Best bank account switching offers 2026

These are free current and e-money accounts where you can get £100 or more plus other incentives for opening an account. However, for some accounts you will need to switch and close your old account to get the bonus. We have a separate guide on banking apps with sign-up bonuses and other ways to earn free money.

The latest bank switch offers as of 18 October

The following list includes switching and new customer offers including bonuses from banks and banking apps.

Our expert says: What’s the best switching deal right now?

"The best deal overall is Nationwide’s £175 offer. If you opt for FlexDirect, you get 5% AER on balances up to £1,500 for 12 months. If you keep that in your account for the full year, you could earn up to £75 in interest. You also get up to a maximum of £120 cashback on debit card purchases for 12 months and access to the Flex Regular Saver at 6.50% AER. If you save the maximum of £200 every month, you’ll earn £84.50 in interest in a year. That’s a chunky £454.50 in your first year, including switching bonus, maximum savings interest and cashback."

Kate Steere

Editor

Latest current account switching offers

Barclays – Up to £300 switch bonus

Requirements to get the initial £150 switching bonus

• Switch a current account held elsewhere using the Current Account Switch Service
• Use the Current Account Switch Service to switch to a Barclays Bank Account
• Complete a full switch including at least 3 direct debits
• Pay at least £2,000 into your account and make at least 10 card transactions within 30 days

Requirements to get the £150 monthly engagement bonus

• Qualify and receive payment for the initial £150 switching bonus
• In each full month (up to a maximum of five months), follow the same criteria as the initial £150 switching bonus:
  • Make 10 debit card purchases
  • Receive salary payments toalling at least £2,000
  • Keep your Barclays account active when you’re paid your £30 engagement reward each month

Exclusions

• You’ve opened a Barclays Bank Account on or before 1 October 2026
• You’ve received a switching offer reward from Barclays in the past
• You must apply for your account using the Barclays app

Offer ends
This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

HSBC – £220 switch bonus

Requirements to get the £220 switching bonus

• Open an HSBC Bank Account in the HSBC Mobile Banking app
• Complete a full switch including at least 2 direct debits
• Pay in £2,000 and spend £500 on your debit card within 60 days of switching

Exclusions

• You’re already a HSBC or first direct customer or have opened an HSBC UK or first direct current account on or after 1 January 2023
• You open a HSBC Bank account via channels other than the app (e.g. Branch or Telephone Banking)
• You are an HSBC staff member

Offer ends
This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

first direct – £210 switch bonus

Requirements to get the initial £175 switching bonus

• Use the Current Account Switch Service to switch to a first direct 1st Account
• Complete a full switch including at least 2 direct debits
• Pay at least £1,000 into your account, make 5 debit card payments and log on to digital banking within 45 days

Requirements to get the extra £35 bonus

• Must have created an account between 14 September and 2 December 2026

Exclusions

• Must be a UK resident
• You’ve previously held a first direct product or have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018

Offer ends
This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

Lloyds Bank – £200 switch bonus

Requirements to get the £200 switching bonus

• Use the Current Account Switch Service to switch to an eligible Club Lloyds or Lloyds Premier Account
• Include the transfer of a minimum of 3 active direct debits from your old account
• Open a qualifying account online, in branch or by phone

Exclusions

• You have received a switching offer since 01 January 2023 for switching to any Lloyds, Bank of Scotland or Halifax bank account

Offer ends
9 December 2026.

NatWest – £200 switch bonus

Requirements to get the £200 switching bonus

• Apply for a Select or Reward account
• Switch using the Current Account Switch Service via another bank
• Pay in £1,250 within 60 days of switching

Exclusions

• You are switching a current account from NatWest Group (Royal Bank or Ulster Bank NI)
• You’ve had a switch bonus before for moving to a bank within the NatWest Group

Offer ends
This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

See deal

Royal Bank of Scotland – £200 switch bonus

Requirements to get the £200 switching bonus

• Apply for a Select or Reward account
• Switch using the Current Account Switch Service via another bank
• Pay in £1,250 within 60 days of switching
• Login to the mobile app within 60 days of switching

Exclusions

• You are switching a current account from NatWest Group (Royal Bank or Ulster Bank NI)
• You’ve had a switch bonus before for moving to a bank within the NatWest Group

Offer ends
This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

See deal

Nationwide – £175 switch bonus

Requirements to get the £175 switching bonus

• Use the Current Account Switch Service to switch to a FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus account
• Complete a full switch including at least 2 direct debits
• Within 31 days after you apply, pay in £1,000 and make 1 debit card payment

Exclusions

• You have received a Nationwide switch offer before 2021

Offer ends
This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

New customer account offers

Starling – £25 sign-up bonus

Requirements to get the bonus

• Be a new Starling customer
• Pass the identity and verification checks
• Spend £25 within 30 days of opening your account to qualify

Offer ends
31 December 2026.

See deal

Revolut – £20 sign-up bonus

Requirements to get the bonus

• Sign up using the unique link sent to your mobile number from Revolut’s website
• Pass the identity and verification checks
• Top up your account and spend £20 using the app within 1 month of opening the account

Offer ends
31 December 2026.

See deal

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 account for you. But 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).

In the unlikely event that anything goes wrong with the transfer, you’ll be protected under the Current Account Switch Guarantee. This means that if you incur any fees or interest because of the switch, you’ll be reimbursed.

Pros and cons of switching

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.

Frequently asked questions

• Why do banks offer switching bonuses?

  Banks want your money. Customer deposits are how they're able to provide lending services such as mortgages and loans, which in return generate their profits.

  But, as we mentioned above, some people hate moving bank accounts. With the notable exception of a few personal finance junkies like yours truly, most people just want to have a bank account that works and then not to think about it ever again.

  So, for banks, getting new customers is quite hard. Switching bonuses are one of the marketing tools available to them to entice people to transfer their accounts and money to them.

• How do I compare current accounts?

  We've got a full answer to this question in our compare current accounts guide.

• Can I switch a joint current account?

  You can switch from a joint current account to another joint current account as long as the other person agrees, so both of you will have to give the bank your consent.

  It's only possible to transfer a joint account to one held by the same people. You can also switch from a one-person current account to a joint current account (but not the other way around).

• Do banks offer switching rewards for student accounts?

  Yes! A range of large high street banks offer student accounts packed with rewards, including free railcards, vouchers, generous overdraft terms, and even cold, hard cash as an incentive to get you to bank with them.

• What other switching rewards can I get?

  By switching, your new bank might offer better deals compared to your old one, such as a cheaper overdraft, cashback on certain payments and a better interest rate on in-credit balances (with the current account itself or for a linked savings account). From time to time, there are also business banking switching offers.

• Does switching banks affect your credit score?

  Switching banks will have an impact on your credit score, as your new bank will run a credit check before approving your application. Learn more about credit scores and switching banks.

• Can I still switch bank account if I’m overdrawn?

  Yes, but your new bank will need to agree to giving you the overdraft amount you need and transferring your existing one across. Otherwise, you may need to agree a way to pay off the overdraft with the new bank instead or pay it off before you switch.

• What should I do if there’s a problem with my switch?

  If something goes wrong with the switching process, such as a direct debit isn’t transferred over, you should contact the bank you’re moving to so it can sort out the problem. Any charges or interest you have to pay because of the problem will be refunded under the Current Account Switch Guarantee with CASS.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Liz Edwards as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Kate Steere

Editor

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Kate Steere is an editor and money expert at Finder, specialising in banking, savings and fintech. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run. See full bio

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