Best current accounts
Get up to £300 to switch, up to 8% interest or up to 3% cashback
Switching to a new current account is quick, easy and can earn you up to £300 in free cash & perks. Yet you can get plenty of perks without switching bank account, including up to 3% cashback on bills and decent savings interest. This guide explains it all and helps you choose one that works best for your personal needs.
Top-pick bank accounts
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Top bonuses for switching (see full list)
New. Barclays: FREE up to £300
Ends Wed 7 Oct. Santander: FREE £240.
HSBC: FREE £220 -
Top for ongoing cashback & perks
Santander: 1% bills cashback
Zopa: 3% bills cashback
Chase: 2% spending cashback -
Top for savings interest
Chase: 4.5% variable for a year -
Top accounts if you're overdrawn
First Direct: £250 0% overdraft
Switching bank accounts: what you need to know
Banks offer a range of perks to try and win your custom – from free cash for switching to cashback, interest-free overdrafts and even insurance. The upfront bonus is tempting, but make sure the ongoing perks suit how you use your account. Before diving into the top picks, here are the key things to know about switching:
1. Switching is quick – it takes just seven working days
The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) moves your balance, Direct Debits and standing orders across, and closes your old account. Recurring card payments (for example, subscriptions) don't move, so you’ll need to update these manually. It’s also worth downloading a few years’ statements before switching, in case you need them later.
To switch, open a new account with your chosen bank and request the switch during the application. As long as both banks are signed up to CASS (most major banks are – see the full list), it'll all happen automatically. If anything goes wrong, you’re covered, and payments such as your salary will be redirected for up to three years.
Many have made £1,000s regularly switching bank. See our How often can you switch bank accounts? guide for inspiration.
2. You must switch to a different banking group to be eligible for switch bonuses
Banks don't just want to gain your custom, they want to take your custom away from another bank. For this reason, most free-cash switcher deals require a full switch via the Current Account Switch Service, which means closing an old current account and moving everything across.
It also means that you'll need to switch from a bank account that doesn't belong to the same banking group – otherwise you'd only be shifting your custom from one part of the firm to another. Below is a list of banks which regularly offer switch bonuses, along with the other banks in their groups.
Banks and building societies that are part of the same group
HSBC & First Direct |
NatWest, RBS & Ulster Bank |
Nationwide & Virgin Money |
Lloyds, Halifax & Bank of Scotland |
Santander, Cahoot & Cater Allen |
Barclays & Tesco Bank |
Co-op Bank & Smile |
3. Check switch requirements – most need 2+ Direct Debits
Most switch deals need at least two active Direct Debits, and sometimes a set number of debit card transactions, to get the switching incentives. An ‘active’ Direct Debit is one that’s paid out in the last 13 months.
It's also a good time to do a quick Direct Debit audit and cancel any you don't need.
4. Watch out for minimum pay-in requirements
Many accounts require you to pay in a set amount each month to get perks or avoid fees. If you can’t afford the minimum, there’s a workaround: say you need £1,000 but only have £500 coming in – pay it in, move it out the next day, then pay it back in. Bingo, that’s your £1,000. Some banks may check your income when you apply, so make sure you’re likely to qualify.
5. You can switch if you’re overdrawn – but check first
You can switch if you're in your overdraft, but how it works will depend on the bank you're looking to switch to. Your new bank will need to agree to match the amount you're overdrawn by. If it does, they'll send the amount you owe to your old bank, so you'll now owe your new bank instead.
If the new bank doesn't agree to an overdraft, or the one it offers you is smaller than the amount you currently owe, you'll need to repay the existing overdraft balance (or at least the difference) with your old bank. This repayment will be arranged by the old bank, who will likely set up a repayment plan. Full info in interest-free (or cheap) overdrafts.
6. Most accounts require a not-too-harsh credit check
Most banks will run a credit check when you apply, even if you don’t want an overdraft, to confirm your identity and assess your application. If you’re declined, don’t assume others will reject you too – criteria differ. Avoid applying for lots of accounts at once, as this can affect your credit record.
7. You can have more than one current account
There’s no limit to how many accounts you can have, so you can open multiple to earn different perks or switch bonuses. But applying for lots in a short space of time can affect your credit record, and it can get harder to keep track of payments and Direct Debits.
8. Your money is safe in a bank account
Your money is secure – the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) guarantees up to £120,000 per person, per financial institution. This means that if your bank ever went bust, you would be guaranteed your money back (up to £120,000).
9. On Universal Credit? There may be an extra step to switching
You can switch if you’re on Universal Credit, but after updating your UC account by reporting a change to your bank account, you may be asked to visit a Jobcentre to verify your ID – especially with app-based banks. This isn’t a problem with your claim, just a security check.
To avoid hiccups, switch just after a payment, update your UC account as soon as the switch completes, and be ready to show ID, your bank card and a statement if asked.
Martin has called on ministers to make this simpler and fairer – read Martin Lewis's letter to the Government for more.
Top bonuses for switching bank
Banks often offer switch incentives – usually free cash, sometimes boosted savings rates or other perks – to get you to open an account and switch from a rival.
Always check the requirements carefully. If you miss a step you won’t get the bonus.
Earn £75,000+ a year? See top deals for higher earners below.
Key info: Who can get bonus? | New. FREE £300 (£150 upfront & £30/month for five months), plus optional half-price Apple TV. The Barclays Bank Account pays £150 upfront for switching 3+ Direct Debits and paying in a monthly salary of £2,000+ in the first month. For the five £30 payments, pay in a £2,000+ & make 10+ debit card payments in each of the next five months. Plus, for an optional £5/month fee you can join its Blue Rewards scheme to get Apple TV at half its usual cost (normally £10/month). If you go for this you'll also need to pay in £800+/month & register for digital banking. How to get £150 bonus: How to get extra £150 bonus: |
Key info: Who can get bonus? | Ends 11.59pm Wed 7 Oct. FREE £240 on a fee-free bank account with a top 8% regular saver. The Santander Everyday* account is fee-free and comes with a top 8% variable regular saver on up to £200 a month for a year (max £104/year interest). How to get £240 bonus: |
Key info: | FREE £220 from a bank which rarely offers fee-free bank switch bonuses. This HSBC Bank Account* FREE £220 switch bonus is up there with the top cash incentives this year. You'll need to deposit £2,000+ and spend £500+ on the debit card in the first 60 days but this shouldn't be a hassle for most. The account also gives access to HSBC's regular saver paying 5% fixed interest on up to £250 a month for one year. Importantly, given the switch bonus offer only excludes those who've had a HSBC or First Direct account since 1 Jan 2023, you may find you're eligible for the offer even if you switch banks a lot. How to get £220 bonus: |
Key info: | Boosted. FREE £210, 7% saver, TOP service, fee-free overseas spending & £250 0% overdraft for many. The First Direct 1st account* has a boosted £210 free cash (usually £175). The key perks include: - Top service (90% 'great') - it's topped almost every poll we've ever done. How to get £210 bonus: |
Club Lloyds* Key info: | FREE £200, 6.25% regular saver, fee-free spending overseas, possible £100 0% overdraft buffer, plus a choice of reward (eg, Disney+). As well as the upfront switch cash, with Club Lloyds* you can choose from the following rewards each year: 12 months' Disney+ (with ads), six cinema tickets, a Coffee Club & Gourmet Society membership, or a subscription to a magazine. You also get access to a linked regular saver paying 6.25% fixed interest for a year on up to £250/month, a possible £100 0% overdraft buffer, and the debit card has no fees on overseas spending with near-perfect exchange rates. Another Lloyds option: How to get the £200 bonus: |
NatWest Reward | FREE £200 upfront, plus £24 a year cashback & 5.25% interest linked regular saver. The NatWest Reward pays £4 cashback each month you pay in £1,250+ and pay out 2+ Direct Debits of £2+. Factoring in the £2/month fee, that's a net gain of £24/year. There's also a 5.25% variable linked regular saver which works differently to most. Here you can put up to £150 a month into it, but rather than only lasting a year, you can keep saving up to a maximum of £5,000 (this takes ~3 years if you save the max each month). So, if you can leave your money untouched for longer, this can be lucrative. How to get £200 bonus: Other NatWest options (both qualify for bonus): |
Key info: | FREE £175, plus 5% interest on up to £1,500 for a year, up to £120/yr cashback on spending & bills, 6.5% regular saver & a £50 0% overdraft. With Nationwide FlexDirect, on top of the free £175, newbies will get... - 5% in-credit interest on current account balances up to £1,500 for a year (maxed out that's £75). You also get access to a linked regular saver paying 6.5% variable interest for a year on up to £200/month (maxed out that's £84/year interest). How to get £175 bonus: Other Nationwide options (both qualify for bonus): |
All have FSCS savings protection of up to £120,000. See top banks for customer service for more on our service ratings.
These banks share the same group and FSCS protection: Santander, Cahoot and Cater Allen | HSBC and First Direct | NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank | Nationwide and Virgin Money.
High-earner? You could get up to £600 by switching bank
Recently there's been a slew of 'premier accounts' offering switch bonuses, aimed at those with large annual salaries. The switch bonuses are higher, though the accounts are more difficult to qualify for – for the deals currently available you'll need to earn £75,000+ a year (or have large savings with that bank).
Barclays Premier | New. FREE up to £600 & Apple TV & possible £500 0% overdraft. The Barclays Premier pays £450 upfront for switching 3+ Direct Debits and paying in a monthly salary of £5,000+ in the first month. For the five £30 payments, pay in a £5,000+ & make 10+ debit card payments in each of the next five months. You also get its Blue Rewards perks for free, eg, free Apple TV subscription, including Major League Soccer. Many can also get a 0% overdraft on up to £500 (subject to credit check). How to get £450 bonus: How to get extra £150 bonus: Not a high earner? Barclays' Bank account pays up to £300 to switch to it. |
HSBC Premier* | FREE £500 plus family travel insurance & digital GP access. The HSBC Premier* account gives £500 upfront (was £250) plus worldwide family travel insurance (up to age 69) and digital GP access. Key requirements: |
NatWest Premier Reward | FREE £500 plus £7/month cashback. The NatWest Premier Reward account gives switchers £500 upfront, plus you get £9 cashback each month you pay out two £4.50+ Direct Debits and use the app. There's a £2/month account fee, so that's a net gain of £7/month. Key requirements: Not a high earner? NatWest's Reward account pays £200 to switch to it. |
Don’t want to switch? Top accounts for ongoing cashback & perks
Even if you don’t want to switch your main account to grab a switching bonus, you can still open a second account just for the perks – leaving your everyday banking untouched. Done right, this can earn you £100s a year in cashback and rewards.
Below are our top picks for ongoing rewards (ignoring switch bonuses), so you can compare and pick what suits you.
They’re quick to open alongside your main account. Just note some require a minimum monthly pay-in or charge a fee – so only use them if the perks outweigh the cost. For example, you might use one just for bills to earn cashback, or for spending in certain categories.
And if you do decide to switch your main account, check the top switching deals first.
Santander Edge* Key info: | 1% cashback on bills, 6% easy-access saving, plus top debit card overseas. For a £3/month fee, Santander Edge* pays 1% cashback on household bills you pay by Direct Debit up to £10/month. For a typical home, that covers the fee and more. Its main perks are: |
Key info: | Fee-free 3% bills cashback on up to £150/mth, top debit card overseas. The Zopa Biscuit app-based current account is a great option as a separate bills account alongside your main bank account. When you get the account you choose from ONE of: - 3% cashback on up to £150/mth (so max £54/yr cashback) Direct Debits, including big bills like Council Tax, energy, water, mobile & home phone, broadband & paid TV bills. The account also comes with a top debit card for spending overseas with near-perfect exchange rates (but only £200/month fee-free ATM withdrawals). |
| 2% cashback on spending + 4.5% easy-access saver, 6.5% fixed regular saver & fee-free overseas spending. Chase* gives 2% cashback on UK groceries, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, everyday transport, fuel and at public EV charging points (exclusions apply), up to £20/month. You'll need to meet ongoing criteria: - Spend 15+ times a month on the card. Also offers a 4.5% easy-access saver for 12 months (2.25% variable + 2.25% bonus, up to £3m) if opened within 31 days. Plus there's a regular saver paying 6.5% fixed interest for 12 months on up to £300/month (maxed out, it's £125 interest a year). The debit card has no fees abroad, giving near-perfect rates, though there's no cashback for overseas spending. There’s also a round-up account paying 5% interest (eg, spend £1.45, save 55p). It's easy to open and only needs a soft credit check with no impact to your credit record. Key requirements: |
Key info: | Free 12 months’ Disney+ or 6 cinema tickets (or other perks) + 6.25% saver & fee-free overseas spending. You also get a 6.25% regular saver (max £250/mth for a year), plus interest on balances (1.5% up to £3,999 and 3% on £4,000–£5,000) if you have 2+ Direct Debits. The debit card has no fees for spending abroad with near-perfect exchange rates. Plus newbies can currently get a FREE £200 to switch. |
See top banks for customer service for more on our service ratings.
Next best accounts for cashback & perks
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Nationwide FlexDirect. Gives up to £120/yr cashback, comprising £5 each month you spend £500+ and £5 each month you pay £300+ in Direct Debits (must pay in £1,500+ each month to qualify). (PS: You can currently get £175 FREE cash to switch).
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NatWest Reward. You get £2 net cashback (£4/month cashback but £2/month fee) each month you pay in £1,250+ and pay out 2+ Direct Debits of £2+. Also available with sister bank RBS. (PS: Newbies can currently get £200 FREE cash to switch).
Top bank accounts that pay savings interest
You don't have to switch to the accounts below to get the interest. And for comparison, the top easy-access savings deal open to all pays 5%.
Top bank accounts that pay savings interest (or have linked savers that do) | |
Chase current account* | 4.5% easy-access saver, 6.5% regular saver & 2% cashback on supermarket, transport & dining spend. Newbies who open a Chase current account* can also open its linked easy-access saver within 31 days of opening the account, which gives 4.5%. This is comprised of 2.25% variable + 2.25% fixed 12mth bonus, min 1p, max £3m. Plus there's a 'round-up' account which pays 5% interest (spend £1.45 & 55p is saved into it). Plus there's a regular saver paying 6.5% fixed interest for 12 months on up to £300/month (maxed out, it's £125 interest a year). You also get 2% cashback on groceries, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, everyday transport, fuel and at public EV charging points (exclusions apply), up to £20/month – you'll need to spend 15+ times a month on the card and have £1,000+ in Chase savings accounts to qualify for cashback. |
Account info: | Get 3.75% interest on current account balances. LHV bank pays interest on its current account balance – ideal if you're less keen to regularly move money into dedicated savings accounts. The rate is variable and matches the Bank of England base rate, which currently stands at 3.75%. LHV bank has the full UK savings safety protection, so anything £120,000 or under is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Note: there are some limits to the LHV current account, eg: it currently does not offer the option of setting up standing orders. |
Get 6% on up to £4,000 for a year via top bills-cashback account£3/month fee, plus must pay in £500+ & have 2+ Direct Debits going out each month | |
Santander Edge* Account info: | Unbeatable 6% interest on £4,000 & 1% bills cashback... for a fee. Santander Edge* has a £3/month fee but comes with a linked saver paying 6% variable interest for a year on up to £4,000. Even after the fee, if you can save the max, it beats all the options above. The current account also pays 1% bills cashback (max £10/month) on Council Tax, energy, water, mobile & home phone, broadband & paid TV bills you pay from it by Direct Debit. |
Top bank accounts if you're overdrawn
Overdrafts are debts – and one of the most expensive, even if it's an arranged overdraft – so pay it off as soon as you can. See our Cut overdraft costs guide for full help with this.
The accounts below offer interest-free (or cheap) overdrafts which could help you cut costs, though do remember that you're not guaranteed to get an overdraft when you apply. These banks all have overdraft eligibility checkers that will show your acceptance odds before you apply with no impact to your credit history.
You can switch if you're in your overdraft, but how it works will depend on the bank you're switching to. Read our full explainer if you want to switch to one of the accounts below.
First Direct 1st Account* Account info: | Ongoing £250 interest-free overdraft and TOP service. First Direct's 1st Account* offers many a £250 0% overdraft, though it's not guaranteed – so use the bank's eligibility checker before applying (follow that link and scroll down to the 'How our overdraft works' dropdown, and the checker's linked from there). Expensive interest kicks in above that, so this account's likely only good if you use your overdraft for limited amounts. Plus, you can currently get a boosted £210 FREE cash if you switch (usually £175). You can switch from an account that's overdrawn, but the debt will remain with the old bank and you'll need to clear it separately. So if you're approved for the full £250 0% overdraft and you qualify for the free £210, you can transfer up to £460 to your old bank to reduce or clear what you owe. You'll still be overdrawn on your new account, but it'll be interest-free, so you can gradually pay it off without any interest accruing. |
Starling* | No 0% overdraft, but a chance of a lower interest rate. Starling* has tiered overdraft rates, and all tiers are cheaper than most other banks. You can control your overdraft limit in its app, and set up spending notifications if you're about to go into (or are already in) your overdraft. The rate and limit you get are credit score dependent – use its eligibility checker before applying to get an indication. |
Club Lloyds* Account info: | Small £100 overdraft buffer, from an account with a fee. The Club Lloyds* account costs £5 a month (waived if you pay in £2,000 a month) and comes with a choice of perk such as 12mths Disney+ or six cinema tickets. On top of this, there's a potential £100 overdraft buffer, which could be handy for occasionally dipping into if required. Though be aware, there's expensive interest of 29.9% EAR after this. Plus newbies can currently get a FREE £200 to switch. |
All have Financial Services Compensation Scheme savings protection of up to £120,000. First Direct's is shared with HSBC. See top banks for customer service for more on our service ratings.
Other types of top bank accounts
If none of the above suit your needs, or you're looking for something specific, we've rounded up other types of bank accounts you could get...
Top bank accounts for insurance
Packaged bank accounts offer various insurance perks (usually travel insurance, mobile phone cover and breakdown cover) for a monthly fee. If you pay for all of these already, a packaged bank account could save you £100s. They're complex and there's a lot to explain, so see our packaged bank accounts guide for full info.
Top app-based bank accounts
Some banks, such as Chase, Monzo, Revolut, Starling and Kroo operate entirely via an app or online, without any branches. They offer the same core current-account features, but often add tools such as instant spending notifications, budgeting pots and bill splitting.
App-based accounts can be relatively straightforward to apply for because the application and identity checks are done digitally, but eligibility checks vary by provider. Most only do a soft search of your credit history - unless you're also applying for an overdraft, in which case a hard check will be done. We've compared the top app-based bank accounts in our full guide.
Top banks for customer service
Every six months, we run a poll asking for your opinions on the quality of banks' customer service. We ask for a rating of 'great', 'OK' or 'poor' and tally them up as a rough indicator of how well each bank is performing.
Below are the results of our most recent poll in July 2026. We've ranked it by allocating two points for each percentage point 'great' and one point for each percentage point 'ok'...
Bank or building society | Percentage 'great' | Percentage 'OK' | Percentage 'poor' | Total responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First Direct | 90% | 5% | 5% | 509 |
Nationwide | 85% | 9% | 6% | 723 |
Starling | 84% | 6% | 10% | 83 |
Monzo | 77% | 15% | 8% | 87 |
Chase | 72% | 18% | 10% | 116 |
Virgin Money | 49% | 32% | 19% | 53 |
Co-op Bank | 52% | 25% | 23% | 71 |
NatWest | 50% | 27% | 23% | 216 |
Santander | 45% | 33% | 22% | 346 |
Barclays | 43% | 31% | 25% | 197 |
Bank of Scotland | 47% | 24% | 29% | 51 |
Lloyds | 47% | 22% | 31% | 344 |
RBS | 40% | 28% | 32% | 50 |
TSB | 35% | 32% | 33% | 57 |
Halifax | 33% | 28% | 39% | 162 |
HSBC | 32% | 27% | 41% | 166 |
These banking service ratings are from our July 2026 poll of 2,700 people. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number. Only banks with at least 50 responses have been included. See the full poll results for more detailed info.
Need a bank account for a child or student?
They say to respect your elders, but banks certainly pull out the stops to appeal to younger generations too...
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Children's bank accounts. These are generally aimed at those between 11 and 17. They are usually just like 'grown up' accounts, but without the overdraft facility or credit check. Some also ban kids from spending at places such as gambling sites and off licences. For full info, see our Children's bank accounts guide, which also includes info on prepaid cards for kids, in case that's a better option for your child.
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Student bank accounts. These are different from accounts above as they tend to offer large 0% overdrafts while you're studying. For the top accounts and key info, see our dedicated Student bank accounts guide.
What is a current account?
A current account is a type of bank account used for everyday banking which keeps your money secure and helps you manage your finances. It gives you an easy way to make payments to others (for example, standing orders and Direct Debits) and have people pay you (for example, your employer). You'll also get a debit card, which allows you to make payments and withdraw cash from a cash machine.
While you may use other money products, such as credit cards and savings accounts, it's generally your current account that lets you make payments into each one, or pay bills, meaning everything works smoothly together.
Other top MSE banking guides...
Packaged accounts: Save £100s on insurance
Need a business bank account?: For the self-employed
Basic bank accounts: For those with poor credit histories
Digital banking: Learn about app-based banks
Ethical banking: Can you do good with your bank account?
Best way to send money internationally. If sending cash abroad.
How do I open a current account?
Opening a current account is an easy process which usually plays out in the following way:
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You complete an application form. This can be done most simply online, though many banks do allow you to open an account in person or over the phone if you prefer. It'll ask you a number of questions regarding your personal and financial circumstances, and usually takes around 10 minutes to complete. Sometimes there could be extra steps – such as supplying ID or payslips – although this is rare.
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You agree to the bank credit-checking you. This is regardless of whether or not you request an overdraft – most banks use information from credit reference agencies to confirm that you are who you say you are. This may seem unnecessary, but banks are legally bound to ensure they do not facilitate money laundering, and establishing a customer's true identity helps them to do that.
For full information on setting up an account, head to our How to open a bank account guide.
Want to complain about your bank account?
If your bank has charged you the wrong amount, taken the wrong amount in payment or its service has been atrocious, then you don't have to suffer in silence.
It's always worth trying to call the bank first to see if it can help, but if not, you can use free complaints tool Resolver. The tool helps you manage your complaint, and if the company doesn't play ball, it also helps you escalate your complaint to the free Financial Ombudsman Service.
Bank account FAQs
Here are some common bank account related queries. If you've got a question we've not answered below or in the text above, suggest a question in the MSE Forum.
What happens if I've sent money to the wrong account?
Contact your bank immediately. Most banks use Confirmation of Payee (CoP) to help prevent mistakes, like inputting the wrong account number or sort code. If the name doesn't match, the bank will let you know so you can amend any errors before making the payment.
If your money does go to the wrong account, your bank will try to recover it. Most banks follow a voluntary code under which they should start investigating within two working days and tell you the outcome within 20 working days – though there's no guarantee you'll get the money back. Make sure you keep a record of when the payment was made and when you reported it.
Do I pay tax on bank account rewards and switching bonuses?
Switching bonuses are normally tax-free, but some regular bank rewards can be taxable. If a cash reward counts as a taxable 'annual payment', the bank will normally deduct basic-rate tax before paying it. Higher or additional-rate taxpayers may then have extra tax to pay.
Cashback you earn as a percentage of your spending isn't normally taxable, as HMRC treats this as a discount or rebate on what you've spent, rather than income.
Taxable bank rewards don't count towards your Personal Savings Allowance, as they're not treated as savings interest.
Is there a way to track down old bank accounts?
In the UK, old, now-dormant accounts hold millions of pounds that lay unclaimed – and if you've switched several times, you may still have old accounts that were never closed.
It's straightforward to get it back – we've full details in the Reclaim forgotten cash guide.
Can't get a standard bank account? Try a basic one
If you're rejected for a standard current account, you may still be able to get a basic bank account. These let you do most everyday banking, but don't offer an overdraft.
What's the difference between a Direct Debit, standing order and recurring payment?
A Direct Debit lets a company take payments from your bank account, with protection under the Direct Debit guarantee (meaning you're entitled to a refund if there are any errors in the payment). You can usually cancel Direct Debit payments through your online banking or app.
A standing order is a fixed regular payment you set up and control yourself. You can cancel or change it anytime through your online or app.
A recurring card payment (or continuous payment authority – CPA) allows a company take a regular ongoing payment using your debit or credit card details. You'll know if it's a recurring payment if you give the company your 16-digit card number, rather than your bank account number and sort code. An example is a monthly TV streaming service. You have to ask your bank or retailer to cancel these payments.
See our Bank statement abbreviations guide for an explainer for what the terms on your statement actually mean.
Can I switch a sole account to a joint account and vice versa?
If you want to join finances with a partner, it's possible to use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) to switch a sole account to a joint account. Do remember that this'll link your finances (even if your application is unsuccessful), so their credit record could affect yours – always think carefully before doing so.
This doesn't work the other way round, so you can't switch a joint account to a sole account using CASS.
Can I set up Direct Debits with charities to qualify for switch bonuses?
Yes, if the offer accepts them. But don't set up a charity Direct Debit just to cancel it immediately afterwards, as processing small donations can cost the charity money.
I have other products such as an ISA and credit card with my bank – what will happen to them if I switch away?
Most other products that you hold are totally separate, so moving your current account shouldn't affect them. Even if you have a Direct Debit set up to pay them, that'll automatically be moved to your new bank account for you.
There are some regular savings accounts that are linked to current accounts (where you get a special rate if you've got the current account) that you could lose if you move bank, so do check this.
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Best current accounts for switching
Switching’s usually easy and hassle-free. To get the bonuses, you’ll need to use the bank’s seven-working-day Current Account Switch Service. It closes your old account, moves your money, and shifts all Direct Debits and standing orders. Payments to your old account are auto-forwarded too. Most find it simple, though you’ll need to pass a light credit check.
Key info: Who can get bonus? | New. FREE £300 (£150 upfront & £30/month for five months), plus optional half-price Apple TV. The Barclays Bank Account pays £150 upfront for switching 3+ Direct Debits and paying in a monthly salary of £2,000+ in the first month. For the five £30 payments, pay in a £2,000+ & make 10+ debit card payments in each of the next five months. Plus, for an optional £5/month fee you can join its Blue Rewards scheme to get Apple TV at half its usual cost (normally £10/month). If you go for this you'll also need to pay in £800+/month & register for digital banking. How to get £150 bonus: How to get extra £150 bonus: |
Key info: Who can get bonus? | Ends 11.59pm Wed 7 Oct. FREE £240 on a fee-free bank account with a top 8% regular saver. The Santander Everyday* account is fee-free and comes with a top 8% variable regular saver on up to £200 a month for a year (max £104/year interest). How to get £240 bonus: |
Key info: | FREE £220 from a bank which rarely offers fee-free bank switch bonuses. This HSBC Bank Account* FREE £220 switch bonus is up there with the top cash incentives this year. You'll need to deposit £2,000+ and spend £500+ on the debit card in the first 60 days but this shouldn't be a hassle for most. The account also gives access to HSBC's regular saver paying 5% fixed interest on up to £250 a month for one year. Importantly, given the switch bonus offer only excludes those who've had a HSBC or First Direct account since 1 Jan 2023, you may find you're eligible for the offer even if you switch banks a lot. How to get £220 bonus: |
Key info: | Boosted. FREE £210, 7% saver, TOP service, fee-free overseas spending & £250 0% overdraft for many. The First Direct 1st account* has a boosted £210 free cash (usually £175). The key perks include: - Top service (90% 'great') - it's topped almost every poll we've ever done. How to get £210 bonus: |
Club Lloyds* Key info: | FREE £200, 6.25% regular saver, fee-free spending overseas, possible £100 0% overdraft buffer, plus a choice of reward (eg, Disney+). As well as the upfront switch cash, with Club Lloyds* you can choose from the following rewards each year: 12 months' Disney+ (with ads), six cinema tickets, a Coffee Club & Gourmet Society membership, or a subscription to a magazine. You also get access to a linked regular saver paying 6.25% fixed interest for a year on up to £250/month, a possible £100 0% overdraft buffer, and the debit card has no fees on overseas spending with near-perfect exchange rates. Another Lloyds option: How to get the £200 bonus: |
NatWest Reward | FREE £200 upfront, plus £24 a year cashback & 5.25% interest linked regular saver. The NatWest Reward pays £4 cashback each month you pay in £1,250+ and pay out 2+ Direct Debits of £2+. Factoring in the £2/month fee, that's a net gain of £24/year. There's also a 5.25% variable linked regular saver which works differently to most. Here you can put up to £150 a month into it, but rather than only lasting a year, you can keep saving up to a maximum of £5,000 (this takes ~3 years if you save the max each month). So, if you can leave your money untouched for longer, this can be lucrative. How to get £200 bonus: Other NatWest options (both qualify for bonus): |
Key info: | FREE £175, plus 5% interest on up to £1,500 for a year, up to £120/yr cashback on spending & bills, 6.5% regular saver & a £50 0% overdraft. With Nationwide FlexDirect, on top of the free £175, newbies will get... - 5% in-credit interest on current account balances up to £1,500 for a year (maxed out that's £75). You also get access to a linked regular saver paying 6.5% variable interest for a year on up to £200/month (maxed out that's £84/year interest). How to get £175 bonus: Other Nationwide options (both qualify for bonus): |
All have FSCS savings protection of up to £120,000. See top banks for customer service for more on our service ratings.
These banks share the same group and FSCS protection: Santander, Cahoot and Cater Allen | HSBC and First Direct | NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank | Nationwide and Virgin Money.
Barclays Premier | New. FREE up to £600 & Apple TV & possible £500 0% overdraft. The Barclays Premier pays £450 upfront for switching 3+ Direct Debits and paying in a monthly salary of £5,000+ in the first month. For the five £30 payments, pay in a £5,000+ & make 10+ debit card payments in each of the next five months. You also get its Blue Rewards perks for free, eg, free Apple TV subscription, including Major League Soccer. Many can also get a 0% overdraft on up to £500 (subject to credit check). How to get £450 bonus: How to get extra £150 bonus: Not a high earner? Barclays' Bank account pays up to £300 to switch to it. |
HSBC Premier* | FREE £500 plus family travel insurance & digital GP access. The HSBC Premier* account gives £500 upfront (was £250) plus worldwide family travel insurance (up to age 69) and digital GP access. Key requirements: |
NatWest Premier Reward | FREE £500 plus £7/month cashback. The NatWest Premier Reward account gives switchers £500 upfront, plus you get £9 cashback each month you pay out two £4.50+ Direct Debits and use the app. There's a £2/month account fee, so that's a net gain of £7/month. Key requirements: Not a high earner? NatWest's Reward account pays £200 to switch to it. |
Looking for a different type of account?
There's no single 'best' bank account – it's important to choose one that works best for you. See top accounts for...
Quick bank-switching FAQs
Q. Can I switch more than once to collect multiple bonuses?
A. Yes – as long as you meet each bank's eligibility rules. You could even use a spare 'burner' account instead of your main account. See how to make £1,000s by repeatedly switching bank.
Q. Will switching affect my credit score?
A. One extra credit search shouldn't make much difference, though several in a short period can. If you're applying for a mortgage or other important borrowing soon, prioritise that and switch afterwards. See how switching banks affects your credit.
Q. Are subscriptions moved automatically?
A. The Current Account Switch Service doesn't move recurring debit card payments where you provided the long card number – for example, with Netflix or Disney+. You'll need to update these yourself. See our recurring-payment help.
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