As one of the big high street banks, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has plenty to offer its current account customers. As well as branches across the country, there are also current accounts paying you cashback and good deals for students and teenagers looking for their first accounts too.
Like other large banks, RBS regularly offers switching bonuses of around £125-£150 to customers who move their current account over to the bank.
Compare RBS current accounts
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To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Fees, features and customer service across 20+ of the most popular banks are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the account – simple.
Read the full methodologyTypes of current accounts from RBS
RBS has a good range of current accounts and a particularly extensive offering when it comes to rewards.
Reward and incentive accounts
You can choose from 3 different RBS rewards accounts: Reward, Reward Silver and Reward Platinum. You must be an existing RBS customer to get the Reward Silver or Reward Platinum account. All 3 accounts offer cashback and a monthly cash reward. Then, depending on how much you are willing to pay in fees, you can get extras including travel insurance and breakdown cover. Compare reward accounts on our dedicated page.
Learn more about reward and incentive accountsEveryday current accounts
If you aren’t looking for bells and whistles then RBS’s everyday Select account is fee-free and comes with a contactless debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and a mobile banking app. You can also apply for an arranged overdraft.
RBS also offers a basic Foundation account – you may be offered this account if you aren’t eligible for any of RBS’s other accounts. Ukrainian refugees can apply for this account directly.
Learn more about current accountsStudent accounts
RBS’s student account comes with perks including an interest-free overdraft. RBS also regularly offers sign up incentives on its student account such as a free 4-year tastecard. After you’ve graduated, your account becomes a graduate account.
Learn more about student accountsWhen comparing student accounts don’t get distracted by the freebies on offer. For most students the important feature will be the interest-free overdraft. Royal Bank of Scotland offers a generous interest-free overdraft, compare that with other banks first. Then consider the perks of the account.”
Children’s accounts
RBS offers two different children’s accounts. The Rooster Money account is available for 3 to 17 year olds and includes a parent-managed pocket money app. You can set allowances and track your child’s spending and saving in the app. Then there is the Revolve account for 11 to 17 year olds. This comes with a contactless debit card and, once the child turns 13, Apple Pay and Google Pay. This account also pays your child interest on their pocket money.
Learn more about children’s accountsBusiness accounts
Whether you’re a start-up or a more established business, RBS offers a range of different accounts to suit different business needs. Choose from a start-up business account that offers no transaction fees for a set time, a straightforward bank account for businesses that have been trading for over a year, and a community account for not-for-profit organisations such as charities and clubs.
Learn more about business accounts
Does RBS offer any promotions, discounts or refer-a-friend offers?
No, RBS doesn’t have any of these at the moment, but it does sometimes have switching deals. We have a page that shows other switching deals available, so when RBS does offer another one, you can read about it there.
Does RBS offer joint accounts?
Yes, 2 people can open a joint account together with RBS. You can apply online or in branch.
Does RBS offer premium/packaged or premier accounts?
Yes, RBS has a range of options, including its Premier Select, Premier Reward (£2 a month), Premier Reward Black (£36 a month), and Reward (£2 a month) accounts. You can compare them against the competition in our guide.
What do customers say about RBS?
90% of customers we surveyed in 2026 would recommend RBS to a friend.
It's seen as a solid, steady provider, particularly by its base of long-term, loyal customers. The digital offering is strong, with users praising the user interface and helpful features like round-ups for saving.
Customer service is generally viewed positively, though some feel the bank is somewhat basic and lacks the standout innovation of newer competitors. As with many high-street names, the shift towards digital-only interactions and the reduction of local branches is a notable point of friction.
AI-generated summary from the text of customer reviews on Finder.
Pros and cons of banking with RBS
- Perks. Perks and rewards are kind of RBS’s specialty – available options include cashback on your bills, travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and car insurance (breakdown cover).
- Multiple ways to bank. Whether you’d rather do it all online and never visit a branch in your life, or manage your finances in person or on the phone, RBS has got you covered.
- Mobile banking app. RBS has a clean app that allows you to see all your accounts in one place, including the ones you have with other banks. The app also puts your spending into different categories, helping you to budget.
- Global acceptance. If you bank with RBS you’ll get either a Visa or a Mastercard, so you really don’t have to worry about card acceptance, no matter where you are in the world.
- Round the clock assistance. If you lose your card, or if it’s stolen, you can call RBS 24/7 to get assistance.
- No interest paid on account balances. While RBS can offers some decent perks, unfortunately it doesn’t usually pay interest on its current account balances. The exception is its Revolve account for teenagers.
- Branch closures. RBS has announced it is closing branches across the country. If you need to be able to bank in-person check your nearby branch isn’t affected before opening a current account.
Opening an account with RBS
To open an account with RBS, you’ll have to provide the following information:
- Your personal details and address history.
- How much you expect to pay in each month.
- Your salary details and any assets you have.
- Your nationality/citizenship.
- Proof of identity (passport, driving licence, EEA or Swiss national identity card).
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement).
You can open an RBS account online or by visiting a branch.
Customer service information for RBS
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Our verdict: Is Royal Bank of Scotland a good bank?
RBS doesn’t include interest with most of its current accounts, but it does offer more unique rewards, such as cashback on bills. Whether this makes sense for you will depend on how you use your account. If your current account has a relatively low balance day-to-day but multiple direct debits, and you plan to use the mobile app and spend on the debit card, the rewards may be worth more to you than interest. But, if you regularly maintain a large balance then a current account that pays interest may be a better option.
Frequently asked questions
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