Guides How a switch works
How a switch works
A full switch with the Current Account Switch Service moves your balance, Direct Debits and standing orders to the new account and closes the old one, on a date you agree with the new bank.
- Day −7Last day to change the date or cancel
- Day −6The switch starts: payments on the old account freeze
- Day 0Balance moves, old account closes
- 3 yearsPayments to the old account are redirected
The switch date
You agree it with the new bank. It’s at least 7 working days away, on a working day that isn’t a bank holiday for either bank.
Six working days before
The switch starts 6 working days before the switch date. A Direct Debit, standing order or new payee you add to the old account from then on only moves if you tell the new bank.
Changing your mind
You can change the switch date, or cancel, until the end of the 7th working day before it. Not after.
On the switch date
The balance moves, the old account closes, and anything tied to it ends: travel insurance or a preferential rate, for example.
If the old account is overdrawn
A negative balance isn’t moved. You repay it, or have money in the new account to pay it off. An overdraft on the new account is the new bank’s lending decision.
Payments that still go to the old account
They’re redirected to the new one for 3 years, and longer while redirections keep happening.
If something goes wrong
The Current Account Switch Guarantee: the new bank refunds any interest (paid or lost) and charges on either account caused by a problem with the switch, once you tell it.
Joint accounts
Both holders must agree. A sole account can switch to a joint one, but a joint account can’t switch to a sole one. Banks treat joint accounts differently: Barclays’ offers exclude them; Santander and first direct pay one reward between you, not one each; NatWest, Lloyds, Santander and Nationwide look at both your histories. Pocketly plans a joint switch only where the terms allow it, and checks both of you.
From the Current Account Switch guides that Halifax, TSB, the Co-operative Bank and Virgin Money give their customers (read 28 October 2026). Each bank’s own guide is final.