| Bank | Bonus | Key requirement | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest | £200 | £1,250 pay-in + app login | Ongoing | LIVE |
| RBS | £200 | £1,250 pay-in + app login | Ongoing | LIVE |
| HSBC | Up to £200 | Full CASS switch + pay-in + DDs | Ongoing | LIVE |
| Santander | £180 | £1,500 pay-in + 2 household DDs | Ongoing | LIVE |
| First Direct | £175 + £25 bonus | £1,000 pay-in within 30 days + 2 DDs/SOs. Extra £25 for accounts opened 18 May - 15 Jul 2026 | 15 Jul 2026 (extra bonus) | LIVE |
| Nationwide | £175 | £1,000 pay-in + 1 debit card payment within 31 days. Full CASS switch with 2+ DDs | Ongoing | LIVE |
⚠️ Deadline alert: Bank of Scotland closes on 29 June 2026. First Direct's £25 extra bonus applies to accounts opened by 15 July 2026. Act without delay if you are eligible for either offer.
💡 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.
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: 30 May 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
HSBC: up to £200 cash bonus
HSBC
Up to £200 cash bonus
| Bonus | Up to £200 depending on account tier and meeting specified activity conditions |
| How to qualify | Complete a full CASS switch from a non-HSBC account. Meet the pay-in, Direct Debit, and app login steps stated in the live terms. Keep the account open until payment is made. |
| Exclusions | Existing HSBC and First Direct current account holders are typically excluded. Confirm on the official page before applying. |
| Deadline | Ongoing. No confirmed end date. Can be withdrawn at any time. |
| Official link | View HSBC switching offer → |
Santander: £180 cash bonus
Santander
£180 cash bonus
| Bonus | £180 for switching to an eligible Santander account via CASS. The previous £200 offer applied to switches requested before 31 March 2026. |
| How to qualify | Open an eligible account (Everyday, Edge, Edge Up, or Edge Explorer). Complete a full CASS switch within 60 days of your initial switch request. The old account must close as part of the switch. Pay in at least £1,500 within 60 days (one or more payments). Have at least 2 active household Direct Debits on the account within 60 days. |
| DD requirement: important | Santander specifies that the 2 Direct Debits must be from their approved household bills list: council tax, mobile phone, home phone, broadband, paid-for TV packages, and water, gas, or electricity. Generic small DDs may not qualify. |
| When you get paid | Santander checks your account at 60 days after your switch request. If eligible, payment arrives within 30 days of that check, around 90 days total from your switch request date. Note: the 60-day countdown starts from when you submit your switch request, not from when the account opens. |
| Eligibility cut-off | Santander applies a customer eligibility cut-off date. Current cut-off: 1 January 2025 [last checked: 30 May 2026] Customers who held a Santander current account on this date are not eligible. |
| Other exclusions | Must not have previously received a Santander switching incentive. One payment per account. Joint accounts receive one £180 payment, not one each. |
| Official link | View Santander switching page → |
Timing note: The 60-day qualification window starts from the date you submit your switch request, not from when your account opens. If there are any delays in account opening, this can catch people out. Factor this in before applying.
First Direct: £175 cash bonus (+ £25 extra until 15 July 2026)
First Direct
£175 + £25 bonus = £200 total
| 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 30 days of account opening. Make 5 debit card payments. Register and log in to mobile or online banking. |
| 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: 5 June 2026] Customers who have held a First Direct account or opened an HSBC current account on or after this date are not eligible. |
| Extra £25 bonus | An additional £25 is available for accounts opened between 18 May and 15 July 2026. If you open your account within this window and meet all the standard conditions, you receive £200 in total. The £25 is paid at the same time as the standard £175. |
| 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. |
| 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. 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.
Bank of Scotland: £175 cash bonus
Bank of Scotland
£175 cash bonus
| Bonus | £175 for switching to an eligible Bank of Scotland current account via full CASS switch |
| How to qualify | Complete a full CASS switch from an account held at another bank. Switching from a Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland account does not qualify. Switch 3 active Direct Debits to the new account. Eligible accounts: Classic, Silver, and Platinum current accounts. Apply online, in branch, or by phone. |
| Exclusions | Cannot switch from a Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland account. Bank of Scotland is part of the Lloyds Banking Group. If you received a switching bonus from Lloyds or Halifax since 1 January 2023, you may not be eligible. Confirm on the official page. Must be switching from another bank entirely. |
| Deadline | Apply by 29 June 2026. |
| Official link | View Bank of Scotland offer → |
Note: Bank of Scotland requires 3 active Direct Debits rather than the more common 2. Make sure all 3 are set up and actively collecting before you initiate the switch. The deadline of 29 June 2026 is confirmed. Apply this month if you are eligible.
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 whereby eligible members with a qualifying current account and mortgage or savings received £100 in 2026. This is separate from the switching bonus.
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.
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.
Co-operative Bank ENDED JUN 2026
The Co-op Bank switching offer has ended. Check the Co-op Bank switch page for any new windows.
Barclays ENDED 28 MAY 2026
The Barclays £200 switching offer closed on 28 May 2026. If you applied before that date and met all conditions, your £200 will still be paid within 45 working days. Check the Barclays 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.
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.
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, HSBC, Santander, First Direct, and Bank of Scotland, there is between £175 and £200 available per bank for a 15-minute application and a short qualification checklist.
Act on Barclays, NatWest, and RBS first if you are eligible, as those windows close on 28 May 2026. Then work through the ongoing offers at your own pace.
This page is updated weekly. Bookmark it and check back for new windows as they open.
