The Age – Books (Australia)

Friends Are Now Joining Bank Accounts. There Are Risks, but Stephanie Has Found Reward

Australian influencers are popularising shared bank accounts between friends, a practice once limited to couples or family. Stephanie Leahy and housemate Phillip Gow have been using Up Bank’s “2Up” joint account since 2021 to pool income, track expenses and allocate surplus to priority buckets. Their experience, highlighted by a viral TikTok trend, reflects a 32% year‑over‑year rise in such accounts, driven largely by Gen Z and Millennial users. While the model demands high transparency, it has helped the pair stay financially afloat amid rising inflation.