Compare switching deals in the UK

See if you could switch to a better current account.

Promoted
1st Account logo

Get £175 to switch

  • No overseas fees
  • Exclusive savings account access
  • 24/7 customer support
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Promoted for switching offer
Current Account logo
Finder Award
£125 refer-a-friend switching offer
Monthly rewards
Available as a joint account
Easy to open and manage
Best for linked savings account
1st Account logo
£175 to switch
No monthly fee
Easy to apply
Access to regular saver account
Promoted for switch incentive
Barclays Bank Account logo
Get £175 cashback
£5 monthly fee for Barclays Blue Rewards
24/7 customer support
Access to the Barclays branch network
Promoted for welcome bonus
Revolut Standard logo
£20 sign-up bonus
Low overseas fees
Quick application
Earn cashback on spending

Compare the latest bank switch offers

Table: sorted by promoted deals first
1 - 4 of 4
Name Product Ratings Account fees Funding requirement Interest (AER) Arranged overdraft Incentive Representative example Link
CASHBACK
Spend & Save Plus
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£3 per month
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
N/A
Earn £5 cashback a month when making 20 or more debit card payments each month.
Current account switch service guarantee badge Account fee of £3 per month.
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OFFER
1st Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
N/A
Switch to first direct and get £175 plus get access to a 7.00% AER/gross Regular Saver Account.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
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View details
Finder Award
OFFER
Current Account
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
35.9% EAR variable
Refer A Friend and get £125 for you, £125 for your friend if they switch.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
Aged 16 or over, or 18 or over when requesting the optional overdraft. Subject to status and eligibility.
Offer is subject to eligibility criteria, which includes completing a full account switch, registering for online banking, making a minimum of five debit card payments, depositing at least £800 and having two active Direct Debits within 60 days of account opening. T&Cs apply.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 35.9% EAR variable. T&Cs apply.
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CASHBACK
Spend & Save
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
39.9% EAR variable
Earn £5 cashback a month when making 20 or more debit card payments each month.
Current account switch service guarantee badgeIf you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.9% EAR variable/APR representative.
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View details
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What’s a switching bonus?

A switching bonus is an incentive (usually cash) that you can get for transferring your current account to a new bank. So it’s basically a bank giving you free money for becoming a new current account customer.

Switching bonuses are usually offered by the big traditional banks, and they can be temporary offers valid for just a few months.

The bonus deals typically require you to complete a full switch of your current account, including moving a minimum number of direct debits to your new account. You won’t usually get a bonus just for opening a new account – you’ll need to transfer from your existing current account provider (that’s why it’s called a “switching” bonus).

Should I switch current accounts?

The answer depends on your circumstances, so only you can determine that. But here are a few things to think about:

  • Are you with your existing bank because it offers good service? Or are you with it because you just haven’t thought about moving?
  • Switching current account is pretty easy. Thanks to the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), all your payments and direct debits will be transferred automatically within 7 working days. The 2 banks involved will handle the process and you’ll barely have to lift a finger.
  • A switching bonus is a temporary benefit. Whereas your current account is something you use pretty much every day, even if you don’t really think about it. If the bank you’re considering has a really juicy switching bonus offer but an awful mobile banking app, it may not be worth putting yourself through that kind of misery for a few quid. The customer star ratings we show can help you see which banks treat customers well.
  • Banks are awful at rewarding customers for their loyalty. Banks know that people really don’t want to go through the hassle of getting a new account; once they’ve got someone as a customer, they don’t need to do much to keep them. So switching is more likely to land you a better deal.

So, weigh up the pros and cons carefully. If you do decide to switch, ideally you want to pin down the best combination of a nice switching bonus and a reliable bank that offers a good long-term service. You can see a full comparison in our current account guide here.

What happens when you switch?

If you go through with a switch, all your incoming and outgoing payments are automatically transferred to your new account via the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) process. This includes your salary, all your bills – as long as they’re paid by direct debit or standing order – and, most importantly, any future payments you might receive from someone who has your old banking details (the service will also contact them to let them know the new ones!).

You can pick your switching date in advance, and even transfer an overdraft as long as your new bank agrees to it. Once it’s all done, your old bank will close your old account, and you’ll be all set with your new one. If your new bank offers a switching bonus, you’ll receive it once the switch is complete.

Using CASS is free and easy and you’re likely to end up with a better deal or a better banking experience if you’ve picked the right deal for you. However, keep in mind that this service only works for current accounts, so savings accounts won’t be transferred.

You’ll also need to update any regular payments made via debit card manually, and these can be a lot (for example, your PayPal or Amazon accounts will have memorised your debit card details, not your current account details, so you’ll need to change them when you get your new debit card).

Pros and cons of switching

Pros

  • You can get a nice cash switching bonus (and use it to treat yourself!).
  • You can choose a bank that offers better customer service or a better mobile app… whatever you don’t like about your current bank, you don’t have to put up with it!
  • All payments are automatically transferred to your new current account thanks to CASS.
  • It’s free and fairly quick; the switch has to be completed within 7 working days.

Cons

  • Other accounts you might have with the same bank, such as savings accounts, won’t be transferred.
  • You’ll need to amend your debit card details wherever you have them stored as your regular payment method.

Bottom line

You can earn a handsome reward if you switch your current account to a bank that’s offering one but don’t switch to it just because you’ll get a reward. Make sure you choose a bank that offers a good service and has the features and benefits that are right for you. If you do switch, the Current Account Switch Service, which most banks are signed up to, will make the process quick and easy.

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Frequently asked questions

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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