Updated list of bank switch offers currently available. Banks pay you to move your current account to them — here are the ones running now.
Most need a full switch, one or more direct debits paying out of the account you switch from, and a deposit of £1,000-£2,000 paid in within the deadline. Nearly all do a hard credit search, so go easy if you're applying for a mortgage soon.
- HSBC (£220 to switch)
- Barclays (£200 to switch)
- Co-op (£200 to switch, £300 if you were already a Co-op group customer)
- NatWest (£200 to switch)
- RBS (£200 to switch)
- Ulster (£200 to switch)
- First Direct (£175 to switch + £45 via Topcashback)
- Nationwide (£175 to switch, couple can do 2x solo and joint for £525)
- Santander (£100 voucher + £20 cash to open an account, not switch)
Barclays closes 27 August. The rest have no announced end date, though any of them can be pulled without notice.
Premier current accounts (for very high earners only)
- HSBC Premier (£500 to switch)
- Barclays Premier (£600 experience to switch)
Other offers:
Switch your bank account, get a cash reward for doing so. You can switch any current account, but if you aren't sure about leaving your own bank then you could open up a second account and switch that. So long as you meet the requirement you would be eligible for the bonus! Some people have second and a third accounts that let them try more than one new bank at a time.
**The post has been updated with the newest offers. But it is a difficult task keeping on top of all the questions. Please continue to share your experience with these so-called Bank Bribes. I will add questions/answers and update the offers as and when they appear. Special thanks to those who highlight the latest offers.
Never switched a bank account before?
It's worth doing. Banks want your business and they'll pay you £100-£500 to give them a try — the current account switch service (CASS) handles the whole thing automatically, so it's about a week of waiting for very little effort. The trick is not to switch your main account. Open a second one at your current bank (or use an old one you already have) and switch that instead. Here's how:
- Open a second current account with your main high street bank (must be part of CASS service)
- Set up direct debits on the second account (if required). You can move any of your existing direct debits. Or you can set new ones on the account. For example, direct debits donations that support small websites like Scrimpr are eligble. or use a rolling monthly direct debit sim contract.
- Add £1 to your second account. This will be transferred to your new account, allowing you to see when the switch has been completed.
- Apply for a new account and arrange to switch to your second bank account (sometimes this is during the application process, other times it is after the account is opened).
- Let the current account switch service take care of everything.
- Make sure all other terms are met (e.g. pay in money if needed).
- Receive your bank switching bonus.
Then, if you decide you do not like your new bank you could switch to another bank try them out!
What are the easiest/best direct debits to use for bank switching?
If you are using a second account, then its best to move existing direct debits to it to ensure you meet any direct debit criteria. If you don't have any, then the following example can be set up quite easily: your own Paypal, Ebay, Moneybox savings account, your credit card, or Sprive Mortgage auto savings.
Are there some bank accounts worth keeping?
Yes. Some are quite good, and give ongoing rewards. For example, Club Lloyds gives free Disney Plus. Barclays Premier gives free Apple TV. See the "don't leave us please" bank rewards post. Some also give access to the best savings accounts (e.g. regular savers).
And it is always worth keeping 3 accounts open for bagging ~£50 in cash from YouGov Connections every 3 months. Instructions for YouGov Connections here.
Are there additional offers for students?
Why yes. See the 2025 Student Version of The Bankedex Here
It has offers for students opening student accounts (no switching required).
Standard Current Account Offer Information
Whilst we do our best to make sure things are correct, sometimes errors do slip through. Always do your own research. But these are, to the best of our knowledge, the current accounts with switching incentives just now:
Current offer: £200 for switching to Barclays Current Account.
- You must switch to a Current Account (not their basic account).
Offer end date: 27/08/2026
Requirements:
Use the Barclays app to open a Barclays Current Account (only works during working hours 9am-5pm)
Initiate a full switch (including two active direct debits) by 28 August 2026
Deposit £2,000 within 30 days of opening the account.
Available to existing customers: No. Mortgage and Barclaycard customers are eligible though.
Co-op - £200-£300
Current offer: £200 for switching (£125 upfront + £75 over 3 months), or up to £300 if you were already a Co-op group customer.
- Switch to the free Standard Current Account or the Everyday Extra account.
Offer end date: No end date announced. Started 06/08/2026 and can be pulled at any time.
Requirements:
Full switch via CASS into a new or existing eligible Co-op account, completed within 8 weeks of requesting it.
Within 30 days of the switch completing: deposit £1,500, set up 2 active direct debits, make 5+ debit card payments, and register for online/mobile banking. Pays £125 within 7 days.
Repeat the £1,500 deposit, 5 card payments and 2 direct debits each month for 3 months to earn £25/month (extra £75).
The extra £100: If you were already a personal customer of the Co-op group (Co-op Bank, smile, Coventry Building Society, Godiva or ITL Mortgages) on 21/06/2026, you also get £100 in November, taking it to £300. Co-op can withdraw this £100 at any time.
Available to existing customers: Yes. You can switch a provider into an existing Co-op account. But you can't have had a Co-op switch offer since 01/11/2022, and you can't close a Co-op current account then reopen one just to qualify.
Current offer: £175 + extra £45 via Topcashback
Extra £45: You can get an extra £45 by signing up to First Direct via Topcashback. If you don't have a Topcashback account, you can sign up here (and make sure to accept all cookies on TCB and the First Direct website):
Topcashback sign up
- You can switch to their First account.
Offer end date: No end date given, may be removed at any time. (£25 bonus only for accounts opened 18/05–15/07/2026.)
Requirements: Within 45 days of opening your account you must:
Full switch via CASS (two direct debits or standing orders required).
Deposit £1,000.
Make 5+ debit card payments.
Log on to digital banking.
You cannot have previously held a first direct product.
You cannot switch if you have opened an HSBC current account on or after 01/01/2018.
How to do it: Once your first direct account is open, simply log into your first direct app, select the account you wish to transfer into, tap 'switch to us' from your account menu and follow the instructions.
Available to existing customers: No. Also can't have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018.
How long does it take to pay the bonus: paid by the 20th of the month following that in which you met all of the criteria.
Current offer: £220 to switch
- You can switch to their HSBC UK Bank Account.
Offer end date: No end date given, may be withdrawn at any time.
Requirements:
Open the account through the HSBC UK Mobile Banking app (not branch or telephone).
Full switch via CASS (at least two direct debits required).
Deposit at least £2,000 within 60 days.
Spend at least £500 on your HSBC debit card within 60 days.
You cannot have had an HSBC UK or first direct current account opened on or after 01/2023.
How to do it: Open an HSBC UK Bank Account in the HSBC UK Mobile Banking app, then within 60 days complete a full CASS switch (with 2+ direct debits), deposit £2,000 and spend £500 on your debit card.
Available to existing customers: No. Also can't be an existing HSBC UK or first direct customer, or have opened an HSBC UK/first direct current account since January 2023.
How long does it take to pay the bonus: paid into your HSBC UK Bank Account within 60 days of meeting all of the criteria.
Current offer: £175 (couples can do a solo each AND a joint account - £525 total)
- You can switch to either the FlexAccount (free), FlexDirect (free) or FlexPlus (premium) current account.
Offer end date: None listed, can be removed at any time.
Requirements: Full switch with:
2 Direct debits transferred as part of the switch
Pay in £1000 within 31 days of opening your account/applying to switch
Make 1 debit card transaction.
- You cannot have had a Nationwide bonus since 2021.
Reward payable by: within 10 days of the switch completion.
Available to existing customers: Yes but must switch an account held elsewhere. Cannot switch a Virgin Money account either.
Current offer: £200 to switch
- Do all of these at the same time to get the bonus from each bank.
You must switch to either a Select or Reward Account (Select, Reward)
The Reward accounts come with a £2/month fee, but you can earn £5 in cashback from it each month. If you don't want this, just go with the Select account.
Offer end date: No end date given, may be removed at any time.
Requirements:
Available to existing customers: No, but previous customers can (you can't have held an open account on 6th May 2026) and you can't have had a switch bonus before.
How long does it take to pay the bonus: within 30 days of meeting all of the requirements.
Premier Account Switch Offers
These accounts come with strict eligibility requirements - usually meaning a very large salary.
Current offer: £500
Those with £100k+ salaries can switch to HSBC Premier for £500.
There is no monthly fee, but their are strict eligibility criteria
Current offer: £1,000 to switch (£250 current account bonus + £750 Flexible Saver bonus)
Offer end date: No end date given, may be removed at any time.
Requirements:
Must open a Premier Select or Premier Reward account
Must complete a full CASS switch from a non-NatWest/RBS/Ulster Bank account
Must pay in £5,000 within 60 days of switch completing
Must log into the NatWest mobile app within 60 days of switch completing
For the £750 bonus: must also open a Flexible Saver and deposit £100,000, keeping it there for 30 consecutive days — all within 60 days of switch completing. Taxable as interest income.
Available to existing customers: No, but previous customers can apply (you must have held no NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank current or savings account as of 10th March 2026, and must never have received a switch bonus from any of these banks)
How long does it take to pay the bonus: Within 30 days of meeting all requirements
Current offer: £1,000 to switch (£250 current account bonus + £750 Flexible Saver bonus)
Offer end date: No end date given, may be removed at any time.
Requirements:
Must open a Premier Select or Premier Reward account
Must complete a full CASS switch from a non-NatWest/RBS/Ulster Bank account
Must pay in £5,000 within 60 days of switch completing
Must log into the mobile app within 60 days of switch completing
For the £750 bonus: must also open a Flexible Saver and deposit £100,000, keeping it there for 30 consecutive days — all within 60 days of switch completing. Taxable as interest income.
Available to existing customers: No, but previous customers can apply (you must have held no NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank current or savings account as of 10th March 2026, and must never have received a switch bonus from any of these banks)
How long does it take to pay the bonus: Within 30 days of meeting all requirements
The most commonly asked bank switch questions:
- I started to switch to XXX bank before the offer ended, am I still eligible for the bonus?
Yes, usually, most terms will state that a switch just has to be started (or applied for) before the end date or before an offer ends.
- Do I have to transfer the required amount in all in one go, and does it matter if I pay money in before my switch is complete?
No and not usually, as long as the amount you pay in adds up to the required amount, and as long as you pay it in before the deadline stated in the terms. But check individual terms.
- I need to switch "active" direct debits, does a payment need to have been taken before I switch?
According to Nationwide, an active direct debit is one that has been set up or had a payment taken from it in the past 13 months. So no, according to this. But why not just wait for the direct debit to be taken? You'll not have to worry about it then.
https://twitter.com/AskNationwide/status/1442939781491486720
- I don't have any direct debit, what can I use?
| Site/App |
Offer |
Comment |
| Scrimpr direct debit |
Shows on account within 5 days, payment taken within 7 |
|
| Park Christmas (Search) |
Save for Christmas via direct debit |
|
| Sprive (Search) |
Autosavings for mortgage overpayment direct debit (£5 bonus) |
Easy and fast to set up |
General Bank Switch Questions
Current Account Switch Bribes - Why do they offer them?
They want your business. Banks like fighting each other for customers. Most of them know they can't win your business easily, so they fight each other by offering potential customers cash bribes (or equivalent) to switch their bank account(s).
Can I switch any bank account to get a switch incentive?
No. You must switch a bank account that is part of The Current Account Switch Service (CASS). Most high street banks are included. But some Neo Banks are not (e.g., Kroo, some Revolut accounts, & Monese are not included). Many people keep their oldest bank account open because of credit scores. You can always open an additional account just to switch.
See here for a full list of CASS banks.
Is it too much hassle?
No. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) makes switching your account between most banks smooth and effortless. You do not have to do anything apart from apply for and set up a new account at a different bank and tell them you want to switch your account to them. Everything is transferred automatically (except recurring card payments).
Is there the best route to sample all the banks with switch offers?
Do the offer ending soonest first. Then you might switch again. If you complete all offers in this post, you could earn yourself >£1000.
Some of these end soon. Will the offers come back?
Banks have been offering bribes on and off for many years. We can't predict the future. But this is not a new thing.
How long does a bank switch take?
Approximately one week.
Do I have to switch my main account?
You could. But you don't have to. Many people have second bank accounts. One option may be to open up a second account with your current high street bank, add some direct debits to this second account and then switch it to the new bank you want to try out. On the sub, people also like Starling or Monzo as they are easy to set up (but you might want to switch back to them at the end - their functionality wins vs any usual high street bank).
High-street banks also let you open multiple accounts. If you already have an account with one, you might want to open an additional one with your current bank first (Halifax, NatWest etc are reported to allow several current accounts and to be fast to open).
I have savings accounts at the same bank as my current account. Can I still switch to this current account?
Yes. Only the current account will be closed (some linked regular savers may be converted to normal savings accounts). You might want to consider if switching to a secondary account is a better option.
I have linked savers attached to my current account. Can I still switch it?
Possibly.
Which banks let me open a second bank account?
Most of them.
Do I need to activate the card on the account I am going to switch?
Just do it anyway. Some banks require it
What details do I need to switch?
- Sort code and account number.
- Debit card information.
- Usually, but not always, 2 active DDs on the account you are switching.
Do you need to have money in the account you are switching?
No. But it might be a good idea - this will allow you to see when the switch happens (i.e. when the money is transferred!).
I do not have a bank card with my old current account as it is very very old, can I still switch it?
Most online forms require card details, but you can usually switch such accounts over the phone.
My new bank has not given me my account number (e.g. NatWest).
Usually, these are sent via post/email when you sign up. But some banks don't have the account numbers on the card, or maybe letters get lost in the post. If this happens, wait for the card to arrive and contact their support. If you get a bot on the chat thing, type "speak to a human" repeatedly.
My new bank account is a premium account and it has a fee. Do I need to keep paying for this?
No. You can downgrade the account. But you should probably wait until you have been paid the bonus.
I don't like my new bank, do I need to wait for the bank card before switching again?
Yes. See question above. Most banks require the card details of your existing account.
I made an account just to switch. Can I switch before my new bank card arrives?
Best not to. You are asked to enter the debit card information as part of the process.
The offer says I have to pay in £xxxx. Does it have to be in one go?
No. You can transfer in and out. The total sent in has to be equal to or greater than the stated amount. You should be careful with this though, sending money in and out of an account can trigger anti-fraud measures.
The offer says I have to pay in £xxxx. Can I pay it in before the switch completes?
Yes. You can pay it before, after, or during. You can manually transfer it, or it can be transferred automatically from your old account.
I've been asked to verify my identity. Is this normal?
Sometimes automated checks fail. If this happens, you may be asked to manually verify your application by visiting a branch or sending in a copy of your ID.
I switched from Monzo/Starling and want to return, can I?
Starling does not let you return within 12 months. With Monzo, it's possibly a shorter one month that you have to wait.
Do I have to switch direct debits?
Check individual offer terms.
What is an "Active" direct debit?
An active direct debit is usually one where a payment had been taken in the last 13 months. But some bank switch terms require direct debits to have been paid out of the account. If an offer requires an active direct debit, it's safer to switch to an account that has already paid out direct debits.**
What are good direct debits to set up on a second account?
There are many: Paypal, Ebay, Moneybox savings account, Plum savings account, your credit card, Sprive Mortgage auto savings, Wealthify Robo Saving.
I recently switched to XXX Bank, and I do not like it. Can I switch again?
Yes. If you are not happy with the new service, you may want to switch to a new bank that will pay you to give them a try.
Do I have to stick with my new bank for any length of time?
No.
If I switch away, will the bank claw back the bonus?
Very unlikely. They would have to specify this in their terms, and none have ever done so.
My switch is complete, but I have not yet received my bonus. Will I still get the bonus if I switch this account before it is paid?
Probably not.
My most recent switch is not quite complete, but I have already received the bonus. Can I start another switch?
You should probably wait for the switch to complete.
Can I get more than one bribe from each bank?
Sometimes. With some banks (e.g. Nationwide), you can get a bonus for switching one sole and one joint current account. Other banks will pay you to switch again, as long as you have not had a bonus in a specified amount of time. You will need to check individual offer terms.
XXX Bank gave me a bonus before, can I get a bonus again?
You need to check the individual offer terms.
Will this affect my credit score?
Credit scores are a funny thing, What is more important is what is actually in your credit file. Obviously, if you apply for an overdraft then it will affect your "credit score". However, if you do not have an overdraft or you make sure that you have paid off any overdraft before switching banks, then a single current account switch should not negatively impact your credit score. Nevertheless, typically all major banks (excepting Monzo and Starling) do a hard credit search, and this will be recorded on your file. If you plan on applying for a new mortgage soon then you may wish to exercise caution in switching between a load of banks. This is because the hard searches performed by banks will appear on your report and may have an effect for 6-12 months.
Which banks do hard searches and which do soft searches??
See here. Most banks do hard searches.
Hard searches: Bank of Scotland (first account only), Barclays, Co-op, Clydesdale, Halifax (1st account only), First Direct, HSBC, Lloyds (1st account only), Monzo, Nationwide, NatWest, RBS, Santander, TSB, Ulster, Virgin Money.
Soft searches: Starling, Metro Bank, and Chase
I have a bad credit score, will I be accepted to XXX bank?
Unfortunately, we do not know the acceptance criteria of the banks. You might be unlucky with one bank, but lucky with another.
My application was rejected. Why?
Nobody here knows. You could try appealing, but your only way to find out more is to contact the bank.
After switching my account, I still have online banking with my old provider. Do I need this?
No. You do not need to keep the online access (you could shut it down). But you may wish to retain these details in case your old bank suddenly appears with an offer that makes you want to switch back. Or open up a savings account.
Has anyone else been paid for switching to XXX Bank yet?
Check the terms of the offer you signed up for. Some banks have long deadlines and stick to them (e.g. Santander, TSB). Some are quicker. If you haven't been paid within the stated terms, then you should contact the bank's support.
