Switch your current account.
Switch your current account to us and close your current account with your old bank. The switch from your old account to your new current account will be completed within seven working days of your preferred switch date. The Current Account Switch Guarantee* provides peace of mind for anyone switching their current account.
Thinking of switching?
Talk to us – we’ll be happy to guide you through the switching process in three easy steps:
- Get in touch - phone us on (0)345 6005 204† (lines are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday). We’ll talk you through the switching options available to you (see below).
- We will need to see proof of your identity and address. Usually, we need your passport or driving licence and a gas, electricity or water bill. If you have any queries, please phone (0)345 6005 204†
- Sign the relevant application forms and we will do the rest. We will provide you with your new current account details and any information you need.
† Call charges may vary - please refer to your service provider
We offer two options to customers wishing to switch their current account:
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Option A - Current Account Switch
Switch your current account to us and close your current account with your old bank. The switch from your old account to your new current account will be completed within seven working days of your preferred switch date. The Current Account Switch Guarantee* provides peace of mind for anyone switching their current account.
Eligibility
- Personal customers or,
- Micro or small/medium sized enterprises with an annual turnover and/or balance sheet total that does not exceed £6.5 million and less than 50 employees or,
- Small charities with an annual income of less than £6.5 million; and small trusts with a net value of less than £6.5 million.
Further details are available in the Current Account Switch Service brochure
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Option B – Partial Switch
Move all or some direct debits, standing orders and bill payments to us but keep your current account open at your old bank.
Eligibility
- Larger companies and those who are not eligible for option A.
- Personal customers or,
- Micro to small/medium sized enterprises with an annual turnover and/or balance sheet total that does not exceed £6.5 million and less than 50 employees or,
- Small charities with an annual income of less than £6.5 million; and small trusts with a net value of less than £6.5 million.
Further details are available in the Current Account Switch Service brochure
Current Account Switch*
Guarantee
We have designed the Current Account Switch Service to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take seven working days. As your new current-account provider we offer the following guarantee.
- The service is free to use and you can choose and agree your switch date with us.
- We will take care of moving all your payments going out (for example, your Direct Debits and standing orders) and those coming in (for example, your salary).
- If you have money in your old account, we will transfer it to your new account on your switch date.
- We will arrange for payments accidentally made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account. We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details.
- If there are any issues in making the switch, we will contact you before your switch date.
- If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current accounts as a result of this failure.
Full details of the Current Account Switch Guarantee are available in the Current Account Switch Service brochure
FAQ's
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Frequently asked questions about the Current Account Switch Service
1. What is the Current Account Switch Service?
It’s a free service that lets you switch your current account from one participating bank or building society to another. It has been designed to be simple, reliable and stress-free and is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee.
2. Can I switch my account on a date that suits me?
Yes, you can choose and agree a date with your new bank or building society and the process will start six working days before that date. (Working days are Mon – Fri excluding bank and public holidays)
3. What happens to payments that people send to my old account?
The Current Account Switch Service will redirect payments to your new account. Each time an electronic payment is redirected an automatic message is sent back to the originator advising them of the new account details so they can update their records. Some organisations may contact you directly to confirm your details have changed.
4. What happens if there is a mistake or unnecessary delay in the Current Account switching process?
The Current Account Switch Service is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee. This guarantees that any charges or interest incurred on your old or new account, as a result of a failure in the switching process will be refunded when you bring this to your new bank or building society’s attention.
5. Will switching my current account affect my credit rating?
No, providing you repay any outstanding overdraft(s) on your previous account(s) as required by your old bank or building society. If there are any problems with payments (as part of the switching process) your new bank or building society will correct them and ensure your credit rating is not affected.
6. Can I switch my current account if I am overdrawn?
Yes, and your new bank or building society may be able to provide facilities to help you pay off any overdraft, subject to their normal lending criteria. If this isn’t the case you must make separate arrangements to repay your old bank or building society what you owe.
7. What if I change my mind?
You can cancel your switch up to seven working days before your switch date. After that only certain elements can be cancelled. Your new bank or building society will guide you through this process if you choose to do this.
8. When will the money in my old account be transferred to my new account?
You will be able to access the funds in your old account up to and until your switch date when they will be transferred to your new account.
9. Do all banks and building societies offer the same Current Account Switch Service?
High Street banks and building societies and Internet and Telephone banks that display the ‘Current Account Switch Guarantee’ Trustmark will offer the Current Account Switch Service. You can find a list of participating organisations at www.currentaccountswitch.co.uk
10. What type of accounts can I switch using the Current Account Switch Service?
The Current Account Switch Service is for current accounts only. This includes personal, small businesses and charity current accounts.
Small business accounts are those with an annual turnover that does not exceed £6.5 million and employs fewer than 50 people. Small charities have an annual income or less than £6.5 million and small trusts with a net asset value of less tha £6.5 million. If you are still unsure if you qualify, then please contact us to confirm.
If you would like to switch other account types, such as a savings account, please contact us.
11. What happens to any debit card transactions that I have asked my old bank to stop?
The Current Account Switch Service should not interfere with this process and any debit card transactions that you have asked your bank to stop should remain so after your switch.
12. Can I prevent my new account details being given to someone who sends one-off payments to my old account?
You may be able to transfer your payments to your new bank without redirecting payments from your old account, and you should discuss this requirement with us.
Manual Switch
If your existing bank* is not a participant of the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), then you have the option to Switch Manually with no cost by giving us your Old / New Account details so we can contact your existing bank*
(Note - The Current Account Switch Service Guarantee does not apply to the manual process. If you’re not sure whether your current bank or building society is part of CASS, ask us when you start your switch)
Switching In
If you are switching your current account into us, simply call into any of our branches to initiate the request. We will request you to confirm that your direct debit and standing order details are correct, once these are provided by you or your Old Bank*.
If any direct debits and standing orders originate from a third party (e.g. your employer), then you will need to complete an authority form which we will then use to contact the credit/debit originator on your behalf. We will request your Old Bank* to transfer any credit balance to your new current account with us, and on your request ask them to close your old account. The process will take approximately 12 working days.
(Note – this timeframe excludes any time taken for a response from your Old Bank* or you).
Switching Out
If you are switching out of us into another UK based financial institution, we will send them a list of your Direct Debits, Direct Credits, Standing Orders and Bill Payments within 5 working days. We will transfer any credit balance and close the account on the switch date as requested from your New Bank*.
How to make a complaint
If you are unhappy with any aspect of this service, please visit www.aibgb.co.uk/help-and-guidance/customer-service/making-a-complaint
* includes building societies or any payment service provider
Help and Guidance
Help Centre
For all service related queries please visit our Help Centre.
Downloads
Current Account Switch Service brochure
Related Information
Interest Rates
CHAPS Payments Service/ Telegraphic Transfer
Direct Debit Transfer
Standing Orders