Switching your bank account is one of the easiest financial wins available to UK adults. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) moves everything — direct debits, standing orders, incoming payments, and salary — to a new bank in 7 working days, with a full guarantee that covers any losses if something goes wrong. Switching bonuses currently range from £100 to £200 for a process that takes around 20 minutes of your time.
This hub covers everything you need to know about UK current accounts: choosing the right account for your needs, using CASS to switch safely, earning switching bonuses, and understanding your FSCS protection.
Current Account Types in the UK
| Account type | Monthly fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard current account | £0 | Most employed adults — debit card, overdraft option, direct debits |
| Basic bank account | £0 | Those with poor or no credit history — no overdraft, no credit check |
| Packaged account | £10–£25/month | Travellers and car owners who’ll use bundled insurance |
| App-first / challenger account | £0 | Mobile-first banking, budgeting pots, instant notifications |
| Student current account | £0 | Students — 0% overdraft, in-branch access |
| Business current account | Varies | Self-employed and limited company directors |
Most adults on standard salaries benefit most from a fee-free current account that pays cashback, a high-interest linked savings account, or a meaningful switching bonus — and using CASS to switch to it costs nothing.
How the Current Account Switch Service Works
The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) is run by Pay.UK and backed by all major UK banks. Every bank that participates in CASS is bound by the Switch Guarantee.
| Step | What happens | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Apply to new bank | Open the new account and request a full switch | Day 0 |
| 2. New bank contacts old bank | Migration of direct debits and standing orders begins | Days 1–3 |
| 3. Payments redirect | Salary, direct debits, standing orders all move | By Day 7 |
| 4. Old account closes | Switch is complete; old account becomes read-only | Day 7 |
| 5. Old payments forwarded | Any company still using old details is automatically redirected | 3 years |
The CASS guarantee means your new bank must refund any charges or losses resulting from a switching error. In practice, errors are rare — over 8.1 million switches have been completed successfully, and over 99% complete within 7 working days.
What CASS does not handle automatically: standing orders you have set up yourself through online banking (as opposed to direct debits set up by payees). Check your standing orders list and update any that don’t move.
Switching Bonuses — What’s Available in 2026
Switching bonuses are cash payments from banks trying to grow their customer base. They’re typically paid 20–30 days after you meet the qualifying criteria.
Typical qualifying conditions:
- Use CASS to complete a full switch (partial switches usually don’t qualify)
- Set up a minimum number of active direct debits (usually 2–4)
- Pay in a minimum monthly amount (typically £500–£1,500)
- Keep the account active for 30–90 days after switching
Current bonus range: £100–£200 cash. Check current live offers in our Best Bank Account Switching Bonuses guide.
Worked Example: Earning a £175 Switching Bonus
Sarah switches from her long-standing high-street bank to a challenger bank offering a £175 incentive:
- She opens the new account via the bank’s app and requests a full CASS switch
- Within 7 working days, her salary, 9 direct debits, and 2 standing orders have moved
- Her old bank redirects two payments sent to her old sort code
- She receives the £175 bonus 30 days after meeting the criteria
- Total active effort: approximately 20 minutes
If Sarah switches again in 12 months to a different bank, she can earn another bonus. There’s no rule limiting how often you can switch — though excessive applications in a short period may affect your credit file (soft checks used by app banks don’t leave a mark, but hard checks from high-street banks do).
Comparing Current Accounts — What to Look For
Beyond switching bonuses, these are the factors that affect everyday value:
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Overdraft rate | Most banks charge ~39.9% EAR. If you use one regularly, this cost outweighs any bonus |
| Cashback on spending | Chase UK pays 1% cashback on spending (capped); others pay cashback on bill payments |
| Interest on balance | A small number of accounts pay in-credit interest (usually up to a monthly balance cap) |
| Linked savings rate | Some banks (e.g. First Direct) offer a high-rate regular saver linked to your current account |
| App quality | Instant notifications, spending categories, card freeze, and budgeting pots |
| Customer service | Which? bank satisfaction scores and Trustpilot reviews reflect real-world experience |
| Branch and cash access | High-street and Post Office access matters if you regularly handle cash |
| International spending | Fee-free abroad spending is standard on app-based accounts (Chase, Monzo, Starling) |
The right account depends on your usage. A cashback card plus a fee-free current account will outperform a packaged account for most people who don’t use travel insurance regularly.
FSCS Protection on Current Accounts
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects your money if your bank fails. Protection limits apply per person, per banking licence — not per account.
| Situation | Protection amount |
|---|---|
| Sole account | £85,000 per banking licence |
| Joint account | £170,000 total (£85,000 per person) |
| Temporary high balance | Up to £1,000,000 for 6 months after qualifying event |
Temporary high-balance qualifying events include: sale of a residential property, receipt of an insurance payout, redundancy payment, inheritance, or divorce settlement. You must notify your bank for the enhanced protection to apply.
Shared banking licences — deposits at these brands count toward the same £85,000 limit:
| Group | Brands covered |
|---|---|
| Lloyds Banking Group | Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland |
| NatWest Group | NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank |
| Santander Group | Santander UK, Cahoot |
| Virgin Money Group | Virgin Money, Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank |
If you hold more than £85,000 in savings, spread it across different banking licences. Use the FSCS website to check which brands share a licence.
Opening a Bank Account in the UK
Most banks require:
- Proof of identity: passport or UK driving licence
- Proof of address: utility bill, council tax bill, or bank statement (usually dated within 3 months)
- UK residency: some banks require you to have been a UK resident for 3+ months
If you don’t have standard ID: Basic bank accounts have reduced identity requirements. Monzo and Starling accept a range of documents including provisional licences, biometric residence permits, and national identity cards. See our How to Open a Bank Account guide for the full list of accepted documents, including options for new UK residents, students, and those with no fixed address.
Articles in This Cluster
- Current Account Switch Service Guide — step-by-step CASS walkthrough, checklist of what moves automatically, and what to do if something goes wrong
- Best Bank Account Switching Bonuses UK 2026 — current live cash offers ranked, eligibility criteria explained, and how to maximise your bonus
- Best Current Accounts UK 2026 — top picks by category: cashback, interest, overdraft, and app quality
- Best Current Accounts for Paying Bills — accounts that pay cashback on household bills and reward you for direct debits
- How to Open a Bank Account UK — ID requirements, options for bad credit, non-UK citizens, students, and no-fixed-address applicants
- How to Close a Bank Account — step-by-step closure process, what to do before you close, and how to handle outstanding direct debits
- What Happens to Direct Debits When You Switch Banks? — exactly what CASS moves automatically, what you must move yourself, and what to check after day 7
Related Hubs
- Joint Accounts — how joint accounts work, FSCS protection, and what happens at separation or death
- Bank Reviews — individual bank comparisons: Monzo, Starling, Chase, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and more
- Specialist Accounts — basic accounts, student accounts, accounts for bad credit, and credit unions
- Payments and Transactions — direct debits, standing orders, CHAPS transfers, and payment problem resolution