Bank Switching Guide – Bank SwitchDD
UK Current Account Switching

Bank Switching for Beginners 🪴

Switch current accounts in 7 working days and earn up to £400 in free cash & perks.

Switching to a new current account is quick, safe and heavily encouraged by banks with cash bonuses, savings rates and bill cashback. Thanks to the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), your balance, Direct Debits and standing orders move automatically – and you’re protected by the Switch Guarantee.

You don’t even need to switch your main bank to benefit. Many people use a spare “burner” account to collect multiple bonuses over time while leaving their main account untouched.

7-day CASS switch £££ welcome bonuses 2%+ bill cashback Decent savings interest

This guide explains:

  • How the CASS process works (and what it does and doesn’t move)
  • How to decide between switching your main vs secondary account
  • How to meet typical requirements (pay-ins, Direct Debits, card spend)
  • How often you can switch, and what to watch out for (credit checks, overdrafts, bank groups)
  • A simple “first switch” starter plan if you’ve never switched before

Quick Overview: How Bank Switching Works 🌳

Almost all major UK banks use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). It’s designed to be simple and low-stress:

  • 1
    Choose your new bank
    Look at the cash bonus, any monthly fees, savings rates, and perks like cashback or insurance. Check you’re eligible (age, residency, income, “new customer” rules, etc.).
  • 2
    Apply for the account online
    Most applications take 10–15 minutes. You’ll usually need photo ID, proof of address and basic income details. Most decisions are instant.
  • 3
    Ask to use CASS
    During (or just after) application you’ll be asked if you want to switch. You give:
    • Your old bank’s sort code and account number
    • The date you’d like the switch to complete
  • 4
    CASS does the heavy lifting
    Over exactly 7 working days:
    • Your balance moves
    • Your Direct Debits and standing orders move
    • Your old account closes on day 7
  • 5
    You meet any bonus requirements
    Typically within the first 30–45 days you must:
    • Pay in a minimum amount (often around £1,000)
    • Have 2 “active” Direct Debits taken
    • Make a number of debit card payments
    • Log into the app / online banking at least once
  • 6
    Bonus arrives – then you decide what next
    Depending on the bank, your bonus arrives 7–60 days after you’ve met all terms. Then you can:
    • Keep the account for ongoing perks, or
    • Use it as a “burner” to switch again later
? The Current Account Switch Guarantee

Every CASS switch is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee:

  • 7 working days – switches complete on your chosen date.
  • Automatic transfers – your balance, Direct Debits and standing orders move over.
  • Payment redirection for 3 years – money sent to your old account is forwarded to your new one.
  • Charge protection – if anything goes wrong, fees and charges caused by the error are refunded.

Moves automatically: balance, Direct Debits, standing orders, salary/benefits, regular payments, payee list.

You must update manually: recurring card payments (Netflix, gym etc.), Apple/Google Pay, saved card details with retailers, and any budgeting apps linked to the old account.

Should You Switch Your Main Account or a “Burner” Account?

You’re allowed to hold multiple current accounts at once. That gives you two main approaches:

Option 1: Switch Your Main Account

Best for: people genuinely looking for a better long-term banking home.

  • All your money in one place
  • Cleaner overview of your finances
  • No need to juggle lots of accounts

Choose this if you’re unhappy with your current bank’s app, service, charges or features and want to move everything to a better deal.

Option 2: Switch a Secondary “Burner” Account

Best for: people who like their main bank, but still want switch bonuses.

  • Your main account stays stable for salary and bills
  • You use a spare account purely for switching
  • Easy to switch multiple times over a year or two

Many switchers open a second current account and treat it as a burner: salary stays with the main bank, while the burner is moved from offer to offer.

You can hold several accounts at once, as long as you’re approved by each bank. Accounts can have different minimum pay-in rules, Direct Debit requirements and fees – that’s where planning the order of your switches helps.

Meeting Typical Switch Requirements 💰

Most bonuses follow a similar pattern: deposit money, have a couple of Direct Debits running, and make some card payments.

£ Deposit Requirements (Usually Around £1,000)

Many accounts require you to pay in a minimum amount (e.g. £800–£1,500) within 30–45 days.

Key points:

  • You can split the deposit (e.g. £500 + £500).
  • Salary, benefits and transfers from other banks normally count.
  • The money usually doesn’t need to stay there – just pass through, unless the terms say otherwise.
  • Transfers from another account at the same bank usually don’t count.

Example hack: You only have £500 spare, but need to pay in £1,000:

  • Move £500 into the new account.
  • After a day or two, move it back out.
  • Move the same £500 in again.

Total deposits = £1,000, without needing a full £1,000 all at once.

⚠️ Don’t instantly ping money in and out the same minute. Leave funds in place for 24–48 hours to reduce the chance of fraud checks.

DD Direct Debits (Usually 2 Active)

Most bonuses want at least two active Direct Debits to move via CASS.

“Active” means:

  • The Direct Debit has successfully taken at least one payment before you switch.

Easy £1 Direct Debits with SwitchDD

To keep things painless, you can set up small, dedicated £1 Direct Debits just for switching:

👉 Set up your SwitchDD £1 Direct Debit ➜

Once attached to your burner account, these DDs move automatically every time you use CASS – so you don’t have to keep finding new ones.

Other easy Direct Debit ideas:

  • Round-up or savings apps (Plum, Chip, Moneybox, etc.)
  • £1/month charity donations
  • Existing subscriptions (music, streaming, cloud storage)
  • One or two utility bills moved temporarily

Common mistakes:

  • Setting up Direct Debits after requesting the switch
  • Confusing standing orders with Direct Debits
  • Not waiting for the first payment to be taken before switching
💳 Card Spend Requirements

Some banks also require a certain number of debit card payments (e.g. 5+ transactions).

Usually counts:

  • In-store purchases
  • Online shopping
  • Contactless payments
  • Apple Pay / Google Pay / Samsung Pay
  • Recurring card payments (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)

Usually doesn’t count:

  • ATM withdrawals
  • Gambling transactions
  • Crypto purchases
  • Cash-like transactions (currency, money orders)
  • Loan or mortgage payments

Can You Switch Multiple Times?

Yes. There’s no legal limit on how many times you can switch current accounts. The limiting factors are each bank’s own eligibility rules.

Typical Bank Rules

  • “New customer” only – you may be blocked if you’ve had an account there before.
  • Cooldown periods – some banks only let you earn another bonus after 2–3 years away.
  • Bonus date limits – you might not qualify if you’ve had a bonus from them since a specific date.
  • Sister bank exclusions – banking groups often share rules.

Bank Groups to Be Aware Of

  • HSBC Group: HSBC & First Direct
  • Lloyds Banking Group: Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland
  • NatWest Group: NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank
  • Virgin Money Group: Virgin Money, Clydesdale, Yorkshire Bank

Often, if you don’t qualify at one bank in a group, you won’t qualify at its sister brands either – always double-check the small print.

Joint Account Loophole

Some banks let you earn a bonus on both:

  • A sole account, and
  • A joint account with the same bank

This means a couple could potentially earn two bonuses from one provider – one each.

Common strategy: claim a bonus, try the bank for a few months, then either stay for perks or move on to the next offer with your burner account.

Important Things to Watch Out For ⚖️

✔ Credit Checks & Your Credit Score

Most current account applications involve a hard credit check:

  • Appears on your credit file for around 12 months
  • May temporarily reduce your score by a few points
  • Several checks in a short time can worry lenders

⚠️ Planning a mortgage or big loan? Avoid heavy bank-switching in the 6 months before you apply.

OD Overdrafts Don’t Automatically Move

Your arranged overdraft usually doesn’t transfer automatically when you switch.

  • You can clear the overdraft before switching, or
  • Apply for a new overdraft with the new bank, or
  • Move enough money to cover any remaining overdraft with the old bank.

The new bank decides your overdraft limit separately – you might get a lower limit, a higher one, or none.

🔁 What CASS Does Not Move

CASS handles most things, but not everything. You should manually update:

  • Recurring card payments (Netflix, Amazon Prime, gym, etc.)
  • Apple Pay / Google Pay / Samsung Pay
  • Saved card details with online retailers
  • Budgeting / money management apps

Give yourself a week or two after a switch to double-check everything and make sure no payments are missed.

Never Switched Before? Try This Simple Starter Plan 🧰

If you’re nervous about switching your main account straight away, use this “training wheels” method:

  1. Open a second current account with your existing bank (CASS eligible).
  2. Add 1–2 SwitchDD £1 DDs or other small Direct Debits.
  3. Pay in a small amount (e.g. £1–£10) so you can see when the switch completes.
  4. Apply for a bank that’s currently offering a switch bonus.
  5. Request a full CASS switch from your new bonus account, moving the burner account across.
  6. Meet all requirements (minimum pay-ins, card spend, app login, Direct Debits).
  7. Receive your bonus. Decide whether to keep the account or move on to the next offer.

Are Some Accounts Worth Keeping Long Term?

Yes – many switchers keep a small “core” set of accounts for:

  • Ongoing monthly cash rewards
  • High-interest regular saver accounts
  • Cashback on bills or card spending
  • Extra perks such as insurance, breakdown cover or discounts

Student Accounts 🎓

Students can often access interest-free overdrafts and freebies just by opening a student account – no switch required. These offers usually sit separately from switching bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

💷 Which bank has the “best” switching offer?

It depends what you value most:

  • Pure cash: look for the highest one-off bonus.
  • Ongoing value: focus on interest, cashback and rewards.
  • Customer service: some banks consistently rank higher for support and app quality.

Compare current offers and always read the eligibility rules and deadlines carefully.

⏱ How long does a bank switch actually take?

A full CASS switch always completes in exactly 7 working days from your chosen date, backed by the Switch Guarantee.

🏦 Will I lose access to my money during the switch?

No. You can use your old account right up until day 7, and your new account is open and usable as soon as it’s approved. There’s no gap with no banking access.

🔁 Do I have to deposit the full £1,000 in one go?

Usually not. Multiple smaller deposits that add up to the required total are fine – for example, two × £500 payments instead of one £1,000 lump.

DD What counts as an “active” Direct Debit?

An “active” Direct Debit is one that has actually collected at least one payment from your account before the switch completes.

∞ How many times can I switch banks?

There’s no legal limit. You’re mainly limited by:

  • Each bank’s new-customer and cooldown rules
  • How many credit checks you’re happy to have
📉 Will switching affect my credit score?

Each application normally adds a hard search to your credit file (visible for about a year). It may temporarily lower your score slightly, especially if you apply for lots of products in a short period.

🎁 When will I receive my switching bonus?

It depends on the bank. Many pay within 7–10 days of you meeting the requirements; others may take up to 30–60 days. If the money hasn’t arrived after the time stated in the terms, contact the bank.

🚪 Can I switch away after getting my bonus?

In most cases, yes. Once the bonus is paid, you’re free to switch again or close the account, unless the offer terms specify a minimum holding period.

🔐 Can I switch if I’m overdrawn?

You can, but the overdraft itself doesn’t automatically move. Either pay it off, or make sure your new bank agrees an overdraft big enough to cover it – otherwise the old overdraft remains with your old bank.

Video Guides

Video Guide 1

Coming soon