Part of the Bank Account Switching guide.
Switching bank accounts used to risk missed payments and disruption. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) eliminates that risk — here is exactly how your direct debits, standing orders, and income are handled when you switch.
How the Current Account Switch Service Handles Your Payments
CASS is a free, guaranteed service run by Pay.UK and backed by every major UK bank and building society. When you use it, the service moves your entire payment setup — not just your balance — within 7 working days. Every participating bank is bound by the same Switch Guarantee: if anything goes wrong as a direct result of the switch, your new bank must correct it and refund any charges or interest you incur.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 working days |
| Direct debits | Automatically transferred to new account |
| Standing orders | Automatically transferred to new account |
| Incoming payments (salary, benefits) | Redirected to new account for 36 months |
| Old account | Closed automatically (unless you choose a partial switch) |
| Guarantee | If anything goes wrong, your new bank fixes it and covers costs |
| Cost | Free |
The Switch Timeline
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You apply to switch at your new bank |
| Days 1–6 | New bank contacts old bank; direct debits, standing orders, and balance are prepared for transfer |
| Day 7 | Switch completes — all payments moved, old account closed, redirect set up |
| Day 7+ | Your new account is fully active with all your payments |
| Ongoing | Redirects from old account details last for 36 months |
What Transfers Automatically
Understanding exactly which payment types CASS moves — and which it does not — is the most important thing to grasp before switching. Direct debits and standing orders work differently from each other, but CASS handles both automatically; recurring debit card charges are a different matter entirely (see below).
| Payment type | Transferred? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct debits | Yes | All transferred; recipient notified of new sort code and account number |
| Standing orders | Yes | All transferred to new account |
| Incoming salary | Redirected | Forwarded for 36 months — update employer directly as soon as possible |
| Benefits (UC, Child Benefit, etc.) | Redirected | Forwarded for 36 months — update DWP/HMRC directly |
| Bank balance | Yes | Remaining balance transferred to new account |
| Overdraft | No | New bank may offer a new overdraft — not guaranteed to match your existing limit |
| Linked savings accounts | No | Stay with old bank — close or move separately |
| Credit cards | No | Not part of the switch |
What You Need to Do Yourself
CASS handles the heavy lifting, but several tasks remain your responsibility. The 36-month redirect catches payments sent to your old account, but it is always better to have your details corrected at source — especially for salary and benefits, where a payroll or DWP systems delay could briefly leave you short.
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Update employer with new details | Payroll systems can lag — do not rely solely on the redirect |
| Update HMRC and DWP | Tax refunds, benefits, and Child Benefit need correct bank details on record |
| Update any casual payers | Friends, family, or clients who pay you by bank transfer need your new sort code |
| Check new overdraft arrangement | Your new bank may offer a lower limit or require a new application |
| Cancel or move linked savings if needed | Savings accounts are separate — decide whether to transfer them |
| Set up the new bank’s app and online banking | Enable instant notifications so you spot any missed payments immediately |
The Critical Exception: Debit Card Subscriptions Are NOT Transferred
This is the single most common mistake people make when switching banks. CASS moves payments linked to your sort code and account number — that is, direct debits and standing orders. Recurring charges linked to your 16-digit debit card number are completely separate and are not touched by CASS.
| Payment type | Transferred by CASS? |
|---|---|
| Direct debits (regular bills, loans, utilities) | Yes |
| Standing orders | Yes |
| Debit card recurring charges (subscriptions) | No — linked to your card number |
| Continuous payment authorities (CPAs) | No — update with each company directly |
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, gym memberships, and similar services that store your card details will continue attempting to charge your old card. Once your old account closes, those charges will fail. Before you switch, make a list of every subscription you pay by card and update each one with your new debit card number when it arrives.
Common CASS Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Direct debit not taken | DD set up between switch starting and completing | Contact new bank — covered by the Switch Guarantee |
| Standing order missed | Same timing issue | New bank must fix and refund any charges |
| Salary paid to old account | Employer not yet updated | Redirect catches it — payment forwarded automatically |
| Old account still appears active | Partial switch selected | Contact old bank to confirm closure status |
| Overdraft not matched at new bank | New bank applied its own credit assessment | Apply for an overdraft with new bank, or keep old account open with a partial switch |
| Subscription charge failed | CPA linked to old card number | Update card details directly with the company |
If a direct debit is collected incorrectly — whether during a switch or at any other time — you are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, which entitles you to an immediate full refund from your bank, no questions asked.
The Switch Guarantee — Your Rights
| What it covers | How it works |
|---|---|
| Missed direct debit or standing order | New bank corrects it and refunds any associated fees |
| Interest charges caused by the switch | Fully refunded by your new bank |
| Late payment charges from third parties | New bank contacts the company on your behalf to resolve it |
| Money lost in transit | Fully covered — your money must arrive at the new account |
| How to claim | Contact your new bank’s switching team — they are obligated to resolve it |
Full Switch vs Partial Switch
| Feature | Full switch | Partial switch |
|---|---|---|
| Old account | Closed on switch date | Stays open |
| Direct debits transferred | All of them | You choose which ones |
| Standing orders transferred | All of them | You choose which ones |
| 36-month redirect in place | Yes | No |
| Balance transferred | Yes | You choose how much |
| Time to complete | 7 working days | 7 working days |
| Best for | Completely moving banks | Keeping old account alongside a new one |
A full switch is the cleanest option for most people. A partial switch is useful if you want to keep your old account open — for example if you have a savings account, mortgage, or credit card with the same bank that you want to maintain.
Switching Checklist
| Before switching | After switching |
|---|---|
| List all direct debits and standing orders on the account | Confirm all direct debits appear on new account |
| Note your overdraft balance and limit | Check standing orders are active |
| Check whether new bank offers a comparable overdraft | Update employer payroll records with new details |
| List all recurring card payments (subscriptions) to update manually | Notify HMRC, DWP, and local council of new bank details |
| Compare fees, interest rates, and features at your new bank | Update card details for subscriptions (Netflix, gym, etc.) |
| Check for available switching bonuses | Monitor both accounts for 2–4 weeks post-switch |
How to Switch Step by Step
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your new bank and open an account |
| 2 | Tell the new bank you want to use the Current Account Switch Service |
| 3 | Choose a switch date (at least 7 working days ahead) |
| 4 | Choose a full or partial switch |
| 5 | New bank handles everything — you receive confirmation at each stage |
| 6 | Start using your new account from the switch date |
You can switch online, by phone, or in branch — most banks build the CASS request into the account opening process itself. Many banks also offer switching bonuses of £100–£200 for eligible new customers, so it is worth comparing offers before you decide which bank to move to.
More from the Bank Account Switching guide: