Switching bank accounts used to mean weeks of admin — manually transferring direct debits, notifying every organisation, and hoping nothing fell through the gaps. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) changed all of that when it launched in 2013. Today, a full switch between participating banks takes 7 working days, costs nothing, and comes with a formal guarantee that covers you if anything goes wrong.
This guide explains exactly how CASS works, what transfers automatically, what you still need to do yourself, and how to get the most from the process — including any switching bonus on offer. It is part of the Bank Account Switching hub, which covers current account comparisons, switching bonuses, and how to open and close accounts.
How CASS works: the full process
The key thing to understand about CASS is that the new bank does the work — you do not need to contact your old bank at all.
| Step | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open your new account | You (online, in-app, or in branch) |
| 2 | Request a switch | You (through the new bank — they handle everything from here) |
| 3 | Choose a switch date | You (at least 7 working days ahead) |
| 4 | Everything transfers | CASS moves balance, direct debits, standing orders |
| 5 | Old account closes | Automatically on the switch date |
| 6 | Payments redirected | Any payments to your old account go to the new one for 3 years |
You simply open the new account, tell your new bank you want to switch, and pick a date. From that point, CASS and the two banks handle the rest.
What transfers automatically — and what does not
CASS moves the core of your account automatically, but a few things require manual action on your part.
| Transfers automatically | Detail |
|---|---|
| Account balance | Full balance moved to new account on switch date |
| Direct debits | All moved and set up on the new account |
| Standing orders | All moved and set up on the new account |
| Incoming salary and other credits | Payers are notified and redirected automatically |
| Payment redirect | Any payments to old account forwarded for 3 years |
| Does NOT transfer automatically | What to do |
|---|---|
| Linked savings accounts | Set up new ones manually |
| Overdraft | Apply with the new bank separately if you need one |
| Card payments for subscriptions | Update Netflix, Amazon, Spotify etc. manually with new card details |
| Cash ISA | Transfer separately using an ISA transfer form |
| International payment senders | Update IBAN/BIC for anyone sending from abroad |
The direct debits question is one of the most common worries people have before switching. Your new bank contacts every direct debit organisation on your behalf — you do not need to do it. For a detailed breakdown of how this works and what happens if a payment is sent to your closed account, see What Happens to Direct Debits When You Switch Banks?
The switch guarantee
The CASS guarantee is a formal commitment from all participating banks — not a promise in small print, but a binding obligation overseen by Pay.UK.
| Protection | Detail |
|---|---|
| 7-working-day completion | The switch must complete within 7 working days or the bank is in breach |
| Refund of losses | If you incur interest or charges due to a switching error, you receive a full refund |
| 3-year payment redirect | Payments to your old account are forwarded automatically for 36 months |
| No-fault responsibility | If an error occurs, it is the bank’s problem to fix — not yours |
Over 10 million switches have been completed under CASS since 2013, with a completion rate above 99%. The guarantee makes switching as low-risk as it gets — the only real admin remaining is updating your card details for subscriptions, which CASS cannot handle because those are card payments rather than direct debits.
The 7-day timeline
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You open new account and request the switch |
| Days 2–6 | New bank contacts old bank; payments arranged for transfer |
| Day 7 | Switch completes — balance moves, old account closes |
| Day 7 onwards | Direct debits and standing orders run from new account |
| Up to 3 years | Payments to old account continue to redirect |
The switch date must be at least 7 working days from when you request it. If you want to maximise the chance your next salary arrives in the right account, choose a switch date a few days after your pay date.
Why switch? The main reasons
Better value from your account
Some current accounts pay interest on positive balances, offer cashback on bills, or include bundled insurance products. Others have more competitive overdraft rates. The right account depends on how you use it — but if you have never compared, you are likely leaving value on the table.
| Reason to switch | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Switching bonus | £100–£200+ cash paid within 30 days of meeting conditions |
| Interest on balance | Accounts paying 1–5% AER on credit balances |
| Cashback on bills | Accounts crediting a percentage of direct debit payments |
| Overdraft cost | Annual rate varies from 15% to 40% EAR — worth comparing |
| App quality | Budget tracking, savings pots, spending notifications |
| Packaged benefits | Travel insurance, phone insurance, breakdown cover |
Switching bonuses
Switching bonuses are currently the clearest single reason to switch if you are content with your banking otherwise. Typical conditions:
| Requirement | Typical |
|---|---|
| Minimum monthly deposit | £1,000–£1,500/month |
| Minimum number of direct debits | 2–3 |
| Must use CASS | Yes — partial switches usually do not qualify |
| New customers only | Yes — existing customers usually excluded |
| Bonus paid | Within 30 days of meeting conditions |
For the current best offers and which banks are paying, see Best Bank Account Switching Bonuses UK 2026.
Full switch vs partial switch
You do not have to close your old account. A partial switch lets you move some payments without shutting the old account down — but it comes with fewer protections.
| Feature | Full switch | Partial switch |
|---|---|---|
| Old account | Closed | Stays open |
| Balance transferred | Yes | Optional |
| Direct debits and standing orders | All move | You choose which |
| 3-year payment redirect | Yes | No redirect |
| CASS guarantee | Full | Limited |
| Qualifies for switching bonus | Usually yes | Usually no |
Most people doing a full switch for a bonus should use the full switch route. If you want to test a new bank while keeping an existing account open, a partial switch is available — but you will not get the redirect protection or any bonus.
Step-by-step guide
Before you switch
| Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Check the new bank’s overdraft terms | Your existing overdraft closes — confirm the new bank will offer one before switching |
| Note recurring card payments | Subscriptions need manual updating after the switch |
| Check switching bonus conditions | Confirm you qualify before starting |
| Review if your account has exit conditions | Rare, but some packaged accounts have closure terms |
If you do not yet have an account to switch to, How to Open a Bank Account walks through the process for all account types including accounts with no credit check.
During the switch
| Step | How |
|---|---|
| Open new account | Online or in-app — most take under 10 minutes |
| Request a switch through the new bank | They will ask for your old account sort code and number |
| Choose your switch date | At least 7 working days away |
| Wait — the banks handle the rest | You will receive confirmation messages from both banks |
After the switch
| Action | When to do it |
|---|---|
| Check direct debits transferred | Within the first statement cycle |
| Update card details for subscriptions | Within 2 weeks — check Netflix, Amazon, Spotify and others |
| Confirm salary arrives correctly | On next payday |
| Update HMRC if relevant | For Child Benefit, tax refunds, or self-assessment refunds |
| Monitor the redirect for a couple of months | Catches anything you may have missed |
Which banks participate?
Almost all major UK banks and building societies are part of CASS.
| Bank | Participates |
|---|---|
| Barclays | Yes |
| HSBC | Yes |
| Lloyds | Yes |
| NatWest | Yes |
| Santander | Yes |
| Nationwide | Yes |
| Halifax | Yes |
| Monzo | Yes |
| Starling | Yes |
| Chase | Yes |
| First Direct | Yes |
| TSB | Yes |
| Co-operative Bank | Yes |
| Virgin Money | Yes |
The full and current list is at currentaccountswitch.co.uk.
Common concerns
| Concern | Reality |
|---|---|
| “My salary won’t arrive” | Payments redirect for 3 years — your salary will reach your new account |
| “Direct debits will fail” | They transfer automatically under the CASS guarantee |
| “It is too complicated” | The new bank does everything — you just choose a date |
| “My credit score will be affected” | Switching does not affect your credit score |
| “I will lose my overdraft” | Your existing overdraft closes — arrange the new one first if you need it |
| “I will have to contact loads of companies” | Only for card-based subscriptions — direct debits move automatically |