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Compare current accounts in Scotland
Learn more about the best bank accounts in Scotland.
Compare current accounts
Table: sorted by switching bonus
1 - 15 of 15
What’s a current account?
A current account is a bank account that gives you instant access to your money and that you can use for your day-to-day financial life. It allows you to receive your salary, pay your bills, make purchases, send and receive payments and so on. It will come with an account number, a sort code, a debit card and some kind of Internet banking or mobile app facility to manage it.
While the basic functionalities are always the same, different current accounts from different banks will come with a range of different features to suit different needs.
How to compare current accounts
The best current account for a young professional who’s just moved out from their parents’ house will not be the same as the best current account for a CEO, so you’ll need to figure out which features are important for you. You should consider the following:
- Switching bonus and rewards. Banks are vying for customers and have lots of tasty offers to get you to join. The most popular is, unsurprisingly, a big fat lump sum of cash! Look at what switching incentives are available at the moment, or compare current accounts with ongoing rewards here.
- Great mobile app and low fees. Banking directly from your phone will make tracking your finances easier and more fun (maybe?). Check out current accounts with great apps.
- Overseas spending. If you travel often, you want to be able to do it without paying any fees. High-street banks tend to be quite bad at this, so if low-cost travel is important to you, you may want to consider a challenger bank like Monzo, Starling or Revolut. This article shows the best cards for travelling overseas.
- Interest rate. Not many current accounts pay an interest rate these days, but getting one of the few that do can be a nice way of topping up your monthly balance. Plus, sometimes opening a current account with a certain bank also gives you access to promotional rates on its savings accounts – if you need one, it’s a factor worth considering. Compare high-interest current accounts here.
- Cheap overdraft. Overdrafts make an expensive way of borrowing money, so you should avoid them if you can. However, if you know you’re going to use yours, choosing an account that prices them fairly becomes pivotal. Compare current accounts with overdrafts here.
- Insurance benefits. In return for a monthly fee, some current accounts (the so-called “packaged” accounts) come with a whole lot of insurance benefits. It isn’t always the cheapest deal you can get, but it’s a great way of getting yourself very comprehensive cover levels for 12 months a year. Compare packaged accounts here.
Have you thought about a mobile-only bank?
Digital banks like Monzo, Starling or Revolut have stolen the headlines in fintech for the last few years. In the Finder office we’re big fans – here’s why:
- Cool features.Digital banks are constantly evolving and adding interesting features. The whole experience feels more user-centred and it’s easier to keep an eye on your spending, make budgets and personalise the whole thing too.
- Easy to set up. You just download the app, enter your data and confirm your identity. It usually takes less than 10 minutes.
- No fees. This usually also applies to spending abroad.
How to switch current account
If you’ve had your current account for years, the idea of switching may sound daunting – many people stick with bad deals just to avoid the hassle. However, the process is in truth quite simple thanks to the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).
Any banks signed up to CASS will switch over your account for you in seven working days. You don’t need to do anything except pick out your new current account and decide on a switch date. Here’s how it works:
- Your balance and recurring payments are automatically transferred to your new account. This includes both direct debits and standing orders.
- Your old account is closed. Your transaction history will not be transferred to your new account, so it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got all your bank statements first.
- Incoming payments to your old account will be redirected. A message with your new bank details is also automatically sent to the payer.
Depending on what your new bank is offering at the time, switching through CASS may also allow you to access switching bonuses and rewards.
Well-known Scottish banks
We’ve outlined some of the main Scottish banks below. Other banks such as Barclays and HSBC also have branches in Scotland, but we focus on those with Scottish roots.
Bank of Scotland
Bank of Scotland is Scotland’s first and oldest bank, having been founded by an Act of the Scottish Parliament on 17 July 1695. In 2001, the Bank of Scotland merged with Halifax to form HBOS. Then in 2009, HBOS was acquired by Lloyds Banking Group, making it the largest retail bank in the UK.
Lloyds Banking Group’s registered office and Scottish headquarters are in the historic Bank of Scotland building on The Mound in Edinburgh.
Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland is a major retail and commercial bank and was established in Edinburgh in 1727. In 2000, its holding company the Royal Bank of Scotland Group acquired NatWest and in 2020 its name was changed to NatWest Group.
Most of the bank’s branches are in Scotland, but it also has branches in England and Wales.
Clydesdale Bank
Clydesdale Bank is a retail and commercial bank that was established in Glasgow in 1838. Having expanded rapidly over the decades, in 2018 Clydesdale’s Bank holding company CYBG announced it was acquiring Virgin Money.
The Clydesdale Bank brand is now in the process of being phased out.
TSB
The first Trustee Savings Bank (TSB) was established in Dumfriesshire in 1810, with the purpose of serving the local community. TSBs quickly became popular and by 1986, a number of them had been integrated into the TSB Group which then floated on the London Stock Exchange.
In 1995, TSB merged with Lloyds Bank to form Lloyds TSB, but in 2013 they once again became 2 different banks.
What type of bank account should you choose?
When comparing banks you will need to consider what type of account works best for you.
If you’re after an account to carry out everyday banking tasks such as paying bills and subscriptions, you’ll need a current account. You can have your salary paid into your account and use your debit card to make payments and withdraw cash. Some accounts will also offer an overdraft so consider whether you are likely to need one. Be on the lookout for switching incentives too.
Alternatively, if you want somewhere to stash some extra cash, you’ll need a savings account – ideally one that pays a decent rate of interest. There are several types of savings accounts so consider what would work best for you.
Everyone should have some savings in an account that can be accessed easily in an emergency. For example, in case your car needs urgent repairs.
If you have a lump sum of cash that you can leave untouched for a year or more, locking it away in a fixed rate bond will often give you a better rate of interest. Some savings accounts also let you pay in a set amount each month for 12 months to help you get into the savings habit.
How to choose a bank account
To help you choose the right bank account, we’ve outlined some of the factors to consider:
- Access. Do you need to be able to pop into a local branch to carry out your banking tasks or are you happy banking online or via an app? If you prefer to bank face-to-face, check which banks have branches near you. If you’re looking for a savings account, consider whether you want to access your money as needed or if you’re prepared to lock it away.
- Interest rates. Savings accounts and some current accounts pay interest on your balance. Check which accounts pay the most competitive rates, whether there is a maximum balance interest it’s paid on and if you need to meet certain criteria to earn it.
- Rewards and benefits. Some current accounts will also pay you cashback or offer perks such as travel insurance and mobile phone insurance so consider whether this is important to you. If it is, bear in mind that some accounts will charge a monthly fee.
- Customer service. If the most important factor to you is good customer service, check which banks have the best customer reviews before you apply.
- Overdrafts. If you need an overdraft, hunt out one that charges a low rate of interest. If you’re a student, most student bank accounts offer an interest-free overdraft while you’re studying, but the size of the overdraft varies depending on the bank.
- Kids offers. You might also want to choose a bank account for your child, in which case see whether you get any preferential offers for being an existing customer. Some banks will require that you have an account with them before you can open a child’s account.
- Business opportunities. If you run a small business, it can be worth opening a business bank account to keep your business and personal finances separate.
Bottom line
There are a number of different banks and bank accounts to choose from if you live in Scotland, so it’s important to do your research and consider which is best for you. Different banks and bank accounts will suit different preferences and circumstances so you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
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