| Bank | Bonus | Key requirement | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC | £220 | Full CASS switch via app. £2,000 deposit + £500 debit card spend within 60 days. 2+ DDs | Ongoing | LIVE |
| NatWest | £200 | £1,250 pay-in + app login | Ongoing | LIVE |
| RBS | £200 | £1,250 pay-in + app login | Ongoing | LIVE |
| Co-operative Bank | Up to £200 | £1,500 pay-in + 5 debit card payments + 2 active DDs within 30 days. £125 upfront, then £25/month x 3 months | Ongoing | LIVE |
| First Direct | £175 | £1,000 pay-in within 45 days + 2 DDs/SOs + 5 card payments | Ongoing | LIVE |
| Nationwide | £175 | £1,000 pay-in + 1 debit card payment within 31 days. Full CASS switch with 2+ DDs | Ongoing | LIVE |
💡 Budgeting Tip: This article shares general financial strategies and may not apply to all situations. Always review your needs or seek advice if unsure. Full disclaimer here.
Looking for the best UK bank switching offers right now? This guide covers every live bonus available in May 2026, with exact qualification steps, what has already ended, and what to watch for next. Offers are reviewed weekly.
New to bank switching? The strategy section at the bottom of this page covers how to protect your main account while switching. For the full dummy account walkthrough, see the dedicated guide linked there.
The sections below cover each live offer in full. If you only have a few minutes, the summary table above shows every offer at a glance.
HSBC: £220 cash bonus
HSBC
£220 cash bonus
| Bonus | £220 for switching to an HSBC UK Bank Account |
| How to qualify | Apply and open your account via the HSBC app only. Complete a full CASS switch, transferring at least 2 Direct Debits to the new account. Deposit £2,000 or more into the account within 60 days of opening. Spend £500 using the debit card linked to the account within 60 days of opening. |
| When you get paid | Within 60 days of meeting all conditions. |
| Eligibility cut-off | Must not have held an HSBC or First Direct current account since January 2023. [confirmed: 3 July 2026] |
| Other exclusions | One payment per person. Must not have previously received this HSBC switch incentive. Must switch from a non-HSBC Group account. |
| Deadline | No confirmed end date. Offer can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Apply without delay if eligible. |
| Official link | View HSBC offer → |
NatWest: £200 cash bonus
NatWest
£200 cash bonus
| Bonus | £200 for switching to a NatWest Select or Reward account |
| How to qualify | Apply online or via the NatWest app only. Branch or phone applications do not qualify. Complete a full CASS switch from a non-NatWest Group account. Pay in £1,250 (can be multiple payments; funds must remain for at least 24 hours). Log into the NatWest mobile app. |
| When you get paid | Within 30 days of meeting all conditions. |
| Eligibility cut-off | NatWest applies a customer eligibility cut-off date. Current cut-off: 6 May 2026 [last checked: 20 June 2026] Customers who held a NatWest current account on this date are not eligible. |
| Other exclusions | Must not have previously received a NatWest Group cash switch incentive (NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank). Switching from a NatWest Group account does not qualify. Joint accounts are not eligible. Offer is once per person. |
| Deadline | No confirmed end date. Offer can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Apply without delay if eligible. |
| Official link | View NatWest offer → |
Worth knowing: The Reward account (£2/month fee) earns you £5/month cashback when you have 2+ Direct Debits and log in to the app monthly, making it effectively profitable after fees. The fee-free Select account works just as well for the bonus if you do not want the ongoing rewards.
RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland): £200 cash bonus
RBS is part of the NatWest Group and runs an identical offer with the same terms and eligibility cut-offs. The shared group exclusion applies: a previous bonus from NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank disqualifies you from both brands. There is no confirmed end date on either offer but both can be withdrawn at any time.
First Direct: £175 cash bonus
First Direct
£175 cash bonus
| Bonus | £175 for switching to the First Direct 1st Account |
| How to qualify | Complete a full CASS switch to First Direct. Set up at least 2 payment instructions (Direct Debits or Standing Orders). Pay in £1,000 within 45 days of account opening. Make 5 debit card payments. Register and log in to mobile or online banking. All conditions must be met within 45 days of account opening. |
| When you get paid | By the 20th of the month following the month in which you meet all the conditions. |
| Eligibility cut-off | First Direct applies a customer eligibility cut-off date. Current cut-off: 1 January 2018 [last checked: 20 June 2026] Customers who have held a First Direct account or opened an HSBC current account on or after this date are not eligible. |
| Account perks | No monthly fee. £250 interest-free overdraft buffer (subject to status). No fees for spending abroad on your debit card. Existing customers can access the First Direct Regular Saver paying 7.00% AER. |
| Deadline | No confirmed end date. Offer can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Apply without delay if eligible. |
| Official link | View First Direct offer → |
Worth knowing: First Direct is consistently rated the UK's top bank for customer service. The current offer window includes an extra £25 on top of the standard £175 (£200 total) for accounts opened by 15 July 2026 - only 12 days away. If you want the 7% Regular Saver, open it after your account is live as it is only available to existing customers, not as part of the switching process.
Nationwide: £175 cash bonus
Nationwide
£175 cash bonus
| Bonus | £175 for switching to a new or existing FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus account |
| How to qualify | Complete a full CASS switch from a non-Nationwide or non-Virgin Money current account. Your old account must have at least 2 Direct Debits to move over. Switch must complete within 28 days. Pay in £1,000 and make 1 debit card payment within 31 days of account opening. |
| When you get paid | Within 10 days of meeting all conditions. |
| Eligibility | Must be the first time you have received a Nationwide switch offer on this account type (sole or joint). You can receive it twice in total, once on a sole account and once on a joint account. Cannot switch from a Nationwide or Virgin Money account. |
| Deadline | No confirmed end date. Described as limited time on the Nationwide website. Apply without delay if eligible. |
| Official link | View Nationwide offer → |
Worth knowing: Nationwide paused its switching offer in March 2026 and has now reactivated it. As a building society, Nationwide also runs an annual Fairer Share payment; eligible members with a qualifying current account and mortgage or savings received £100 in 2026. This is separate from the switching bonus.
Co-operative Bank: up to £200 cash bonus
Co-operative Bank
Up to £200
| Bonus | Up to £200: £125 upfront on qualifying in month 1, then £25/month for up to 3 further months. Note: the £100 loyalty bonus for existing Co-op/smile/Coventry BS customers ended on 17 August 2026. [confirmed: 28 August 2026] |
| How to qualify (Month 1 - £125) | Apply for a new standard Current or Everyday Extra Account (or use an existing eligible Co-op account). Complete a full CASS switch from an external bank (not Co-op or smile). Within 30 days of your switch completing: - Deposit at least £1,500 - Make at least 5 debit card transactions - Have at least 2 active Direct Debits - Register for online or mobile banking Co-op credits £125 within 7 days of you qualifying. |
| How to earn £25/month (Months 2-4) | After qualifying for the £125, continue to meet the same four criteria each month for up to 3 more months. Each month you qualify earns you £25. Maximum additional: £75. |
| Existing customer loyalty bonus | Ended 17 August 2026. The £100 loyalty bonus for existing Co-op Bank, smile, Coventry Building Society, Godiva Mortgages, or ITL Mortgages customers is no longer available. The maximum bonus for all customers is now £200 (£125 + up to £75). |
| Exclusions | Not eligible if you received a Co-op Bank switch incentive since November 2022. smile customers must switch from an external bank (smile accounts cannot be switched to Co-op Bank). Cannot switch from a Co-op or smile account. |
| Deadline | No confirmed end date. The offer or parts of it may be changed or withdrawn at any time. |
| Official link | View Co-operative Bank offer → |
Offers that have recently ended
The following banks ran switching offers within the past six months that are no longer accepting new applications. Banks often reopen similar windows, so bookmark this page to catch them when they return.
Barclays ENDED 27 AUG 2026
The £200 cash switching offer ran from 9 June to 27 August 2026 and has now closed. Check the Barclays switch page for any new windows.
Bank of Scotland ENDED 4 AUG 2026
The Bank of Scotland £175 switching offer closed on 4 August 2026. The deadline had already been extended once from the original 29 June 2026. Bank of Scotland runs periodic switching windows. Check the Bank of Scotland switch page for any new windows.
Santander ENDED 31 JUL 2026
The Santander £180 switching offer (with an optional £45 Amazon gift card) ran from 1 April to 31 July 2026 and has now closed. Santander runs periodic switching windows. Check the Santander switch page for any new windows.
Halifax ENDED JUN 2026
The Halifax £175 switching offer is no longer available. Halifax runs periodic switching windows throughout the year. Check the Halifax switch page for any new windows.
Virgin Money ENDED JUN 2026
The Virgin Money £150 switching offer is no longer available. Virgin Money is now part of Nationwide. Check the Virgin Money switch page for any new windows.
Lloyds Club Lloyds ENDED 30 APR 2026
The £250 bonus (and £500 Premier bonus) for Club Lloyds accounts ended on 30 April 2026. Check the Lloyds switch page for any new windows.
TSB Spend & Save ENDED 17 FEB 2026
The TSB offer of up to £200 closed on 17 February 2026. TSB runs recurring offer windows throughout the year. Check TSB's page for any new windows.
How to switch without risking your main account
The safest approach to bank switching is to use what many experienced switchers call a dummy account, which is a secondary current account such as Chase, Monzo, or Starling, as the “from” account in any CASS switch. Your main long-standing account stays open and untouched, protecting your credit history and ensuring you never lose access to your primary banking. For the full strategy, including which accounts work best as dummy accounts, how to set up Direct Debits on them, and how to handle the identity verification step without switching your main account, read the complete guide: How to Use a Dummy Bank Account for UK Switching Bonuses.
Watch: Related Video
How to Get £500 Just for Switching Banks in 2025! Watch on YouTube.
Credit score note: Switching itself does not hurt your credit score. However, opening multiple new accounts in a short period can result in hard searches, which may temporarily lower your score. Space out applications if you have a mortgage application or major credit decision coming up in the next three to six months.
Will switching bank accounts hurt my credit score?
Not usually. The CASS switch itself is not a credit application. However, opening a new account can involve a hard credit check, particularly if you apply for an overdraft at the same time. Avoid multiple applications in the same month if you have a major credit decision coming up.
Do I need to close my main bank account to switch?
No. You can use a secondary dummy account as the "from" account in any CASS switch, keeping your main account safe. See the dummy account guide for the full strategy.
How many times can I switch in a year?
There is no official limit on CASS switches. Each bank sets its own cooling-off period, typically 12 months before you can claim a bonus from the same bank again. You can switch to multiple different banks in the same year, provided you are eligible for each individual offer.
What counts as an active Direct Debit?
Most banks require Direct Debits to actually be collected (money taken), not just set up. Common qualifying options include mobile phone bills, utility bills, streaming subscriptions, or council tax. Santander specifically requires DDs from their approved household bills list, so always check the specific bank's terms before assuming any DD qualifies.
Watch: Related Video
How to Set Up PayPal Direct Debit (Step-by-Step, 2025 UK Bank Switching). Watch on YouTube.
How long does it take to receive the bonus?
Timelines vary by bank. NatWest pays within 30 days of meeting conditions. Barclays pays within 45 working days after confirmation. Santander takes around 90 days in total from the switch request date. First Direct pays by the 20th of the month following the month you meet all conditions. Always check the specific timeline in each bank's terms before applying.
Can I do multiple switches at the same time?
Yes, with careful planning. Use separate dummy accounts for each switch, stagger the pay-in dates so you are not moving the same £1,000 to three banks simultaneously, and track everything in a spreadsheet or the Debt Tracker. Do not apply for overdrafts on any switch account, as this triggers a hard credit search.
Summary
Bank switching is one of the easiest ways to earn free money in the UK with minimal ongoing effort. With live offers from NatWest, RBS, Santander, First Direct, Bank of Scotland, and Nationwide, plus a reported new Barclays £200 offer awaiting confirmation, there is between £175 and £200 available per bank for a 15-minute application and a short qualification checklist.
Act on Bank of Scotland first if you are eligible, as that window closes on 29 June 2026. First Direct’s £25 extra bonus (effective total £200) applies to accounts opened by 15 July 2026. Nationwide describes its offer as limited time, so act without delay if eligible. NatWest and RBS have no confirmed end date but can close without notice. Then work through the remaining ongoing offers at your own pace.
This page is updated weekly. Bookmark it and check back for new windows as they open.
