How to Switch Bank Accounts with CASS
The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) is a free way to move your everyday banking to a new account. Your new bank switches your payments, transfers your balance and your old bank closes the old account on a switch date you agree. You need to allow seven working days, and the date must be at least seven working days after your new account is opened. Over 50 banks and building societies take part, and the service is managed by Pay.UK.
How the service works
According to the Current Account Switch Service, the new bank does the work. You do not need to contact every company that pays you or that you pay by Direct Debit.
Typical steps are:
- Find the current account you want.
- Check you are eligible to switch with CASS.
- Open the new account (including identity checks).
- Choose your switch date with the new bank.
Opening the account is separate from switching. Once the new account exists, you arrange the switch through that bank’s CASS process.
More than 13 million people have switched using the service since it launched. Pay.UK oversees the service, so the same core rules apply whichever participating firm you choose. It is designed for full switches where you want one main current account going forward. Everyday banking topics such as deposit protection are covered separately in our guide to FSCS protection.
Choosing your switch date
You agree the switch date with your new bank. The date must be:
- At least seven working days after the new account is opened.
- Not a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday.
You can cancel the switch up to seven working days before the switch date, by contacting the new bank.
If you set up new payment instructions at the old bank in the seven working days before the switch, those particular arrangements will not be moved automatically. Set them up again on the new account after the switch.
Payments and redirection
On the switch date, your balance moves from the old account to the new one. Until then, money in the old account remains available as usual.
All incoming and outgoing payments covered by the service are redirected to the new account. Organisations that pay you, or that you pay, receive an automatic message with your new account details so they can update their records.
Stopped Direct Debits stay stopped — the service does not restart payments you have deliberately cancelled.
The Switch Guarantee
The Current Account Switch Guarantee covers problems caused by a failure in the switch itself. If charges or interest arise on the old or new account because the switch went wrong, those amounts should be refunded. Payment problems should be corrected, and your credit rating should not be affected by errors in the switching process.
The same Guarantee applies across participating banks that display the Trustmark.
For purchases paid by credit card, section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may give you rights against the card provider in certain cases.
Overdrafts and keeping the old account
An overdraft on your old account does not transfer automatically. If you need an overdraft on the new account, you must agree it separately with the new bank before you depend on borrowing.
If you want to keep the old account open, you cannot use the Current Account Switch Service for that move, and you are not covered by the Switch Guarantee.
After your balance moves, check that your savings still sit within FSCS limits.
If a Direct Debit is missing after the switch, contact your new bank.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bank switch take?
You agree a switch date with your new bank. Allow seven working days, and choose a date that is not a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday, at least seven working days after the new account is opened.
What happens to my Direct Debits and standing orders?
Incoming and outgoing payments are redirected to your new account. Payers receive an automatic message with your new details. Payment arrangements set up at the old bank in the seven working days before the switch are not moved automatically.
What is the Current Account Switch Guarantee?
If the switch fails and you lose money through charges or interest, or payments go wrong, those problems are corrected and your credit rating should not be affected. The Guarantee applies to participating banks with the Trustmark.
Can I keep my old account open?
Yes, but not through the service. If you keep your old account open you cannot use the Current Account Switch Service and you are not covered by the Guarantee.
Will my overdraft move to the new bank?
No. Any overdraft must be agreed separately with your new bank before you rely on borrowing after the switch.
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Disclaimer: This article is general information and not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own situation with HMRC, GOV.UK or a regulated adviser.