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To switch a personal current account, open an account with the new bank or building society, then ask it to arrange a free switch through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). CASS moves your balance and eligible regular payments, redirects payments sent to the old account and closes the old account on the agreed switch date. Allow at least seven working days after opening the new account and agreeing the date.

What the Current Account Switch Service does

CASS is arranged through your new bank or building society; it does not choose or open an account for you. It is for regular personal current accounts at participating providers, not savings accounts or ISAs. Check the service overview and personal-account FAQs for current participation and eligibility details.

Under the service, the balance and regular incoming and outgoing payments—such as salary, benefits, Direct Debits and standing orders—are transferred. Payments sent to the old account after the switch are redirected; the guarantee says the sender will be contacted with your new account details.

How to switch your account

  1. Choose and open the new account

    Compare accounts against what you need: monthly fees, overdraft rates and charges, eligibility and funding conditions, branch or banking-hub access, and compatibility with services you use. Some deals require a minimum monthly deposit or a set number of Direct Debits, so read the terms before applying. MoneyHelper’s guide to choosing a bank account explains factors to consider. The new provider completes its own account-opening and identity or security checks; opening the account and switching it are separate steps.

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  2. Request CASS through the new provider

    Once the account is open, ask the new bank or building society to switch it using CASS. Give it the requested details for your old account and agree a switch date. The new provider manages the process. Allow at least seven working days, and choose a date that is not a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday. See the personal switching process for the service’s steps.

  3. Keep the final seven working days clear

    Your old account remains usable until the agreed switch date, but do not set up new Direct Debits or standing orders on it during the seven working days before that date. Arrange any new payments on the new account instead.

  4. Check the new account after the switch

    On the switch date, the old account closes and the remaining balance and regular payment arrangements move. Check that important payees and expected payments appear as intended. If a payment is sent to the old account, CASS redirects it under the service arrangements.

What the Current Account Switch Guarantee covers

The guarantee is offered by your new participating provider. It says the service is free, the balance and regular payments are transferred, payments sent to the old account are redirected, and charges or interest caused by a switching failure are refunded. Any additional compensation beyond that refund is decided by the provider. Read the Current Account Switch Guarantee for its terms.

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Situations that need extra attention

  • You have an overdraft: You can apply to switch while overdrawn, but the new provider must separately agree to offer an overdraft under its lending criteria. Your existing limit does not automatically transfer. If the providers have not agreed how the existing overdraft will be handled, arrange repayment separately before switching. Approval and terms are not guaranteed.
  • You have a joint account: Both account holders must agree to the switch, and the destination must also be a joint account. CASS cannot switch a joint account to a sole account.
  • You want to keep the old account: A CASS switch closes it. If you want it to remain open, contact the old bank about another arrangement; that route is not covered by the CASS guarantee.
  • You use payment apps or financial-data connections: Third-party payment services, money-management apps and financial-data permissions do not transfer automatically. Contact each provider and re-authorise access with the new account. Compatibility varies by third party.
  • Your account details do not match: If the details you give the new provider do not match the old bank’s records, you may need to update your details with the old bank before the switch can proceed.
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Check the account terms before committing

Provider participation, fees, rates, eligibility and promotions can change. Check the current terms directly with the bank before applying, especially if you are relying on a particular overdraft, account feature or switching incentive. CASS moves the account arrangements covered by the service; it does not guarantee acceptance for a new account or a particular lending decision.

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