It’s easy to switch bank accounts
When you apply to switch from your existing current account to us, we’ll move all your Direct Debits, standing orders, and bill payments to your new Co-operative Bank current account in just 7 business days.
Once you've given us a few details, we’ll do the rest.
Why switch to The Co-operative Bank?
Your money has power—so deciding who you bank with is an important decision. But with so many banks to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to find out everything you want to know before opening an account.
As the original ethical bank, we believe it’s what we won’t do with your money that really makes a difference.
Find out what impact your bank has and how we’re different
The benefits
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Manage your money on-the-go
You can use our online banking services and mobile app to manage your daily banking.
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Have 24/7 customer support
Our dedicated support agents are on hand to support you whenever you need.
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Earn interest on your savings
Our range of savings accounts offer competitive rates.
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Receive full fraud protection
Because keeping your money safe is one of our top priorities.
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Get Everyday Rewards
You can earn rewards and have them paid to you or a charity.
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Use the original ethical bank
Refer a Friend – receive £125 for you and £125 for your friend too
If you're an existing current account customer with us and you recommend a Co-operative Bank Current Account or Everyday Extra account to your friends and family, we’ll give you both £125 after they switch. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
What happens during the 7 business days?
As long as you’ve provided all information and you’re not overdrawn:
- Day 1 to 2 – The Switch Service will check if the switch can go ahead
- Day 3 to 5 – We’ll open your new account. And we’ll move all your regular payments to your new account
- Day 6 to 7 – We’ll transfer your bank account balance. Your old account will be closed. And we’ll let you know that the switch is complete.
Current Account Switch Service
The Switch Service makes switching simple, smooth and universal. Your incoming and outgoing payments will be transferred automatically, and if you do a full switch, you’ll be covered by the Switch Guarantee.
This all means you can switch worry-free when you want to.
What is the Switch Guarantee?
The Current Account Switch Guarantee applies to full switches.
The Current Account Switch service was designed to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take 7 business days. As your new current account provider, we offer the following guarantee:
- The service is free to use and you can choose and agree your switch date with us
- We will take care of moving all your outgoing payments (for example, your Direct Debits and standing orders) and those coming in (for example, your salary)
- If you have money in your old account, we will transfer it to your new account on your switch date
- We will arrange for payments accidentally made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account. We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details
- If there are any issues in making the switch, we will contact you before your switch date
- If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current account as a result of the failure.
How to switch bank account with us
When you apply to switch, just make sure you let us know:
- Your old account number and sort code
- Your old debit card details, if you have one and it is activated
- The date you want to complete the switch.
Please make sure you include all these details, or you’ll need to call us to complete the switch.
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I want to apply for a new account
Open a bank account online with us today— we’re the UK’s only high street bank with a customer-led Ethical Policy.
We have a range of accounts to suit your needs. When you should apply to switch will depend on which you choose.
Apply to switch as part of the application
- Standard Current Account – our no-fee current account.
Apply to switch once your account is open
- Everyday Extra - Our packaged bank account – comes with worldwide travel insurance, UK & European breakdown cover, and mobile phone insurance, all for just £15 per month. Exclusions and limitations apply.
- Cashminder – for people with no credit history or a low credit score who want a basic bank account they can use online and on mobile.
- Student bank account – comes with an interest-free overdraft you can ask to increase each year, starting at £1,400. Eligibility and T&Cs apply.
What’s included when moving your bank account?
We want to make switching as straightforward as possible. But there are a few things we can’t redirect automatically when you switch.
What is redirected automatically during the switch?
When you apply for a full switch, we’ll automatically redirect these things from your old account:
- Your existing account balance (as long as you’re not overdrawn)
- Your saved payees
- Your regular outgoing payments, such as Direct Debits and standing orders
- Your regular incoming payments, such as salary payments
- Any one-off incoming payments, if anyone pays into your old account.
You’ll need to manage these things yourself, as we won't be able to redirect them from your old account:
- Your arranged overdrafts – you’ll need to apply for a new overdraft with us
- Your regular debit card payments – those that come from your card rather than the account, such as streaming subscriptions
- Your other accounts, such as savings accounts, credit cards or loans
- Your mobile payments
- Your Open Banking services
- Your transaction history and account statements.
You can check your switching options to see a list of what is included in a partial switch instead.
What are your switching options?
If you want to keep your old account open and you’re happy to manage your payments yourself, you can make use of a partial switch.
You need to complete a full switch to benefit from our Refer a Friend Switching Offer.
What’s the difference between a full switch and a partial switch?
Switching is always free, whether you complete a full or partial switch.
When you do a full switch:
- Your old account will be closed
- Any remaining balance will be transferred to your new account
- All your regular outgoing and incoming payments will be transferred to your new account
- Any one-off payments you receive into your old account will be redirected to your new account with us
- You will be covered if there are any problems, including if there are any fees or charges
- You can select a switch date, and the switch takes 7 business days once it’s started.
When you do a partial switch:
- Your old account will remain open
- Any remaining balance won’t be transferred to your new account
- You can choose to transfer all or some of your regular payments to your new account
- Any one-off payments you receive into your old account will not be redirected
- You won’t be covered if there are any problems, including if there are any fees or charges
- You can select a switch date, once chosen this will take 7 business days to complete.
Can I complete a switch if I’m overdrawn (in my overdraft)?
You can begin a switch even if you're overdrawn, but overdrawn balances are not transferred as part of a switch. This means you must pay back the overdrawn balance and any fees or charges on your old account before you can complete the switch.
You can pay back overdrawn balances on your old account using an overdraft with us if you’ve applied and been approved. Approval is subject to eligibility and based on a credit check and assessment of your personal circumstances.
When will the money in my old account be transferred to my new account?
Your money will be moved to your new account on your switch date. Before this you will be able to access your money in your old account.
Are there any fees or charges for switching?
Switching current accounts is always free of charge.
If you apply for a full switch, you will be covered by the Current Account Switch Guarantee. This means we will cover you if anything goes wrong and you’re charged as a result, such as for late payments.
If you apply for a partial switch, you won’t be covered the Guarantee, so you may be charged if you miss any payments, so it’s important to pay attention to your regular payments and bills once your new account is open.
Will my Open Banking services transfer along with my switch?
Your Open Banking services and permissions won’t transfer with your switch. If you have any set up on your old account which you’d like to continue using:
- Before you switch, check which third party providers (TPPs) you have active permissions set up with on your old account.
After you’ve switched, contact the TPPs you had active permissions set up with to give them your new account details. - We may not support your TPP as we only work with TPPs that have been certified by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Open Banking services involve allowing TPPs to make payments on your behalf, and to access your financial data. Examples of TPPs include financial comparison websites, money management apps and payment services.
Important documents
Read the important documents below and save copies of them for future reference.
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