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We find current accounts from leading providers from across the market and we’ll show you the results within seconds
Bag a bonus when you switch bank accounts
You could earn up to £210 when you switch to a new current account
We'll do the hard part, so you don't have to. We work with a range of leading current account providers to make managing your money simple
1Accurate as of September 2023
We find current accounts from leading providers from across the market and we’ll show you the results within seconds
We show you the current account’s key features upfront, such as overdraft facility, interest rates, bonuses and limits
Once you’ve found the current account you want, just click through to the provider and apply in seconds
A current account is a bank or building society account used for everyday spending. Your salary or pension can be paid in, and you can set up automated electronic payments – such as direct debits and standing orders – to pay regular bills.
Current accounts come with a debit card which can be used to withdraw cash from a cash machine, or to make payments, including contactless payments in shops and purchases online. You have immediate access to the money in your current account.
MoneySuperMarket makes switching to a new bank account quick and easy. Simply compare and choose your new current account and with the Current Account Switch Guarantee your old and new bank will work together to take care of the switch.
You get to choose the date you want the switch to go through
Incoming payments like your salary and your current direct debits and standing orders will move across
You’ll be covered financially and reimbursed if anything goes wrong
If your new current account comes with a switch incentive, you’ll receive the funds once the switch is complete
There are several types of current accounts to suit different needs, including:
If you want to manage your finances with someone else, a joint current account could be ideal. You can have multiple bank accounts.
If you’re looking to receive payments and pay out money in your company name, a business current account may suit you best.
Looking to open a current account for your child? A children’s bank account can help them understand the value of money and become more financially independent.
Off to college or university soon and looking for a way to manage your spending? A student account tends to offer the best deals on overdrafts.
Switching your bank account, comes with a host of benefits, such as:
A common perk for switching is a cash incentive, which is basically free money. However there tend to be some conditions, such as a minimum deposit to put into the account
Some banks offer you better deals on your overdraft when you switch with them, such as an interest-free overdraft for a period time
You can even benefit from cashback when you switch current accounts. Some banks may let you get cashback on purchases from selected stores
Another perk when you switch current accounts can be access to better saving rates. The provider may offer you savings accounts with generous rates of interest for switching
When it comes to choosing the best current account for you this all depends on what you need your current account to do. Different current accounts will have features designed for different types of customer.
For those who regularly need to dip into an overdraft, you may want to prioritise a current account that comes with a cheaper overdraft – as some banks have very high overdraft rates.
You may want to consider an online or app-based bank where you can see your balance and manage your transactions at any time 24/7. Banking and access to cash is free and convenient.
If your account is rarely overdrawn, then a high interest account could benefit you. These accounts pay competitive rates of interest, however there is usually a cap on the balance that can earn interest each month.
If you have a low credit score then a basic bank account or account for bad credit can help you rebuild your score. You won’t have access to an overdraft, but setting up direct debits to pay bills on time through your account can improve your credit score.
"We tend to overlook our current accounts but they are valuable weapons in our financial arsenal. Some perks can genuinely save us money when they fit our needs, spending and saving habits. But even with the switch guarantee, we don't vote with our feet often enough when the account, service or provider isn't what we need or really want. It's high time we started flexing our muscles and making those providers work harder for us and our money.
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We can take the hard work out of finding a current account to suit you by comparing a range of current accounts all in one place.
Click through to search the market to find the best current account for your needs, including any cash incentives to switch
Use our handy filters to narrow down your options based on the type of current account you need, such as high interest or student accounts
When you find the deal you want, click straight through to the provider to complete your application. Sit back while your new bank takes care of the switch
To open a bank account, you’ll usually need the following information to hand:
Personal information: Usually your full name, nationality, contact details, date of birth and national insurance number
Proof of address: A recent utility bill, mortgage statement or tenancy agreement, bank statement or council tax bill
Proof of identity: Such as your passport or driving licence. If you’re opening a children’s account or student account, your bank may accept a birth certificate as proof of identity
Most providers will only need you to be over 18 to open a bank account, but some banks might have additional requirements for certain types of accounts. This could mean a minimum credit score, especially if the account comes with perks or benefits.
If you want to close your account, you’ll normally be able to do this by contacting your bank either by phone or post, or by meeting face to face and letting them know.
Switching current accounts is a great way to save money, as you might be able to find a provider that offers better interest rates or more useful incentives as part of the account. There are also numerous financial incentives on offer for switching accounts.
The process also only takes a maximum of seven working days, thanks to the Current Account Switch Service, so you’ll be ready to bank in no time.
You don’t need to tell your bank when you switch current accounts. When you’ve completed the Current Account Switch Agreement form, the bank you are switching to will take care of the rest.
Any payments in and out of your old account are automatically switched thanks to the Current Account Switch Service, and your new bank will contact the person sending the payment or the person due to receive the payment to let them know your new account details. They’ll also contact you if there are any problems.
If you created any regular payments using your old account’s debit card then you might need to manually change them.
Many banks will let you add another name to your current account – you’ll normally both have to go into a branch and show ID to do this, as well as fill out some forms.
However, some accounts might only be limited to one account holder, and others could say the additional person needs to be a certain age. They may even need to make a payment into the account to be added – read more with our guide to joint bank accounts.
If you want to change the personal details on your account you’ll normally be able to do this by filling out a form or going into a branch. You’ll need to bring in some sort of proof of your new personal details, for example a marriage certificate if you’re changing your name for marriage, an amended birth certificate or another form of identification – you can ask your bank or check online to see what they need you to do.
If your bank goes out of business your money is safe up to a threshold of £85,000 due to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which gives you government protection when you bank. It includes digital and challenger banks, building societies and credit unions.
AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate, and it shows you how much interest you’re earning on the balance of your savings account. APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, which refers to the interest rate you’ll pay on any loan or credit card repayments.
There are no rules on how many current accounts you can have. You can have multiple bank accounts – provided your bank or building society lets you. But some current accounts have eligibility criteria, such as a minimum amount you must pay into the account each month, for example.
It can be beneficial to have an additional current account with a partner or housemate if, for example, you need to share payment of rent, mortgage and other bills. You could also open a second current account to earn higher interest on some savings, and still want to keep another account for day-to-day spending.
Be aware that if you use an overdraft on more than one current account this could negatively impact your credit score and affect your ability to get loans and credit. Your credit score could also dip if you apply for a lot of new current accounts in a short space of time.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme will protect up to £85,000 in your current account. As long as your current account is held within a UK-authorised bank, building society or credit union then your money will be covered by the FSCS. If you hold a joint bank account, then up to £170,000 will be protected.
You can find current account switching offers when you compare with us. You can sort by switching incentive, so you can see how much you could get for switching your bank account.
When you open a current account with an overdraft, a hard credit check will be carried out, as you’ll have access to borrowing. So, when you open a new current, there will be a temporary drop in your credit score. Consequently,having multiple bank accounts could affect your credit score as the applications show up on your credit file.
Your current account will be where your salary is paid into and where people transfer money to you. You can use this account for everyday spending as it’s the money you currently have and are not borrowing from your credit card provider, for example.
Most standard current accounts will come with an overdraft facility. This allows for short-term borrowing, however overdrafts charge interest and get expensive quickly.
You can get a bank account even if you’ve had debt problems in the past or if you have a low credit score.
Current accounts for bad credit or basic bank accounts offer most of the functionality of a standard current account, but typically you won’t have access to an overdraft.
A current account is a bank or building society account that lets you manage your day-to-day spending.
You can have your salary paid into it, set up direct debits and standing orders, and negotiate an overdraft. Some accounts also pay interest on balances and offer cashback on spending.
There are lots of types of current account to suit all sorts of personal situations. These include:
Standard: For managing ordinary income and expenditure, usually with a debit card, a cheque book and an overdraft
Basic: No-frills accounts which come with fewer features, designed for people with bad or no credit history
Packaged: These come with various bonuses, including things like interest-free overdraft, insurance add-ons and discounts for other banking products. They usually have monthly fees and eligibility requirements
Student/graduate: Current accounts designed to cover the particular financial pressures faced by students and recent graduates, normally including larger interest-free overdrafts
Joint: Accounts designed for two or more people, to cover household expenses or couples’ expenditure
Children’s: These have few features and are designed to introduce children to banking and saving
Some current accounts come with extra benefits for the account holder, like a cash bonus for signing up, better interest rates or even breakdown cover. The accounts might only be available to certain customers, like those with high credit ratings.
Some current accounts include fees if you use them in a certain way – some banks might charge you for resending a printed account statement or for accessing your account abroad. You may even be charged a fee for going into your overdraft without telling your bank beforehand.
The traditional idea of banking is being changed by digital or challenger banks, who provide most of their services through the internet or a mobile app rather than in branch or over the phone. Many are designed to be more open and transparent with customers and less focused on banking products.
It’s more attractive than ever to compare current accounts: healthy competition means there are a number of incentives available for those willing to switch. But if you don’t compare current accounts, you could be missing out on a great deal – and some free cash!
Switching current accounts is simple because most of the legwork is done for you and, at the end of it, you can benefit from an account that’s much better for your pocket and lifestyle.
If you’re looking for the best current account, you’ll benefit from a wide range of products to choose from. Many of the best current accounts offer:
High interest rates
Cashback and rewards on spending
Competitive overdraft rates
The best current account is different for each person, as it depends on your spending habits and level of savings.
Switching current accounts has never been simpler, and many providers offer lucrative incentives for moving your account to them.
The Current Account Switch Guarantee makes switching current accounts very easy indeed, and your bank will do most of the legwork for you, including transferring money, direct debits and standing orders, and informing your employer.
When you switch your current account to a new bank or building society, you could get £100 or more in cashback as a reward for switching. Just make sure that you’re applying for an account that suits your needs, not just the one with the highest cashback.
If you tend to stay in credit and never go overdrawn, you could get rewarded regularly by your bank or building society. By switching to a rewards current account, you could get a monthly reward payment and earn cashback on your spending. Some providers will also offer a cash incentive for switching your current account to them.
Many rewards accounts have requirements such as paying in a minimum amount eachmonth, or having a minimum number of direct debits, so make sure you can meet the criteria to get the rewards.
If you’re fed up with getting poor customer service from your bank, switch your current account to a provider that’s known for looking after its customers.
As well as making your life easier, some of these accounts offer extra benefits such as competitive overdrafts or cashback for switching.
It’s a good idea to check your account statements regularly, because this could stop you going into your overdraft without knowing. It can also be a good way to double check whether there are any transactions you don’t recognise.
Look for a provider with good customer service, because you never know when you’ll need to call them up or go into a branch to fix an issue.
Remember to be careful with your PIN and account details; you should keep this information safe and protected. Remember, your bank will never ask you to reveal details like your PIN, either on the phone, in person or through an email.
Your bank will almost certainly have an app that lets you manage your account online, and some may even be based on their app. This is excellent for quick and easy money management.
Each bank has different ways of transferring money. Some require you to use a card reader when transferring any sum of money, while others only use it for transactions over a set amount.
Other banks do not use card readers at all, so if money transfers are something you might be doing a lot of, it’s worth checking the policy details to see how easy it is to make payments on the go.
If your current account comes with benefits such as air miles, you might want to check whether you really need them. For example, if you’re not a frequent flyer, is an air miles bonus worth the extra cost?
