The Current Account Switch Service is a free, independent service that makes switching your bank account simple and secure. More than 12 million people have used it, with 99.8% of switches completing on time*.
Your new bank transfers your Direct Debits, standing orders and incoming payments – including your salary – automatically. If anything goes wrong, your new bank refunds any interest (paid or lost) and charges on either your old or new account.
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If you've been meaning to switch banks but haven't got around to it, using the Current Account Switch Service is designed to be a straightforward and stress-free way to do it.
Not sure if it’s time to switch? Have a read of our guide, Is it worth switching current accounts? The pros and cons explained.
Zopa is not currently part of the Current Account Switch Service, but will be later in 2026. If you want to switch to Zopa’s current account, Biscuit, in the meantime, all the details are here: how to switch to Biscuit by Zopa.
What is the Current Account Switch Service?
The Current Account Switch Service was designed to remove the friction from switching banks. Before it existed, moving to a new account meant contacting every Direct Debit company individually, updating your employer, and hoping nothing slipped through the cracks. Most people simply didn't bother.
You can switch using it as long as both your new and old bank are part of the service. You open a new account, tell your new bank you want to switch using the service, and they handle the rest – moving your balance, redirecting payments and payees, and closing your old account. The whole process takes 7 working days, and every step is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee
Read more about the Current Account Switch Service in this guide.
To use it, you need to find a current account you want to switch to and apply for it directly with the bank. Find out more about how to compare current accounts.
When was the Current Account Switch Service introduced and why?
It launched in September 2013, following a recommendation from the Independent Commission on Banking. The aim was to make it easier to switch banks, and encourage banks to focus more on features, service and value. Ultimately, creating more competition – and better deals for customers.
Who runs the Current Account Switch Service?
It’s operated by Pay.UK, a not-for-profit payments organisation, and overseen by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).
The Current Account Switch Service at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
| Cost | Free |
| Time to switch | 7 working days |
| What moves across | Balance, Direct Debits, Standing Orders, salary, incoming payments, payees |
| Success rate | 99.8% of switches complete on time* |
| What if it goes wrong? | Your new bank refunds any interest (paid or lost) and charges on your old or new account |
| Participating banks | 50+ banks and building societies (covering ~99% of UK accounts) |
| Who can use it? | UK residents ages 18+, sole traders and small businesses |
How does the Current Account Switch Guarantee work?
The Current Account Switch Guarantee is the promise that underpins every switch. It means your new bank commits to completing the switch on a date you choose, transferring everything correctly, and fixing any errors at no cost to you.
Your new bank is your single point of contact throughout – if you have any questions at any stage, just ask them.
What does the guarantee cover?
Your balance transferred to your new account on the switch date
All payments going out (Direct Debits, standing orders) and coming in (salary, pension) moved to your new account
Payments accidentally made to your old account automatically redirected to your new account; the sender is also contacted with your new details
Any issues before your switch date flagged to you in advance by your new bank
Any interest (paid or lost) and charges on your old or new account caused by a switching failure, refunded in full as soon as your new bank is told
What happens if something goes wrong?
Mistakes are rare – 99.8% of switches complete successfully* within the guaranteed timeframe. But if something does go wrong, your new bank is responsible for putting it right.
How to use the Current Account Switch Service to switch bank accounts
Switching is designed to be hands-off. Here's how it works.
Step 1 – open a new account with a participating bank
Find a new current account and apply in the usual way. The bank will carry out their standard checks. Once your account is open, you're ready to start the switch.
Step 2 – complete the switch agreement
Tell your new bank you want to switch using the Current Account Switch Service. You'll give your new bank permission to contact your old bank and manage the process on your behalf. You'll just need your old account number and sort code to hand.
Step 3 – choose your switching date
Pick a date at least 7 working days from the day you request the switch. You can choose a date that works for you – it's worth timing it around a payday so you start with a clean slate.
Step 4 – wait for the 7-day process to complete
Leading up to your chosen switch date, everything happens automatically over 7 working days. Your new bank manages it all – there's nothing more you need to do. You'll receive confirmation once the switch is complete.
What does the Current Account Switch Service transfer automatically?
The switch covers more than a lot of people expect. Here's what gets moved across.
Direct Debits and standing orders
Every Direct Debit and standing order on your old account – think gym memberships, insurance policies and utility bills – gets moved to your new account automatically. You don't need to notify any of these companies yourself.
Incoming salary and regular payments
Any regular payments coming into your old account (salary, pension, benefits, or any other recurring income) are redirected to your new account. Your employer or payer doesn't need to update anything – your new bank handles the redirection.
Existing account balance
Your remaining balance is transferred to your new account on the switch date. If you're in your overdraft when you switch, it can still move through the Current Account Switch Service if your new bank agrees. Speak to your new bank before starting the switch to confirm.
Payees
Your list of payees – the people and businesses you pay by bank transfer – is also moved across to your new account. So if you need to send money to friends or family, those payment details will already be set up and ready to use from day one.
What doesn't transfer
Third Party Provider permissions
If you've given any Third Party Providers (TPPs) – like budgeting apps or Open Banking services – permission to access your account or make payments on your behalf, these permissions won't transfer automatically as part of the switch. You'll need to set them up again with your new account once it's open.
Recurring card payments
These are payments where you've saved your card details directly with a provider, like a streaming platform or app store. Unlike Direct Debits, they're linked to your card number rather than your bank account, so they don't transfer automatically as part of the switch.
After your new account is open, you'll need to update your card details with each of these providers individually. It's worth doing a quick scroll through your recent statements before you switch to spot any you might have forgotten about.
Who can use the Current Account Switch Service?
Eligibility requirements
The Current Account Switch Service is available to individuals, sole traders and small businesses based in the UK. You'll need to be 18 or over and have an eligible current account with a participating bank. Both your old and new bank need to be members for the full guarantee to apply.
Can you use the Current Account Switch Service with a joint account?
Yes, but all account holders will need to agree to the switch and sign the Current Account Switch Agreement. Both parties are involved in the process, but the switch itself works exactly the same way.
What if your bank is not part of the Current Account Switch Service?
Over 50 banks and building societies participate in the Current Account Switch Service, covering around 99% of UK current accounts. If either your old or new bank aren’t part of it, you'll need to switch manually – contacting each Direct Debit originator yourself and asking your employer to update their payroll records.
It sounds like more work than it is. “I thought switching would mean contacting and reapplying to every institution I had a Direct Debit with myself,” says Luke Bullen, who switched to Biscuit before it joined the Current Account Switch Service. “It turned out to be very straightforward.”
How long does a switch take?
Switch using the Current Account Switch Service takes 7 working days, or you can choose a date in the future that suits you. The 7-day window exists to give your old bank, your new bank, and every company you pay time to update their records correctly.
Does using the Current Account Switch Service affect your credit score?
No, it doesn't directly affect your credit score. The switch itself isn't recorded on your credit file – it's not a credit application.
When you apply for a new current account, the bank might run a hard credit check as part of their standard application process. This search appears on your credit report and can have a minor, temporary impact. Some banks, including Zopa, only carry out a soft search, which won't impact your credit score.
You can read more about whether opening a current account affects your credit score in this guide.
Current Account Switch Service in numbers: switching statistics
Since launching in 2013, the Current Account Switch Service has handled over 12 million switches. In 2025 alone, 1.1 million people switched current accounts.
Customer satisfaction is high too: 90% of switchers reported are satisfied* with the process. And with on-time completion rate for switches at 99.8%*, it’s easy to see why the service has changed the game when it comes to switching bank accounts.
Thinking about switching?
If you're ready for a current account that gives something back, Biscuit by Zopa is worth a look. It's a current account with no monthly fee that lets you earn interest on your bank balance as standard. Everyday value is baked in, then you can choose the extra benefit that suits you: a higher interest rate, cashback on your Direct Debits, or cashback on eating out. While Biscuit isn't part of the Current Account Switch Service yet, you can still switch – find out more about how to switch to Biscuit by Zopa and get started.
Open a Biscuit current account in minutes
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*Stats reflect Q1 2026, and are taken from Pay.UK's performance dashboard.
Author
Emma Mitra
