How to switch your bank account
Why switch bank accounts?
Not all banks are the same, and some offer far higher interest rates and lower overdraft fees than others, not to mention better customer service.
Better still, the Current Account Switch Service means that your new provider does most of the admin for you.
Here, we reveal the banks offering the biggest incentives to switchers and the pitfalls to look out for.
Best bank account switching bonuses
We don't recommend switching just because a bank is offering short-term perks – we think you should focus on interest rates, overdraft charges and its Which? customer score.
But if you're already looking to move, it's worth seeing what incentives are on offer:
| Provider | Account name | Switching bonus | Which? Customer Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Flex, FlexDirect, FlexPlus | £200 (a) | 81% |
| Santander | Edge, Edge Up, Everyday, Private | £180 | 73% |
| First Direct (Which? Recommended Provider) | 1st Account | £175 | 83% |
| TSB | Spend & Save, Spend & Save Plus | £100 | 68% |
| Danske Bank | Choice, Reward, Freedom | £100 | n/a |
Table notes: Data correct as of 6 June 2025. Which? customer score: Our rating for customer satisfaction, based on feedback from real customers. The score is made up of a customer's overall satisfaction with the brand and how likely they are to recommend that brand to a friend. We surveyed 4,550 members of the public in August 2023. Our full table includes scores and star ratings for all banks, including those chosen to be a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP). (a) Offer only available to Nationwide members who have had a qualifying mortgage, savings or current account as of 31 March 2025.
Bank switching offer reviews
Nationwide - £200
Nationwide members who had a mortgage, savings or current account on 31 March 2025 are eligible for a bonus of £200 when they switch to a FlexPlus, FlexDirect or Flexaccount current account.
You must complete a full switch via the Current Account Switch Service, which involves closing your old account, moving over at least 2 Direct Debits as part of the switch and completing the switch within 28 days. Within 31 days of opening the account you must pay in at least £1,000 and make at least 1 debit card payment.
The FlexDirect account has no monthly fee and pays 5% AER on your balance for the first 12 months, and 1% thereafter. You can earn up to £5 per month cashback for 12 months on qualifying debit card purchases.
FlexPlus is Nationwide's packaged current account and is a Which? Best Buy. For £18 per month it includes worldwide travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and vehicle breakdown cover in the UK and Europe.
Nationwide current account holders have access to exclusive savings accounts, and eligible account holders benefit from a £50 interest-free overdraft.
You're not eligible if you have benefitted from one of Nationwide's current account switch offers since 2021, unless you are switching between sole and joint accounts that haven't had the offer previously.
Santander - £180
New customers can receive £180 when they switch to Santander using the Current Account Switch Service, close their old account, pay at least £1,500 into the account and have at least 2 active direct debits. Customers who opened a Santander account after 1 January 2025 can still benefit from this offer if they fully switch to their Santander account and close their non-Santander account.
The Edge account has a £3 monthly fee and pays 1% cashback on selected household bills, up to £10 per month. The Edge Up account has a monthly fee of £5 and pays 1% cashback on selected household bills, up to £15 per month, as well as 2.5% AER interest on balances up to £25,000. Until 9 September 2025, spending on groceries and travel also qualify for cashback. Edge customers also have access to the Santander Edge Saver, which offers 6% AER on balances up to £4,000. This includes a bonus rate of 2% for the first 12 months.
You are not eligible if you held a Santander account on or before 1 January 2025 or have ever received a Santander switch incentive.
First Direct - £175
To qualify for the switching bonus, you must use the Current Account Switch Service and move across at least two Direct Debits or standing orders. You must also deposit at least £1,000 into your account, make at least five debit card payments and log on to online banking within 45 days.
The £175 will be credited to your account on the 20th of the month after you meet the switching criteria.
This account also includes a £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status) and gives you access to the Regular Saver Account, which offers 7% fixed AER for 12 months on deposits between £25 and £300 per month. Interest is added at the end of the year, and depositing the full £3,600 will earn you £136.50.
You're not eligible for this offer if you've previously held any First Direct financial product or if you opened a HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018.
TSB - £100
To qualify for the switching bonus, before 19 July 2025 you must open a Spend & Save account and complete a full switch, log into the TSB mobile banking app and make at least 5 payments using your new debit card. The £100 bonus will be paid to you between 2 and 16 August 2025. You can also earn up to £90 in cashback - up to £15 per month for up to 6 months - if you make 20 or more debit card payments in a calendar month.
In January 2026 you can also earn a bonus reward if you have completed the switching steps above and you make 20 or more debit card payments in December 2025. You can choose between a £120 hotel voucher or access to the National Activities Network for 12 months.
You are not eligible for the switch incentive if you have received a switch incentive or benefit from TSB since 1 October 2022. Note that while the Spend & Save account is free, the Spend & Save Plus account has a monthly fee of £3.
Danske Bank - £100
To qualify for the switching bonus, you must deposit at least £1,000, as well as sign up for and use online banking within 60 days of opening the account. You can earn an additional £25 per month for up to three months by completing 11 debit card transactions per month
The Danske Choice account has no monthly fee. The Danske Reward account has a monthly fee of £2, but will credit your account with £5 in every month that you have paid in at least £1,000, completed at least 8 debit card purchases and received statements digitally.
This offer also applies to the Danske Freedom account, which is aimed at young adults and offers an optional interest-free overdraft of up to £3,000.
You must be a new Danske Bank personal account customer. You must complete a full switch of your existing current account via the Current Account Switch Service.
How do I switch bank accounts?
There are plenty of reasons to switch bank accounts, as our video explains:
Most banks have agreed to use the new switching service, which means it should take just seven working days to switch you over from your old account once the new account is opened.
If you want to check which banks and building societies are participating, you can search by name here on the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) website.
The switching service is largely automated. The step-by-step process below details exactly what happens.
Step 1: find your new bank account
If you don't yet have an account in mind, you can skip to our advice on choosing the best current account below.
Step 2: apply for your chosen account
When you apply to the new provider, it will undertake its normal account-opening procedures.
Banks and building societies have to comply with strict money-laundering rules, so when you open an account you'll be asked to provide two separate documents for proof of identity and proof of address.
You'll then need to complete a Current Account Switch Agreement form and a Current Account Closure Instruction form provided by your new bank or building society.
Step 3: know your rights
Your new bank or building society will confirm whether it's using the Current Account Switching Service, which is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee.
This guarantee means that it will correct any problems with payments as a result of the switching process.
Step 4: choose a switch date
You'll be able to agree a convenient switch date for you with the new bank or building society.
It can't be a Saturday, Sunday or a bank holiday, and must be at least seven working days after your account has been opened.
Once this date has been agreed, your new bank will provide confirmation that the switch has begun and will be completed on the agreed switch date.
You'll continue using your old current account up until the agreed switching date, although don't set up new payments such as direct debits and standing orders during the seven working days leading up to your agreed switch date.
Your new provider will contact you if there are any issues during this period.
Step 5: start using your new account
On the switch date, your new bank or building society will be responsible for moving your incoming and outgoing payments and transferring any money to your new account before closing the old account and sending confirmation that the process is complete.