The best bank switching, cashback and interest offers (March 2020)

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Here are some quick links to help you jump through the deals.

Switching deals

You must switch and close your old account to get the headline bonuses listed below.

  • First Direct – £100 switching bonus and another £100 if you leave
  • HSBC – £175 bonus
  • Natwest – £175 bonus (ends 2nd 2020), up to £3 monthly reward after fee 
  • RBS – £175 bonus (ends 20th April 2020), up to £3 monthly reward after fee

Free cash deals

  • Monese – Up to 20 free cash (£5 when you open an account and an extra £15 if you spend £500 on your card

Referral bonuses

  • TSB – £50 via cashback site, 3% interest (1.5% from May)
  • Nationwide – £100 each if a friend refers you (requires full switch), 5% interest for one year, 

Other offers

You don’t have to switch to get these extras. You can just open a new account.

  • Santander – 1.5% interest and up to 3% cashback on bills after fee
  • Halifax – £2 a month “reward” (changing in June 2020)
  • Lloyds – up to 2% interest on savings, free magazine subscription or cinema tickets
  • Barclays – Earn £3 a month for a year (after fee) 
  • Tesco – 1% interest
  • Bank of Scotland – 1.5% interest on savings
  • Co-Op – Earn up to £5.50 a month extra
  • Marks and Spencer Bank – no offer
  • Monzo – no offer

** All efforts have gone into ensuring the accuracy of these deals, however changes do happen so make sure you read the terms and conditions of the account and any switching offer before applying**

Some articles on the blog contain affiliate links, which provide a small commission to help fund the blog. However, they won’t affect the price you pay or the blog’s independence. Read more here.

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One of the quickest ways to make some extra cash is to take advantage of the very competitive current account market and get a switching bonus, cashback or high interest on your savings.

If you’ve been with the same bank since your first job or University, you’re probably missing out. Since seven-day switching was introduced in 2013 the banks have been offering free cash, high interest and other extras to get you to move to them.

Just from switching, I made £1,900 in five years – and much more just from opening additional bank accounts. Sadly a raft of banks have cut their high-interest rates in current accounts, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be better off moving your bank account. Here are the best current deals.

I’ll update this page as new offers appear, and every month I’ll remove expired offers – though do check the offer hasn’t changed before you apply. And do remember that you’ll be credit checked when you make an application.

And you can read more about how to switch bank here, or watch the video below

 


*Monese account opening offer*

The free money from Monese seems to change regularly without notice so do check what the link says when you click through.

You get

  • £5 when you open an account via the link below and using the code ANDR4552
  • An extra £15 once you’ve spent £500 using your card

Requirements

  • Spend once with your Monese card for the £5 credit

> Open a Monese account

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*Halifax switching offer*

Halifax ended its switching bonus in late June 2019, though it could return. The Reward account will change massively in June 2020 – here’s my analysis.

You get

  • £2 a month reward
  • Occasional cashback deals
  • £50 0% overdraft

Requirements

  • You need to pay in £1,500 a month
  • You need two Direct Debits to get the £2 reward
  • You have to switch from and close your old account for the bonus

> Switch to Halifax Reward Account


*First Direct switching offer*

In 2018 First Direct replaced the cash switching bonus with a choice of freebies, but it brought back a £50 to £100 bonus in 2019. Occasionally it increases to £125

You get

  • £100 bonus when you switch
  • £100 if you leave after six months
  • £250 0% overdraft
  • Your friend can get £50 if they refer you, though you’d probably only get the standard £100 bonus

Requirements

  • You need to pay in £1,000 within three months of opening the account
  • You have to switch from and close your old account

> Switch to First Direct and get £50

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*HBSC Advance current account offer*

HSBC often runs a switching deal for £150/£175.

You get

  • £175 bonus (for Advance and Premier Accounts) / £75 for Bank Account
  • Access to 2.75% regular saver

Requirements

  • Two Direct Debits or standing orders need to be switched
  • Activate online banking
  • You must pay in £1,750 every month

> Switch to HSBC Current Account

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*Nationwide FlexDirect offer*

You get

  • 5% interest on balances up to £2,500 for the first year, 1% after
  • 0% arranged overdraft for the first year
  • Other accounts are available which offer free mobile and breakdown cover for £10 per month
  • If you have a friend with the account you can both get a £100 bonus (if you know me, just get in touch and I’ll share my code!)

Requirements

  • You need to pay in £1,000 a month to get the interest

> Open a Nationwide FlexDirect Current Account

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*TSB Classic current account offer*

There’s been a £100 or £125 switching bonus a few times each year but none for a while

You get

  • £50 for opening an account via Quidco 
  • 3% interest on balances up to £1,500 (only with Classic Plus account). Drops to 1.5% from May.

Requirements

  • You need to pay in £500 and make two transactions a month for the Quidco cashback
  • You need to register for internet banking and paperless statements

> Open a TSB account via Quidco

> Not used Quidco before? Get a £17 new member bonus

> Switch to TSB Classic Plus Current Account 

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*Lloyds Club current account offer*

In October 2019 Lloyds offered its first bonus (£125). This could return in 2020.

You get

  • 1% on balances up to £3,999, 2% between £4,000 and £5,000
  • 6 free cinema tickets, an annual Gourmet Society subscription or an annual magazine subscription

Requirements

  • You need to pay in £1,500 a month to avoid a £3 a month fee
  • You need two direct debits to get the interest

> Switch to Club Lloyds Current Account

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*Marks and Spencer Bank (M&S Bank) switching offer*

M&S stopped its bonus in January 2020.

You get

  • No bonus at present

Requirements

  • N/A

> Switch to M&S Bank


*Natwest Reward current account offer*

In both 2018 and 2019 Natwest offered various switching bonus on three occasions. The rewards changed on 1st February 2020.

You get

  • £175 switching bonus (open to new and existing customers). Ends 2nd April 2020.
  • Up to £5 a month (before fee)
  • Limited additional cashback offers (eg Argos)

Requirements

  • Pay in at least £1,500 by 10th May and log into online banking
  • You need to pay a £2 a month fee
  • Have two direct debits of £2 or more
  • Can’t have received a bonus from Natwest or RBS since October 2017

> Switch to Natwest Rewards Current Account

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*RBS Reward current account offer*

RBS has offered a £150 bonus a few times, so watch this space. The rewards changed on 1st February 2020.

You get

  • £175 switching bonus (open to new and existing customers). Ends 20th April 2020.
  • Up to £5 a month (before fee)
  • Limited additional cashback offers (eg Argos)

Requirements

  • Pay in at least £1,500 by 24th May and log into online banking
  • You need to pay a £2 a month fee
  • Have two direct debits of £2 or more
  • Can’t have received a bonus from Natwest or RBS since October 2017

> Switch to an RBS Rewards Current Account

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*Santander 123 current account offer*

From time to time there’s a £50 referral fee.

You get

  • 1% cashback on Council Tax and water bills, 2% cashback on gas and electricity bills, 3% cashback on mobile, TV, phone and broadband bills.
  • 1.5% interest on balances up to £20,000.
  • Limited additional cashback offers

Requirements

  • You need to pay a £5 a month fee
  • You must have 2 direct debits
  • You need to pay in £500 a month
  • Not all companies take part in the bills cashback

Is it any good? See my Should you ditch Santander 123? blogpost. There’s also a Santander 123 Lite which just offers the cashback but no interest for £1 a month.

> Switch to Santander 123 Current Account

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*Co-operative Bank current account offer*

You get

  • £4 a month credit
  • 5p cashback each time you use your debit card (Max £1.50 a month)

Requirements

  • Pay in £800 a month
  • Stay in credit or your overdraft
  • Use online or app banking once a month
  • Go paperless
  • Have four Direct Debits
  • Close old account

> Open a Co-operative Bank Current Account

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*Barclays Blue Rewards offer*

Barclays occasionally offers double Blue Rewards as a switching incentive so it’s best to wait for one of these to switch.

You get

  • £7 a month Blue Rewards after the fee
  • Extra if you have a mortgage or home insurance with Barclays
  • Limited cashback

Requirements

  • Pay in £800 a month
  • Pay out two Direct Debits
  • Pay a £4 a month fee 

Is it any good? See my Is the Barclays Blue Reward worth switching for? blog post

> Switch to Barclays Bank Current Account

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*Bank Of Scotland*

You get

  •  1.5% on balances up to 5%

Requirements

  • Pay in £1,000 a month
  • Pay out two Direct Debits and stay in credit

> Switch to Bank of Scotland

Back to top


*Yorkshire and Clydesdale “B Account” switching offer*

You get

  • No offer

Requirements

  • You need to pay in £1,000 a month for at least two months
  • You need to have two active Direct Debits
  • You have to switch from and close your old account

> Switch to a Yorkshire B Account


*Monzo account opening offer*

You get

  • Nothing

Requirements

> Open a Monzo account

Back to top

*Tesco Bank current account offer*

It’s possible to open two accounts and get 1% on each one. 

You get

  • 1% interest on balances up to £3,000
  • 1 Clubcard point per £8 spend (equivalent 0.125%)
  • You can open two

Requirements

  • Pay in £750 a month
  • Have three Direct Debits

> Switch to Tesco Bank Current Account

Back to top

47 thoughts on “The best bank switching, cashback and interest offers (March 2020)

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  13. With TSB you get £5 for using your debit card 20 times, doesn’t need to be contactless

  14. TSB = the shit bank

  15. Be great if you could separate the switch ones from the regular sign up offers.

    Are there any other tricks, I have a few of these already and don’t necessary want to lose the accounts, but happy to sign up for new accounts to get the bonuses.

    1. Thanks James, yes I can do something on this.

  16. I wonder if Halifax will increase their switching bonus to £125 in the next few months, just as they did earlier this year…

    1. It’s been a while since it’s offer was over £75 but I wouldn’t be surprised if it does increase at some point

  17. Barclays site is slightly confusing… states double rewards for one month if switch before 31st October… says “Get a £14 loyalty reward when you pay two Direct Debits” whilst at bottom in two places says “We’ll give you £3.50 cashback monthly for your first 2 Direct Debit payments” or “£7 every month”- so the £14 per month might only be for one month… Unless I’ve missed something, the reality is it might be it’s worth £55 total…

  18. Oh I see… it’s not clear, I took “Swtich on” to mean switching accounts… but one finds it on the Ts&Cs… strange way to advertise!
    https://www.barclays.co.uk/important-information/blue-rewards-terms-and-conditions/

    1. Yes you’re right – there are two offers! So if you’re already with Barclays you can get double rewards for the first month, and if you switch to Barclays you get double rewards for a year! They really should make it clearer

    2. Yes you’re right – there are two offers! So if you’re already with Barclays you can get double rewards for the first month, and if you switch to Barclays you get double rewards for a year! They really should make it clearer

  19. M&S switching offer to get the £125, it says on their website need to have four active direct debits, not two as stated under requirments in the post

    1. Thanks Jan, they must have changed it. Will double check and update the post

  20. Why does First Direct pay you extra £100 if you leave within twelve months but after 6 months? Do they want you to leave after 6 months???

    1. I think they hope it’ll attract people to switch but then not move on again. It does win lots of awards for customer service.

  21. In the Summary box at top of this article under Other Offers it indicates that Bank of Scotland offer free magazines or cinema tickets in addition to the 1.5% interest. I think that needs correcting as I believe it is only Lloyds Club account offers those extra incentives.

  22. Lloyd’s Club current account give you limited Cashback also access to a club Lloyd’s Monthly saver currently at 2.5%

  23. HSBC have refused to pay out becuase I previously had an account with them in the last 3 years so beware!

  24. Hi – I don’t think Halifax is having current account switch offer.

  25. Hi I joined nationwide last year and I referred my uncle so we could get the £100 bonus,but recently received an email saying that we where not entitled to it, so just be careful with these things.

    1. Yes, always check the terms and conditions before signing up to any offer. What happed to you Tracy? Had your uncle already had the account?

    2. Hi,

      Switching via a refer a friend to Nationwide Current Account for the £100 offer but also wanting to open the FlexDirect. Just to clarify, if someone already has the savings FlexDirect, and you get a referral, are you entitled to another £100 bonus on top of opening the regular account?

      1. Hi Jo, you can only get a referral credit of £100 if you aren’t a Nationwide customer. If you already have a current account with them then you won’t get the bonus.

  26. HSBC NEVER RESPONDED TO MY APPLICATION TO SAY IF I COULD HAVE IT OR NOT .

  27. Hi, I don’t think the monese offer is correct. You dont get £15 for simply creating an account. You have to refer a friend who thensets up an account and deposits something into it.

    1. You should get £15 for opening the account and making a transaction via the link in the article. You can also get a further £15 for referring friends who do the same.

  28. It seems you can also get the £150 bonus at NatWest by switching to their fee free current account. Just wandering if the other banks offering switch incentives have a similar range of options?

  29. Hi,

    Im going to open my firt account and I feel a bit lost. I would be interested on Nationalwide which offer:
    5% interest on balances up to £2,500 for the first year, 1% after.

    Does it means if the interest gross is 4.89% per month , Could I get profits up to £122.25 per month with a balance of £2,500? is that correct?

    Thanks,

    1. Hi, no it’s annual. So you’ll get 5% on £2500 if there’s £2500 there the whole year

  30. Does switching adversely affect one’s credit score?

    1. There will be a credit check when you apply to open most current accounts, so it’s worth a) checking your credit report for any errors before applying, and b) avoiding any credit applications – if you can – if you’re planning on getting a mortgage in the next six months. Also, one thing that credit reports do like is a long relationship with a bank, so potentially moving away from someone you’ve been with for a long time could see your score dip. But you should be ok to go through with a switch absolutley fine.

  31. as per today Tesco has stopped accepting new applications for the bank accounts – temporarily?

  32. One of your stated Requirements for Natwest is:

    Can’t have received a bonus from RBS

    However I can’t see this reference anywhere in the T&C’s of the new switch offer. So presume this condition no longer apply?

    1. Hi Nelo, I’ve downloaded the new T&Cs and the RBS line is still in there

  33. Can I switch from Natwest to RBS and still receive the switch reward?

    1. Yes, as long as you’ve not had a bonus from RBS or Natwest since late 2017

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