Best bank account switching offers, cashback & incentives

9 min Read Published: 27 Mar 2024

The best bank switching, cashback and interest offers

Switching bank accounts got a whole lot easier on 16 September 2013 thanks to the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), brought in by regulators in a bid to boost competitiveness within the banking sector.

Previously, switching current accounts was seen as a nightmare, taking up to 30 days to complete and with little incentive to do so. It is perhaps unsurprising that consumers have typically only switched their bank once every 16 years.

In this article, we round up the best switching offers, cashback and interest rates so you can find the best current account for you.

How to switch current account

Under CASS, consumers are able to choose the date on which they want to transfer their current account and the whole process will not take more than 7 working days. Direct debits and standing orders will be automatically transferred to your new account, as will any payments sent to the old account (for a period of 13 months). If any payments are missed, they will guarantee to reimburse you in full.

Check before you switch

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects your savings for losses up to £85,000 (£170,000 for joint accounts) should your bank or building society go bust, as long as it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). However, the scheme protects your savings up to £85,000 per bank or building society providing the bank or building society has its own banking authorisation.

Some banks and building societies share their banking licence with other brands because they are part of a bigger group (for example, HSBC and First Direct). In these instances, you will only be covered for £85,000 across both banking brands for accounts in your sole name (£170,000 for joint accounts). Therefore, it is important to ensure that you understand how switching bank accounts will impact your protection under the FSCS when viewed in the context of your existing accounts.

This handy tool allows you to select the banks and building societies that you currently hold money with (or plan to hold money with) to see your level of protection under the FSCS if any of them were to go bust. For more information on the FSCS read our article, 'What is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?'

The best current account switch offers

Bank/Building Society Switching Offer Extra Benefits
First Direct £175 for new customers that switch to a 1st Account Access to £250 interest-free overdraft. Access to Regular Saver Account with 7.00% interest. No First Direct debit card fees when spending abroad.
Lloyds Bank £175 for customers that switch to a new Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver or Club Lloyds Platinum account^ Access to 0% interest free overdraft for first 3 months (must apply and be approved). Earn interest on balances up to £5,000 when you pay out two direct debits each month. Everyday Offers where you can earn up to 15% cashback with selected retailers. Choice of a yearly benefit from 12 months of Disney+, six cinema tickets, annual magazine subscription or annual Coffee Club and Gourmet Society membership. Club Lloyds Silver and Club Lloyds Platinum give you all of the above plus the added benefits of travel insurance, AA breakdown family cover with roadside assistance as well as mobile phone insurance.
NatWest/RBS/Ulster Bank £200 for customers that switch to a Select account with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank or a NatWest/RBS Reward account (monthly fee is payable) NatWest - Instant notifications, savings goals and round up features. 1% in Rewards with the NatWest Reward account (monthly fee applies) plus earn up to £5/month for using app and paying out two or more direct debits of at least £2. Can open linked 6.17% AER regular saver account.

RBS - Budgeting tools, view your credit score and sync additional accounts within the app. 1% in Rewards with the RBS Reward account (monthly fee applies) plus earn up to £5/month for using app and paying out two or more direct debits of at least £2. Can open linked 6.17% AER regular saver account.

Ulster Bank - Access to an emergency cash service (withdraw up to £300) if your debit card is lost or stolen.

Santander £185 for customers that switch to a Santander Edge, Santander Edge Up, Everyday or Private (v2) current account^^ Cashback on bills and essential spending, Santander Boosts with cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws, Monthly interest of 3.50% AER on balances up to £25,000 with Edge Up and Private (v2), Santander Edge customers have access to optional savings account with 7.00% AER interest on balances up to £4,000 (includes 2.50% AER bonus rate for the first 12 months from opening).

^ Club accounts have a monthly fee, however, the Club Lloyds fee is waived each month that you pay in £2,000 or more.

^^ Edge, Edge Up and Private current accounts have a monthly fee, however, this can be offset by cashback received on spending.

The First Direct switching offer - £175 bonus First Direct logo

The details on First Direct's switching offer:

  • Must make a full switch using CASS or you will not be eligible
  • Open a 1st Account
  • Must transfer a minimum of 2 direct debits or standing orders
  • Must deposit £1,000 and log-in to digital banking within 30 days of opening account
  • Access to a £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to credit checks)
  • Access to a 7.00% AER Regular Saver account
  • New customers only who have never previously held a First Direct product
  • Not available for those that have opened an HSBC current account on or after 01/01/18
  • Offer ends 22nd April 2024

The Lloyds Bank switching offer - £175 bonus Lloyds life insurance review

The details on Lloyds Bank's switching offer:

  • Must make a full switch using CASS or you will not be eligible
  • Open a new Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver or Club Lloyds Platinum account.
  • Note that Club accounts have a monthly fee - See Lloyds Bank website for full T&Cs.
  • Must transfer a minimum of 2 active direct debits and close your existing account held with another bank
  • Access to 0% interest free overdraft for first 3 months (must apply and be approved)
  • Interest on balances up to £5,000 when you pay out two direct debits each month
  • Everyday Offers where you can earn up to 15% cashback with selected retailers
  • Additional benefits (details above)
  • Not available for those that already received an incentive or benefit for switching to Lloyds Bank or Halifax Bank since April 2020
  • Must start your switch by 28th March 2024

NatWest/RBS/Ulster Bank switching offer - £200 bonus the natwest group logo

The details on the NatWest Group switching offer:

  • Must make a full switch from a different bank using CASS or you will not be eligible
  • Open the account in-app or online
  • Can switch to a Select account with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank or a NatWest/RBS Reward account (monthly fee is payable)
  • Must pay in a minimum of £1,250 and log in to mobile or online banking within 60 days of opening the account
  • Must not have received any NatWest Group switching offer since 01/01/20
  • Additional benefits - vary by account (details in table above)

The Santander switching offer - £185 bonus Santander

The details on Santander's switching offer:

  • Must make a full switch using CASS or you will not be eligible
  • Open a new Santander Edge, Santander Edge Up, Everyday or Private (v2) current account
  • Note that Edge, Edge Up and Private (v2) current accounts have a monthly fee - See Santander website for full T&Cs
  • Within 60 days of telling Santander to switch your account, you must have completed the full switch using CASS
  • Must set up 2 active direct debits (can't be to fund a savings account with Santander, Cater Allen or Cahoot) within 60 days of telling Santander to switch your account
  • Must pay in £1,500 within 60 days of telling Santander to switch your account
  • Not available to those that already received a switcher incentive on any Santander account
  • Additional benefits - vary by account (details in table above)

Best current accounts for cashback

Bank/Building Society Incentive Min. Monthly Monthly Fee
Santander Edge Up 1% cashback on selected household bills paid by direct debit (maximum of £15 a month)

1% cashback on essential spending (maximum of £15 a month).

3.50% (AER) interest paid on current account balances up to £25,000

Get £185 when you switch to this account (Details above)

£1,500 £5
Santander Edge 1% cashback on selected household bills paid by direct debit (maximum of £10 a month)

1% cashback on essential spending (maximum of £10 a month).

Access to 7.00% interest on savings account balance up to £4,000 (includes 2.50% bonus rate for first 12 months)

Get £185 when you switch to this account (Details above)

£500 £3
Chase Bank* Get 1% cashback on your everyday debit card spending (exceptions apply) for your first 12 months. Maximum of £15 a month. Also, round-up your debit card spending to the nearest £ and earn 5% AER interest with a round-up account. 4.10% AER interest on savings balance plus 1% AER on current account balance. No minimum £0

 

Santander

Santander Edge Up

To get up to 1% cashback on bills and spending with a Santander Edge Up account (Max £30 cashback per month), you must:

      • Pay £5 a month to maintain the account
      • Pay in at least £1,500 a month
      • Add 2 active direct debits to the account
      • Pay bills via direct debit
      • Be a permanent UK resident and be over the age of 18

Santander EdgeSantander

To get up to 1% cashback on bills and spending with a Santander Edge account (Max £20 cashback per month), you must:

      • Pay £3 a month to maintain the account
      • Pay in at least £500 a month
      • Add 2 active direct debits to the account
      • Pay bills via direct debit
      • Be a permanent UK resident and be over the age of 18

Chase Bankchase bank cashback

To get 1% cashback on your everyday debit card spending with a Chase current account, you must:

      • Open a Chase current account by downloading the Chase app*
      • Be a permanent UK resident aged 18+
      • Cashback is available for your first 12 months, max £15 a month
      • Some cashback exceptions apply
      • Can also earn 1% AER interest on your current account balance

Best current accounts for interest

Current Account Interest Min. Monthly Monthly Fee Small Print
Nationwide FlexDirect Account 5.00% AER on balances up to £1,500. Reverts to 1.00% after the first 12 months. Also falls to 1.00% if a minimum of £1,000 is not deposited each month during the first 12 months. £1,000 £0 Reverts to 1.00% after the first 12 months. Also falls to 1.00% if a minimum of £1,000 is not deposited each month during the first 12 months.
Kroo 4.35% AER on current account balances up to £500,000. £0 £0 Have to open a Kroo current account by downloading the Kroo app.
Santander Edge Up 3.50% AER on current account balances up to £25,000. £1,500 £5 Must have at least 2 active direct debits to qualify for the 3.50% interest rate. Interest is paid monthly.
Starling Bank* 3.25% AER (variable) interest on balances up to £5,000. £0 £0 Interest is paid monthly on balances up to £5,000. Interest is paid on balances in Personal, Joint, Teen and Kite accounts.
Club Lloyds Current Account 1.50% AER (variable) on balances between £1 and £3,999.99, 3.00% AER (variable) on any part of the balance between £4,000 and £5,000. £0 £3^ Minimum opening balance of £4,000 and must pay out two direct debits each month to earn monthly credit interest.
Chase Bank* 1.00% AER interest on current account balances. 4.10% AER interest on savings balances up to £500,000. £0 £0 Interest is paid monthly. Have to open a Chase current account first by downloading the Chase app.

^ Club accounts have a monthly fee, however, the Club Lloyds fee is waived each month that you pay in £2,000 or more.

Nationwide FlexDirect

To qualify for 5% interest on a Nationwide FlexDirect account, you must:

      • Be aged 18 or over
      • Be a UK resident
      • Pay in £1,000 a month (excluding transfers from other Nationwide accounts or Visa credits)
      • Open an account for the first time solely in your name or a joint account with someone else
      • Hold no more than 4 existing sole or joint Nationwide current accounts

Krookroo bank logo

To qualify for 4.35% interest with a Kroo current account, you must:

      • Open a Kroo current account by downloading the Kroo app
      • Be aged 18 or over
      • Be a UK resident

Santander

Santander Edge Up

To qualify for 3.50% interest with a Santander Edge Up account, you must:

      • Be aged 18 or over
      • Be a UK resident
      • Pay £5 a month to maintain the account
      • Pay in at least £1,500 a month
      • Add 2 active direct debits to the account

Starling BankStarling

To qualify for 3.25% interest* with a Starling Bank current account, you must:

      • Open a Starling Bank current account by downloading the Starling Bank app
      • Be a UK resident
      • Must have a smartphone
      • Need a valid photo ID (passport or driving licence)

Club Lloyds Current Account
Lloyds life insurance review

To qualify for 3.00% AER (variable) interest with a Club Lloyds Current Account, you must:

      • Be aged 18 or over
      • Be a UK resident
      • Pay out two direct debits each month to earn monthly credit interest

Chase Bankchase bank cashback

To qualify for 4.10% AER interest* with a Chase Saver account, and 1% AER interest with a Chase current account, you must:

      • Open a Chase current account by downloading the Chase app
      • Add a Chase saver account within the app
      • Be aged 18 or over
      • Be a UK resident

More on current accounts

Head over to our up-to-date list of the best current accounts in the UK, and keep an eye on our round-up of the best high-interest current accounts for the latest deals and offers. Additionally, you can find the best savings rates for your money in our article, 'Best savings accounts in the UK'.

 

 

 

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