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How do bank switching offers work, and what should you check?

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UKPublished 6 October 2026 · Written by BuyMeWhiskey Editorial Team · How we check facts

A bank-switching offer is usually conditional on meeting the new account's eligibility rules and completing the required switch correctly. The safest approach is to check the terms, use the Current Account Switch Service where available, and keep evidence of what you agreed.

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Before switching, check the Current Account Switch Service process and guarantee for the bank you are considering.

Check the Current Account Switch Service

Treat the offer as a set of conditions

A switching promotion is not simply “open this account and get money”. The bank decides the qualifying conditions. Those can include opening a particular account, moving an existing current account, paying in a required amount, setting up or switching Direct Debits, and completing the switch by a stated deadline.

Because offers change, this page does not quote a particular bank's bonus or an expiring amount. The lasting question is how to assess the offer. Read the eligibility definition, the switch method, the required dates, any minimum funding rules and any exclusions before you apply.

What the Current Account Switch Service does

The Current Account Switch Service, or CASS, is designed to move participating current accounts from one provider to another. Its guarantee says the switch is free, simple and secure. It transfers payments, moves the balance, closes the old account and redirects payments sent to the old account.

The standard CASS process takes 7 working days. The service also says that if something goes wrong with the switch, charges or interest incurred because of the switching problem should be refunded.

Check eligibility before you open anything

MoneyHelper notes that current-account applications can involve credit checks and that opening multiple accounts in a short period can affect a credit score. That does not make switching automatically harmful; it means you should be deliberate about how many applications you make.

Some accounts require a minimum amount to be paid in each month, a minimum number of Direct Debits or other criteria. These are account-specific requirements. Never assume that a salary payment, a standing order or an existing Direct Debit will count until the terms say so.

What happens to Direct Debits and incoming payments?

Under CASS, eligible payments linked to the old account are transferred, and payments arriving at the old account are redirected. MoneyHelper also explains that the service can move Direct Debits and standing orders and redirect incoming payments such as wages or benefits.

There is an important timing detail: if you create a new payment arrangement on the old account inside the 7-working-day period before the agreed switch date, the CASS service says that new arrangement will not be transferred. Set up any new payments on the new account instead.

What if the old account is overdrawn?

You can use CASS with an overdraft, but your new bank must agree any overdraft facility you need. If it will not provide an equivalent facility, you may need to make a separate plan to repay the old overdraft before the switch can complete.

This is a key example of why a promotion should never be assessed in isolation. An account may look attractive because of a temporary incentive but be less suitable if the new bank's overdraft terms are materially worse for your circumstances.

Will switching hurt your credit score?

Opening a new current account can involve a credit search, and MoneyHelper says that opening multiple accounts in a short period can negatively affect your credit score. A full CASS switch also closes the old current account, so the effect depends on the account and your wider credit history.

The practical lesson is to avoid opening a string of current accounts simply because several promotions are advertised at once. Pick accounts that meet your needs, and read the eligibility terms before submitting applications.

Keep proof of the conditions you met

For any conditional promotion, keep a copy of the terms, the application confirmation and the completion notice. Screenshots can be useful when the promotion is displayed online, especially if wording is likely to change after a campaign ends.

Also keep records of the qualifying payments or switch date. If the bank later says a condition was not met, a clear record can make a complaint much easier.

What if the bank says you did not qualify?

Start by asking which exact condition was not met. Compare the bank's explanation with the terms you saved. If the bank still refuses and you think the decision is wrong, make a formal complaint and keep the response.

MoneyHelper says payment-related complaints have a 15-day investigation timeframe for a final response, with different rules for other banking complaints, and unresolved complaints can be taken to the free Financial Ombudsman Service within the relevant time limit.

The best way to judge a switching offer

Ignore the headline bonus until you have checked the conditions. Confirm that you qualify, that the account suits your day-to-day needs, that the switch route is eligible, and that you can meet any funding or payment requirements without creating unnecessary debt or fees.

The strongest switching offers are the ones where the account would still make sense after the promotion has ended. That is the lasting test that protects you from chasing a short-lived headline.

Worked example

Illustrative example: suppose a bank's terms require a full CASS switch and a certain monthly funding condition. The customer chooses a switch date after the normal 7-working-day CASS process has been allowed for. The customer keeps the saved terms, confirmation email and switch completion message.

Minimum CASS processing period: 7 working days.
New payment arrangements created less than 7 working days before the agreed switch date are not transferred by CASS and should instead be created on the new account.
The customer checks the offer terms before applying rather than relying on a headline promotion.

No bonus amount is included because bank incentives expire and change. The example is about the process, not a current offer. The practical value is that the customer can prove which version of the terms they accepted and whether the qualifying steps were completed.

How long does a bank switch take in the UK?#

A full Current Account Switch Service switch takes 7 working days. During the process, eligible payments and the balance are moved and the old account is closed. You should also pay attention to the switch date because new payment arrangements created within the final 7 working days may need to be set up on the new account instead.

Do I need Direct Debits to get a switching bonus?#

Only if the specific offer says so. Some current accounts require a minimum number of Direct Debits, while others use different qualifying conditions. Read the bank's current terms rather than relying on a forum post or an old promotion, because the conditions can change.

Can I switch bank accounts just for a bonus?#

Yes, people often do, but the account still needs to be suitable. Check fees, overdraft terms, service quality, eligibility and how long you must keep the account. A temporary incentive is less useful if the new account creates costs or problems after the promotion ends.

Will switching bank accounts damage my credit score?#

Opening a new current account can involve a credit search, and multiple applications in a short period can affect your score. A single well-planned switch is not automatically a problem. Check which type of account you are applying for and avoid opening many accounts purely to chase promotions.

What happens to my salary when I switch banks?#

If you use the Current Account Switch Service, incoming payments sent to the old account are automatically redirected to the new account. You may still want to update your employer and other organisations so your records contain the new details.

What happens to an overdraft when I switch?#

You can switch an overdrawn current account through CASS, but the new bank must agree any overdraft facility you need. If it does not provide suitable borrowing, you will need another arrangement to repay the old overdraft before the switch.

What should I keep as proof of a bank-switching offer?#

Save the terms and conditions, application confirmation, switch confirmation and any evidence of qualifying payments. Screenshots are helpful when the offer is online. If the bank later says a condition was not met, those records give you a clear basis for checking and, if necessary, complaining.

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Sources

Figures were checked against these sources before publication. If a rule changes, we update the page and show the new date.

General information, not personal financial advice. Rules depend on your circumstances; check the official source or speak to a regulated adviser before acting.