurance for learner drivers, and how to get the best deal.

29 July 2025

Mint green Zopa Biscuit debit card sitting on plate of Jammie Dodgers

30 June 2025

Two HyperJar cards against a purple background

Our top-pick children's prepaid card will charge a £3 a month inactivity fee from 3 June if you fail to use your account in 12 months. But it's not an issue for most as you can easily avoid the new HyperJar fee. Here's how.

2 June 2025

You're not tied in to a contract with your car insurer, so you can leave when you want. If you no longer need your insurance, or you've found a better deal, it's easy to cancel your policy. This guide explains what to consider beforehand, how to cancel and whether you'll be due a refund.

28 May 2025

The outside of a branch of a Santander branch.

If you've got a Santander Edge current account, you'll no longer earn 1% cashback on supermarket, fuel and travel spending from 9 September. The bank has today (20 May) confirmed it's axing the perk, though it will continue to pay 1% cashback on bills.

20 May 2025

For the past two years Nationwide has given some existing customers a £100 'Fairer Share' bonus. It’s likely, though not guaranteed, to do the same again this year. In previous years, the scheme has been announced in May and paid in June, though whether you got it depended on if you met the qualifying criteria in the first three months of the year – so you still have a bit of time left to maximise your chances.

18 March 2025

Open Banking allows you to share certain financial information that only you and your bank can see, such as your balance and transaction history, with other financial providers or services of your choosing. The idea is to make it easier for other organisations to use your data to personalise products or make suggestions on areas you can save. This guide takes you through how it works and if it's safe.

17 March 2025

Smartphone showing the Zing app next to a sleek black Zing physical card

If you're a Zing user, you should spend, move or withdraw your funds before it shuts down on 22 May 2025. It's unclear if you'll still be able to access your cash after this deadline, so it's best to move your money beforehand.

30 January 2025

Chase Bank's debit card beside a pound coin

If you took out Chase's popular boosted saver before 9 December 2024, your rate will drop from 4.5% to 3.5% after your boost comes to an end on Thursday 16 January. Chase will also cut the rates on ALL its savings by another 0.25 percentage points in February. The changes mean you can earn more on your savings elsewhere – though Chase is still worth keeping for its debit card cashback.

16 January 2025

Nationwide has raised the fee on its popular FlexPlus packaged bank account from £13 to £18 a month – a £60 a year increase. So now's a good time to check if you're still getting value from the perks or whether you should ditch and switch.

3 December 2024

The base rate has been cut to 4.75% from 5% by the Bank of England. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money, so the move can impact mortgage and savings rates.

13 November 2024