Switching is an easy way to open a new current account and close your old account with your previous bank or building society. The Current Account Switch Service is safe and secure - guaranteed. All of your existing payments are moved from your old account to your new current account - you don't have to do anything, we'll take care of it for you.
If your new bank or building society agrees, current accounts that include an overdraft can switch using the Current Account Switch Service. If you’d like to have an overdraft with your new current account, speak to us before starting your switch. We can advise you if you’re eligible for an overdraft, dependent on our lending criteria and your credit status.
Once this current account has opened, you can choose your switching date.
Your switching date must be at least 7 working days from your new account opening with us.
Once you've chosen your switching date, the process of switching starts.
We’ll let your old bank/building society know that you are moving to us.
Regular payments include Direct Debits, standing orders and bills.
We set up all the payments on your new current account, inform all your Direct Debit originators that you've moved current accounts and give them your new details, including your employer so that your salary can be redirected.
You don’t need to make any calls to anybody, we’ll take care of everything for you.
You’ll be able to see the balance from your old account in your new current account.
We’ll contact you to let you know the move is complete.
After your switch, We will arrange for payments made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account.
We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details.
We have designed the Current Account Switch Service to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take seven working days.
As your new current-account provider we offer the following guarantee:
If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current accounts as a result of this failure.Yes, so long as you have an annual turnover that does not exceed £6.5 million and you employ fewer than 50 people. If you are a small trust with a net asset value of less than £6.5 million you can also use the service. If you are still unsure whether you qualify, speak to your new bank or building society.
No, we can’t switch savings accounts or ISAs.
Yes, as long as both parties agree to the switch and you are switching to another joint account. It is not possible to use the service to switch a joint account to a sole account.
If your new bank or building society agrees, bank accounts that include an overdraft can switch using the Current Account Switch Service. And if you’d like to have an overdraft with your new bank account, speak to your new bank or building society before starting your switch. Your new bank or building society will be able to advise if you’re eligible for an overdraft, dependent on their lending criteria and your credit status
Yes, all banks and building societies that display the Current Account Switch Guarantee Trustmark will follow the same switching process and must offer the same guarantees. There are over 40 participating banks and building societies in the UK and you can see them here.
If your old or new bank is not signed up with us, then you won’t be able to use the Current Account Switch Service. You should talk to your new bank to find out how to switch your account.
As a participant of the Current Account Switch Service, your new bank or building society guarantees your switching process. Bacs, the people behind Direct Debits and Direct Credits in the UK, manage and oversee the service.
Yes, you can choose and agree a switch date with your new bank or building society. Just make sure you allow seven working days for the switch to take place and that your chosen date isn’t a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday.
Account opening and account switching are separate processes. Your new bank or building society has to carry out ‘know your customer’ security checks as part of their account opening process. Once these are complete to the satisfaction of the new bank or building society, you can choose and agree your switch date.
Once you have applied for and opened your new account, you can choose the switch date to suit you. The date of your switch must be at least seven working days from this point.
No. The Current Account Switch Service will take care of all payment arrangements at your old bank up until 7 working days before your agreed switch date. If you want to set up new payment arrangements during the 7 working day period leading up to your switch date you must do this on your new account.
Your old bank will close your old account as part of the switching process. This ensures that any payments made to your old account are automatically redirected to your new account.
If you want to, you can switch and keep the old account open, but you won’t be able to use the Current Account Switch Service.
All incoming and outgoing payments will be automatically redirected to your new account. Each time a payment is redirected, an automatic message is sent back to the originator advising them of your new account details so they can update their records. Some organisations may contact you directly to confirm your details have changed. If you do not want your new details to be given to someone who sends a one-off payment, contact your new bank.
You will be able to access the funds in your old account up to and until your switch date, when they will be transferred to your new account.
Yes, if the new account is open and you have money in it (or an overdraft agreement) then you can use it.
The Current Account Switch Service will not interfere with this process and any debit card or Direct Debit transactions that you have asked your bank to stop should remain stopped after your switch.
You can cancel your switch up to seven working days before you switch date. After that only certain elements can be cancelled. Your new bank or building society will guide you through this process if you decide to cancel your switch.
If the details you provide to your new bank do not match those held by your old bank you may be asked to contact your old bank and update them. Examples include if you have got married and not changed your maiden name to your married name, or if you have moved house and not told your old bank your new address. When you are updating your details with your old bank you do not have to tell them that you will be switching to a new bank.
In the unlikely even that there are any issues in starting the switch, we will inform you before your switch date. If anything goes wrong, we will ensure that any charges or interest incurred on your old and/or new account as a result of the error will be refunded. It is for your new bank to decide whether you receive compensation above and beyond the refund.
No, providing you repay any outstanding overdraft on your previous account as required by your old bank or building society. If there are any problems with payments as part of the switching process, your new bank or building society will correct them and ensure your credit rating is not affected.
Yes, any payments made to your old account will automatically be redirected to your new account. Each time a payment is redirected, an automatic message is sent back to the originator advising them of your new account details so they can update their records. Some organisations may contact you directly to confirm your details have been changed. Let your new bank know if you do not want them to provide your details to anyone.
If there’s a problem with your switch you should contact the bank or building society you are switching to. If you’ve got questions about the switching process, go to the Current Account Switch Service website.
If you’re missing a Direct Debit and your switch is complete, contact your new bank. Remember all payments are covered by the Current Account Switch Guarantee and any charges or interest incurred on your old or new account as a result of the error will be refunded.