Finance experts have revealed two “easy” bank switches that could earn you a total of £350 free cash. Not only do these deals offer money for moving over but can provide a number of other tempting benefits such as 0% interest overdrafts.
Consumer site Money Saving Expert (MSE), founded by Martin Lewis, explained the deals in an update. More specifically, each switch could pay out £175.
MSE said: “Switching to a new current account is quick, easy and can earn you up to £175 in free cash.
“Yet you can get plenty of perks without switching bank account, including one percent cashback on spending or bills and decent savings interest.”
It added: “Banks sometimes offer bonuses – free cash, boosted savings rates or other perks – to new customers who switch in an existing current account to a new current account with them.
“Essentially, banks want your custom and switch ‘bribes’ are a double win for banks – you not only join them, but you leave one of their rivals.”
The first bank switch recommended by MSE is to a First Direct 1st Account. According to experts this is “top for service” and a good “all rounder”. MSE said: “First Direct’s been top or near-top of every bank service poll we’ve ever run – most recently it scored 91% ‘great’.
“Plus, newbies to First Direct’s 1st Account can expect £175 to switch, a £250 0% overdraft (subject to a credit check), a linked regular saver paying 7% fixed for a year on up to £300 a month (maxed out that’s £137 in interest) and near-perfect rates when spending overseas. Put all this together and it’s a top all-round account.”
To get the bonus:
- You can’t have ever had any account with First Direct
- You can’t have opened an HSBC current account since January 2018
- Open the account in-app (online for joint accounts)
- Switch in an account from a different bank including two or more direct debits or standing orders within 45 days
- Pay in £1,000 or more and make five or more debit card payments within 45 days.
The £175 will be paid by the 20th of the following month after you meet the switch bonus criteria.
The next bank switch account recommended by MSE is the Nationwide FlexDirect. This also offers £175 for switching.
MSE said: “Nationwide is offering a host of perks to newbies switching to its FlexDirect account. On top of the £175 free cash, there’s 5% AER interest on current account balances up to £1,500 for a year (maxed out that’s £75), 1% cashback for 12 months up to £5 a month, plus a 0% overdraft on up to £50.
“You also get access to a linked regular saver paying 6.5% variable interest for a year on up to £200/mth (max £85/year interest).”
To get the bonus:
- You can’t have switched into a Nationwide account, or have received switch cash from Nationwide, since August 18, 2021
- Open the account online or via app (or switch into an existing FlexDirect account, though you won’t get interest or cashback)
- Switch an account from a different bank, including two or more direct debits, within 28 days
- Within 31 days of requesting the switch, pay in £1,000 or more and make at least one payment using the debit card.
The £175 will be paid within 10 days of meeting all the criteria.
