Switching your current account

Switching your current account from your existing bank or building society is super easy.

All you need to do

  • Have or apply for a current account
  • Give us the account number and sort code of your old account
  • Have your old debit card details available
  • Let us know the date you want to finish switching

That's it!

Payments are transferred automatically

All your Direct Debits, standing orders, and bill payments will be automatically transferred.

Payments are redirected

Any payments into your old account will be redirected to your new account.

If there are any problems, we guarantee to cover you

If anything does go wrong, we guarantee to sort it out for you and cover any losses you might incur. This is covered in the Current Account Switch Guarantee.

Current Account Switch Guarantee

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We have designed the Current Account Switch Service to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take seven working days. As your new current-account provider we offer the following guarantee:

  • The service is free to use and you can choose and agree your switch date with us.

  • We will take care of moving all your payments going out (for example, your Direct Debits and standing orders) and those coming in (for example, your salary).

  • If you have money in your old account, we will transfer it to your new account on your switch date.

  • We will arrange for payments accidentally made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account. We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details.

  • If there are any issues in making the switch, we will contact you before your switch date.

  • If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current accounts as a result of this failure.

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For more information go to www.currentaccountswitch.co.uk

Worth knowing

7 business days to switch

It takes 7 business days to complete the switch. During that period, you'll be able to use your new account as you would normally.

The Current Account Switch Guarantee only applies if your old account is closed as part of the switch

If you choose a partial switch, not a full switch, we won’t cover you for any potential financial loss. 

If you keep your old account open, we won't cover the costs of any missed payments.

Switching with an overdraft or overdrawn balances

You can begin a switch even if you're overdrawn, but overdrawn balances are not transferred as part of a switch. This means you must pay back the overdrawn balance and any fees or charges on your old account before you can complete the switch.

You can pay back overdrawn balances on your old account using an overdraft with us if you’ve applied and been approved. Approval is subject to eligibility and based on a credit check and assessment of your personal circumstances.

Other stuff you may want to do

When will the money in my old account be transferred to my new account?

Your money will be moved to your new account on your switch date. Before this you will be able to access your money in your old account.

Are there any fees or charges for switching?

Switching current accounts is always free of charge.

If you apply for a full switch, you will be covered the by the Current Account Switch Guarantee. This means we will cover you if anything goes wrong and you’re charged as a result, such as for late payments.

If you apply for a partial switch, you won’t be covered the Guarantee, so you may be charged if you miss any payments, so it’s important to pay attention to your regular payments and bills once your new account is open.

What might cause my switch to fail?

Your switch will fail if any of the following happens:

  • You don’t provide the correct information – for example, if you have a debit card associated with your old account, but you provide incorrect card details, or don’t provide any card details
  • Your old bank account is not eligible for a switch – for example, if it’s closed or you’re already switching from that account
  • You try to switch from a joint account to a sole account.

Will my Open Banking services transfer along with my switch?

Your Open Banking services and permissions won’t transfer with your switch. If you have any set up on your old account which you’d like to continue using:

  • Before you switch, check which service providers you have active permissions set up with on your old account.
  • After you’ve switched, contact the service providers you had active permissions set up with to give them your new account details.

We may not support your service provider as we only work with service providers that have been certified by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Open Banking services involve allowing service providers to make payments on your behalf, and to access your financial data. Examples of service providers include financial comparison websites, money management apps and payment services. Read more about Open Banking

Want to make the switch?

If you’ve already got an account, you just need to complete our simple online switch form.

Or you can apply as part of your application for our current account.

Important documents

Switching guide (PDF)

Find out more about Financial Services Compensation Scheme | This will open in a new tab

Protecting your money

Your eligible deposits with The Co-operative Bank are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK’s deposit guarantee scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and smile. Any total deposits you hold above the limit between these brands are unlikely to be covered.

Please read further information on the FSCS scheme here or visit their website