Best Current Account switching offers & incentives
From 16th September 2013 consumers have been able to switch current account within 7 workings days.
Previously switching current accounts was seen as a nightmare, taking up to 30 days to complete, plus there was little incentive to do so. It is perhaps unsurprising that consumers have typically only switched their bank once every 16 years. Yet banks are the number one source of complaints to the Financial Ombudsman.
Switching bank accounts has just got a whole lot easier thanks to the new Current Account Switch Service being brought in by regulators in bid to boost competitiveness within the banking sector. Plus there are now genuine incentives to change your bank or building society.
Switching current accounts is now quick and easy
Under the new Current Account Switch Service consumers will be 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 also be automatically transferred across to your new account as will any payments sent to the old account (for a period of 13 months).
Cash incentives
Banks and building societies are offering some fantastic offers to tempt customers away from rival banks. Below is a round up of some of the best offers out there.
| Institution | Incentive to switch | Min monthly paid in |
| First Direct | £100 cash and another £100 if you leave after 6 months but before 12 months | £1,000 a month |
| Halifax | £75 cash | £750 a month |
| M&S | £125 gift card | n/a |
| HSBC | £200 (£150 upfront & £50 in a year). Even if you have an existing First Direct account. | £1,750 a month |
| Natwest | £125 - available until 16th Feb 2018 to new and existing customers | £1,500 a month from a non-NatWest account each month |
Check who owns each bank before making a 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 their 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 the level of protection under the FSCS if any of them were to go bust.
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