Banking Guide: Current Account Switch Service (CASS) — How to Switch Banks in 7 Days, Hassle-Free

The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) is a free, industry-wide initiative launched in September 2013 and managed by Pay.UK. It is backed by over 40 banks and building societies across the UK, covering the vast majority of personal current account providers.

At its heart is a legally binding guarantee: your switch will complete within seven working days from the agreed switch date, or your new bank must refund any interest or charges you incur as a result of the delay. This guarantee is not marketing language — it is a firm commitment enforced under the CASS Scheme Rules and overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The seven-day clock starts the moment you and your new bank agree a switch date. In practice, most switches are initiated when you open a new account and request a switch as part of the application, though you can also trigger a switch independently for an existing account.

The CASS guarantee covers:

• Payment redirection: Any payments mistakenly sent to your old account are automatically forwarded to your new account for 36 months (three years) at no cost.
• Financial loss protection: If something goes wrong due to a CASS error, your new bank must refund any charges, interest, or costs you suffer.
• Zero admin: You do not need to contact your employer, HMRC, utility providers, or subscription services. CASS handles the redirection and your new bank notifies relevant parties.

Source: currentaccountswitch.co.uk

The switching process is deliberately simple. Here is the typical journey from start to finish:

Step 1: Choose your new bank or building society Compare accounts on features such as overdraft rates, in-credit interest, cashback on spending, app quality, and any switching bonuses on offer. Ensure the provider is a CASS participant — almost all major UK banks and building societies are.

Step 2: Open a new current account Apply online, in branch, or via the bank's app. You will usually need proof of identity (passport or driving licence), proof of address, and your National Insurance number. The bank will run a credit check at this stage.

Step 3: Request the CASS switch Once your new account is open, inform your new bank you want to use CASS to switch from your old account. You will provide your old account number and sort code. Some banks let you initiate this during the original application.

Step 4: Agree a switch date You choose when the switch completes — you need to give at least seven working days' notice. Most people choose a date shortly after their next salary payment, to ensure a smooth transition.

Step 5: Sit back CASSS does the rest. It contacts your old bank, transfers all direct debits and standing orders, moves your remaining balance, closes your old account, and sets up the 36-month payment redirection. You will receive confirmation when the switch is complete.

For authoritative step-by-step guidance, see MoneyHelper — the government-backed money guidance service.

If you are also reviewing your broader financial position, the savings hub on GiltEdge covers the best savings rates available alongside current account comparisons.

Understanding exactly what CASS moves for you (and what it does not) prevents nasty surprises.

What transfers automatically:

• Direct debits: All regular payments you have authorised — utilities, broadband, insurance, streaming services, gym memberships, and so on.
• Standing orders: Regular outgoing transfers you have set up, including rent payments or transfers to savings accounts.
• Salary and other incoming payments: CASS notifies your employer's payroll on your behalf where possible, and the 36-month redirection catches any payments sent to your old account in the interim.
• Your remaining balance: Whatever is left in your old account on the switch date is transferred to your new account automatically.
• Overdraft facility (sometimes): Some banks will match your existing authorised overdraft limit, though this is not guaranteed and depends on the new provider's credit assessment.

What does NOT transfer automatically:

• Savings accounts and cash ISAs: These are separate products and must be transferred or closed independently. Read the NS&I products guide for details on how to transfer government-backed savings accounts.
• Linked investment accounts or stocks and shares ISAs: These remain with your existing provider.
• Debit card details stored with merchants: Netflix, Amazon, and other merchants storing your card number will not be auto-updated. You must log in and update these manually after the switch.
• Cheques: Any outstanding cheques written against your old account may not clear. Write new cheques from your new account and notify recipients.
• Loan or mortgage accounts: These are separate credit agreements and stay with the original lender.
• PayPal and payment wallets: Linked bank details in third-party apps need manual updating.

Source: currentaccountswitch.co.uk — What Gets Switched

One of the most compelling reasons to switch right now is the cash on offer. UK banks compete aggressively for new current account customers, and switching bonuses are a direct cost to them — meaning the incentives are real, not gimmicks.

Typical switching bonuses in 2026 range from £100 to £200 in cash, credited to your new account within 30 days of completing a qualifying switch. Qualifying criteria usually include:

• Completing the switch using CASS (partial switches often do not qualify)
• Depositing a minimum monthly amount (commonly £500–£1,500)
• Setting up a minimum number of active direct debits (typically two or three)
• Maintaining the account for a specified period (often three months)

Beyond one-off bonuses, some accounts offer ongoing rewards:

• Cashback on household bills: A percentage returned on direct debit payments for utilities, broadband, and council tax.
• In-credit interest: Some current accounts pay interest on balances up to a set limit, though with the Bank of England base rate currently at 3.75%, dedicated savings accounts typically offer better rates. Compare carefully.
• Exclusive savings rates: New current account customers may access preferential rates on linked savings products.

Important: switching bonuses are generally treated as interest/bank income and may need to be declared if you complete a self-assessment tax return, though for most basic-rate taxpayers the Personal Savings Allowance (£1,000) means no tax is due. Check HMRC guidance if in doubt.

Can you switch multiple times? Yes. There is no rule against switching repeatedly to collect bonuses, provided you meet each bank's qualifying criteria. Some providers impose cooling-off periods (typically 12 months) before a former customer can claim a bonus again. Serial switchers in the UK have legally earned several hundred pounds per year through this strategy — though it requires discipline in meeting the qualifying conditions each time.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about CASS, and the answer is nuanced.

The act of switching itself does not directly damage your credit score. Closing an old current account and opening a new one is not the same as closing a credit card or missing a payment.

However, there are credit score implications to be aware of:

Hard credit searches: When you apply for a new current account — especially one with an overdraft facility — the new bank will typically run a hard credit check. This leaves a visible mark on your credit file for 12 months and can temporarily reduce your score by a small amount. If you are applying to multiple banks in quick succession, these hard searches can stack up and have a more noticeable effect.

Account age: Credit scoring models such as those used by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion consider the age of your accounts. Closing a long-standing current account removes that history from your active accounts, which may slightly reduce your average account age. The effect is usually minor and recovers over time.

Overdraft utilisation: If you regularly use your overdraft, your credit file reflects this. Switching may temporarily alter how overdraft usage appears.

Best practice: If you are planning a major credit application — mortgage, car finance, or a large personal loan — within the next three to six months, consider waiting until after that application before switching current accounts. For everything else, the credit impact of a single CASS switch is typically minimal and short-lived.

For a comprehensive understanding of how UK credit files work, see the credit score guide on GiltEdge.

Source: FCA — Consumer credit and banking

CASS supports two modes of switching:

Full Switch Your old account is closed and everything is moved to the new account. All direct debits, standing orders, and your balance transfer. The 36-month payment redirection is activated. This is the standard CASS switch and the option that qualifies for most switching bonuses.

Partial Switch You keep your old account open and only transfer selected direct debits and standing orders. Your old account remains active with its existing balance. No account closure, no 36-month redirection.

When to choose a full switch:

• You want the CASS guarantee and the 36-month redirection safety net.
• You are claiming a switching bonus (most require a full switch).
• You want to simplify your finances and consolidate to one main account.
• You are switching from a bank you no longer want a relationship with.

When to consider a partial switch:

• You have a long-standing account with features you want to retain (e.g., a legacy bank account with a favourable arranged overdraft rate).
• You want to trial a new bank before fully committing.
• You have complex payment arrangements you want to manage manually.
• You are self-employed with business and personal payments coming into the same account (though ideally these should be separate).

Note: partial switches are less common and not all banks support them through CASS. Check with your chosen new provider before proceeding.

If you are building an emergency fund alongside switching, see the emergency fund guide for advice on how to structure your cash holdings across accounts.

A question many switchers ask is whether their money is safe during and after the switch. The answer is yes, subject to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) limits.

FSCS protection covers deposits held with UK-authorised banks and building societies. As of 1 December 2025, the protection limit increased to £120,000 per person per institution. If you hold accounts with multiple banks under the same banking group (for example, Halifax and Bank of Scotland are both part of Lloyds Banking Group), they share a single £120,000 limit.

During the switch process itself:

• Your old account remains fully open and functional until the switch date.
• Your balance is protected under FSCS throughout.
• The transfer of your balance on the switch date is a same-day electronic transfer — exposure is minimal.

What if a bank fails mid-switch? In practice, the CASS scheme is operated by Pay.UK and is designed to be resilient. If a participating bank enters administration during a switch, the scheme has contingency provisions to complete or reverse the switch. FSCS compensation is payable within seven days for the vast majority of eligible deposits.

For deposits above £120,000, or for those holding significant savings, spreading money across multiple FSCS-protected institutions (each with its own £120,000 limit) is a standard strategy.

Source: gov.uk — FSCS deposit protection

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute regulated financial advice. GiltEdge is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a financial adviser. If you need personalised advice about your banking arrangements, please consult an FCA-authorised adviser or contact MoneyHelper for free, impartial guidance.