Current Account Switch Service

The Current Account Switch Service makes moving your account even easier.

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 - Call into a Business Centre, 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.

If we agree, bank accounts that include an overdraft can switch using the Current Account Switch Service. And if you'd like to have an overdraft with your new bank account, speak to us before starting your switch. We will be able to advise if you're eligible for an overdraft, dependent on our lending criteria and your credit status.

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

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What does the Current Account Switch

Guarantee mean?

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

1a. Personal

Can I switch my current account?

Yes, you can use the service to switch accounts from and to any of the participating banks and building societies.

1b. Business

Can I switch my current account?

Yes, so long as you have an annual turnover that does not exceed £6.5 million and you employ fewer than 50 people. If you are a small trust with a net asset value of less than £6.5 million you can also use the service. If you are still unsure whether you qualify, speak to us.

2. Can I choose my switch date?

Yes, you can choose and agree a switch date with us. Just make sure you allow seven working days for the switch to take place and that your chosen date isn't a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday.

3. What happens to payments that people send to my old account?

All incoming and outgoing payments will be automatically redirected to your new account.

Each time a payment is redirected, an automatic message is sent back to the originator advising them of your new account details so they can update their records. Some organisations may contact you directly to confirm your details have changed. If you do not want your new details to be given to someone who sends a one-off payment, contact us.

4. What happens if there is a mistake or unnecessary delay in the switching process?

In the unlikely event that there are any issues in starting the switch, we will inform you before your switch date. If anything goes wrong, we will ensure that any charges or interest incurred on your old and/or new account as a result of the error will be refunded. It is for us to decide whether you receive compensation above and beyond the refund.

5. Will switching my current account affect my credit rating?

No, providing you repay any outstanding overdraft on your previous account as required by your old bank or building society. If there are any problems with payments as part of the switching process, we will correct them and ensure your credit rating is not affected.

6. Can I switch my current account if I am overdrawn?

Yes. You will need to agree any overdraft facilities you require with us. Alternatively, we may be able to provide facilities to help you pay off any existing overdraft you may have, subject to our normal lending criteria. If you do not come to an agreement with us you must make separate arrangements to repay your existing overdraft before you switch.

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. We will guide you through this process if you decide to cancel your switch.

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. Is the Current Account Switch Guarantee the same for all banks?

Yes, all banks and building societies that display the Current Account Switch Guarantee Trustmark will follow the same switching process and must offer the same guarantees. There are over 40 participating banks and building societies in the UK and you can see them on:

www.currentaccountswitch.co.uk/banksandbuildingsocieties/

10. What happens to any debit card transactions or Direct Debits that I have asked my old bank to stop?

The Current Account Switch Service will not interfere with this process and any debit card or Direct Debit transactions that you have asked your bank to stop should remain stopped after your switch.

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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*.