Current Account Switch Service

The Current Account Switch Service makes switching a current account between banks and building societies simple, reliable and stress-free. The service is free-to-use and available to individuals, small businesses, charities and trusts.

Launched in 2013, the service has gone on to facilitate the switching of over nine million current accounts in the UK, and helped to transform a process which previously could be lengthy and complicated, and which carried uncertainty that all payments would be captured in a switch. It has also been highlighted as an example of best practice, with countries around the world interested in replicating its success.

Importantly, the service is backed by a switch guarantee, ensuring that all payments associated with the customer’s old account, which is closed on completion, will be switched to the new account and ready for use with effect from a pre-agreed switch date.

As a result of a switch, which takes seven working days, any payments that continue to be made to, or collected from, the old account will be automatically redirected to the customer’s new account. The redirection facility will be undertaken for a minimum of three years or longer if needed.