All information correct as at 30 September 2026
The Bank of England again held the base rate at 3.75% The next meeting is set for Thursday 05 November 2026.
Looking to switch banks? We compare the best UK bank switch offers for 2026, including cash bonuses but first check out Financielle’s top tips when it comes to switching your bank ⬇️
Financielle’s top tips 💸
✅ Write down the terms and conditions (don’t trip up on the fine print)
Tick off your terms and conditions and tick them off, as and when you take the action.
✅ Consider switching as a couple and double your money
Take advantage of two bank switches instead of one.
✅ Complete individual payments all at once
If you need to complete a set number of transactions to qualify, you can do them in the same supermarket or shop by paying for your items separately to hit the threshold.
✅ Set up a ‘burner’ current account so you can switch easier
If you want to keep your original current account, consider creating a ‘burner’ current account that’s easy to set up. You can use this as your ‘switching’ current account.
✅ Don’t be too loyal – there are deals to had
Your bank isn’t your football team. You should always consider what better deals you can get by switching your current account.
Watch and learn 📹
BBC Finance Expert and Financielle’s Co-Founder Laura Pomfret covered the art of bank switching on BBC Morning Live, you can watch the episode here
Bank switches
💳 Santander – GET A MASSIVE £240 Bonus 🎉(ends 07 October)!
- Open an Everyday Current Account and request to switch by 07 October using the current account switching service
- Switch within 60 days of the request
- Within 60 days of switch request fund a regular saver with £200
- Must have at least 2 household direct debits
- Pay in £1,500
- Can’t have held a Santander account on 01 January 2026 or previously had a switch incentive
Click here for more info
💳 Nationwide – £175 Bonus
- Open a FlexDirect, FlexAccount or a FlexPlus Account & switch with 2 active direct debits
- Must be switching from a non-Nationwide/non-Virgin Money account (first Nationwide switch offer only)
- Complete the switch within 28 days
- Pay in £1,000 & make 1 debit card payment within 31 days of the account opening
- Bonus paid within 10 days of completing the above
Click here for more info
💳 Lloyds Bank – £200 Bonus (ends 09/12/26)
- Switch to a new Lloyds Account from an account with another bank using the current account switching service (CASS)
- Apply for a Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Platinum, or Club Lloyds Silver account
- Open the account before 09 December 2026 and start your switch by this date
- Switch at least 3 active direct debits
- £200 bonus will appear in your account within 14 working days of starting the switch
- Not eligible if you have received a switch incentive since 01/01/2023
- Click here for more info
💳 NatWest & RBS Bank – £200 Bonus
- Apply for a Select or Reward account and complete a full switch
- Pay in £1,250 within 60 days of switching (must stay in the account for 24 hours)
- Log in to the mobile app
- £200 paid within 30 days of completing the above
Click here for more info (NatWest)
Click here for more info (RBS)
💳 HSBC – £220 Bonus
- Open a Bank Account via the mobile banking app
- Complete a full switch within 60 days (including 2 direct debits)
- Use the Current Account Switch Service
- Pay in £2,000 & spend £500 on your debit card within the 60 days
- Can’t have had an HSBC or First Direct current account since 01 January 2023
- Bonus paid within 60 days of completing the above
Click here for more info
💳 First Direct – £175 Bonus (plus £35 extra)
- Open a 1st Account & switch with 2 direct debits/standing orders
- Pay in £1,000, use the debit card 5+ times & log into the app — all within 45 days of opening
- Must be new to First Direct & not opened an HSBC current account since 2018
- Extra £35 for accounts opened between 14/09/26 and 02/12//26
Click here for more info
💳 CHASE…want to earn up to £250?
- Refer up to 5 people and earn £50 each time!
- Check the Rewards section of your Chase app — the offer is invite-only, so you’ll only see it if you’re eligible
- Create a code and send to your friends and family
- They open an account and enter the code in the Rewards section within 30 days of opening
- They deposit £1,000 within 30 days (it doesn’t have to stay in the account)
- You both receive £50 to your rewards balance once the conditions are met
Click here for more info
The content produced by Financielle is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.