Monzo + IFTTT: Everyday Automation through Programmable Money

We summarise recent work performed by the authors, where we conducted a qualitative study of the recent integration of a UK-based, digital-first mobile banking app - Monzo - with the web automation service IFTTT. Through analysis of 113 unique IFTTT ‘recipes’ shared by Monzo users, we illustrate the potentially diverse functions of these recipes. Beyond achieving more convenient and efficient financial management, we note many playful and expressive applications of conditionality and automation that far extend traditional functions of banking applications and infrastructure. We highlight the different aspects of automation created by these non-expert users to achieve, often novel, financial automation.