Bank Accounts

Guides and tools to help you find the best current account

Top packaged bank accounts

Packaged bank accounts are the Marmite of banking – some love 'em, some hate 'em. They usually…

Top digital & app-based bank accounts

Digital and app-based banks come without the branch networks of the traditional banks, but…

Do I need a business bank account?

More than four million of us are now self-employed, freelancing, contracting or part of the…

Top cards for under-18s

If you have children under the age of 18 then a card could be a great alternative to cash to…

Basic bank accounts

If you've a poor credit score, you might have struggled to find a bank account that will accept…

Student bank accounts

Free 0% overdrafts, free railcards and free cash – banks love to reel in new students with…

Reclaim bank charges

Excess bank charges are no longer such an issue as many banks aren't charging fees for going…

Reclaim packaged bank account fees

If you pay a monthly fee for your bank account, you may be able to reclaim £100s or even £1,000s,…

Open Banking explained

Open Banking allows you to share certain financial information that only you and your bank…

Graduate accounts

Don't just stick with your student bank account after uni – loyalty can cost! Some banks let…

Do a direct debit audit

It's a shocking but typical example: "I've paid £16/month for white goods I no longer have…

Setting-off rules

What's it called when someone takes cash from your bank account without permission? Most would…

Credit Scores - Bust myths & improve your score

Everyone should take time to manage their credit report and score. Your credit report is vital…

Bank statement abbreviations

Know your BACS from your CHAPS, your APRs from your DDRs? There can be 100s of gibberish terms…

Sending Money Abroad

If you need to transfer money to friends, family or businesses overseas (or even to your own…

Interest rates

Interest rates indicate the price at which you can borrow money. It can get seriously complicated,…

The Budget Planner

The problem with most budgets is they don't work. While they look at a typical month's spending,…

Money transfer credit cards

A 0% money transfer allows you to shift cash from a card to your bank account to clear your…

Tax rates 2024/25

Nothing's as certain as death and taxes. Yet while there's no doubt we'll all be taxed, the…

Recurring card payments

If you've given your long debit or credit card number when paying for a subscription or other…

Which bank is best if you have power of attorney?

If you have Power of Attorney and manage somebody else's finances, choosing the best bank for…

How to open a bank account

With the wealth of options available, finding and setting up the right bank account –…

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There are many different bank accounts on offer, from current accounts to student accounts, and from app-based accounts to packaged accounts. In this section we have guides on the different types of bank accounts available and tips to help you find the right account for you.

Many banks and building societies offer switching incentives to new customers, it’s an easy process and you can often earn £100s in cash or vouchers. Our Best Bank Accounts guide explains it all and compares the best buys for you.

If you’re looking for a packaged bank account, you could also save £100s off the cost of breakdown cover, travel insurance and mobile insurance for yourself and your family. You need to be aware of several things before getting a packaged bank account, which usually provide breakdown cover, mobile and travel insurance for a monthly fee. Our guide will help you ensure this type of account is right for you and avoid a nasty shock when trying to use the benefits.

We also look at the cutting edge of bank accounts, reviewing the latest banking and savings apps to see which can give you a helping hand with budgeting, saving and managing your cash in a way traditional banks don't. We guide you through all the best buys, pros and cons in our App-based Banking guide.