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Current account switching cash offers slashed

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Rachel Springall, Press Officer
Rachel Springall, Press Officer / Finance Expert 01603 476210 Email Rachel
02/09/2024

Current account switching cash offers slashed

Consumers will find current account switching perks have been slashed in recent weeks. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk assesses some of the most attractive current account packages for consumers to consider.

Current account switching cash offers slashed

Consumers will find current account switching perks have been slashed in recent weeks. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk assesses some of the most attractive current account packages for consumers to consider.

  • Several current account providers have pulled their free cash offers over the past five weeks, including Barclays Bank, The Co-operative Bank, first direct and Lloyds Bank.
  • Last week, Barclays Bank pulled its £175 incentive, which launched on 8 July.
  • On 9 August, The Co-operative Bank withdrew its £100 incentive, which launched 17 July.
  • On 6 August, first direct pulled its £175 incentive, which launched 7 May.
  • On 30 July, Lloyds Bank removed its £175 incentive, which launched 28 May.
  • Several current account providers have pulled their free cash offers over the past five weeks, including Barclays Bank, The Co-operative Bank, first direct and Lloyds Bank.
  • Last week, Barclays Bank pulled its £175 incentive, which launched on 8 July.
  • On 9 August, The Co-operative Bank withdrew its £100 incentive, which launched 17 July.
  • On 6 August, first direct pulled its £175 incentive, which launched 7 May.
  • On 30 July, Lloyds Bank removed its £175 incentive, which launched 28 May.

 

Selection of accounts

Selection of accounts

Account

Cashback

Benefits

Cost to borrow £500 for 7 days

High interest

Nationwide - FlexDirect*

None

5.00% AER (4.89% gross a year) credit interest fixed for 12 months on balances up to £1,500; thereafter 1% AER (0.99% gross a year) variable

£3.26 (39.9% EAR)

Spend and save

Santander Edge Up current account**

1% cashback on debit card spends at transport and grocery merchants (capped at £15 per month) and 1% on selected household bills (up to £15 per month)

3.50% AER (3.45% gross) credit interest on balances up to £25,000, access to Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.

£3.27 (39.94% EAR)

Overdraft usage

Starling Bank Current Account

None

3.25% AER (3.19% gross) credit interest on balances up to £5,000. No fees overseas for card usage

£1.35 (15.0% EAR)

*Min £1,000 per month funding. **£5 monthly fee, £1,500 per month funding. Customer must be signed up to online and mobile banking to qualify for Santander Boosts. Source: Moneyfactscompare.co.uk

 

 

 

Selection of accounts

Selection of accounts

Account

Cashback

Benefits

Cost to borrow £500 for 7 days

High interest

Nationwide - FlexDirect*

None

5.00% AER (4.89% gross a year) credit interest fixed for 12 months on balances up to £1,500; thereafter 1% AER (0.99% gross a year) variable

£3.26 (39.9% EAR)

Spend and save

Santander Edge Up current account**

1% cashback on debit card spends at transport and grocery merchants (capped at £15 per month) and 1% on selected household bills (up to £15 per month)

3.50% AER (3.45% gross) credit interest on balances up to £25,000, access to Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.

£3.27 (39.94% EAR)

Overdraft usage

Starling Bank Current Account

None

3.25% AER (3.19% gross) credit interest on balances up to £5,000. No fees overseas for card usage

£1.35 (15.0% EAR)

*Min £1,000 per month funding. **£5 monthly fee, £1,500 per month funding. Customer must be signed up to online and mobile banking to qualify for Santander Boosts. Source: Moneyfactscompare.co.uk

 

 

Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“The summertime of free cash incentives on current accounts fizzled out over recent weeks. These changes were largely expected, as many of the free cash offers had a set window for consumers to take advantage. It’s not all bad news though, as consumers will see these types of incentives come and go throughout the year when banks decide to compete for new business. However, those customers who have not made time to explore the variety of offers and switch using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) would have missed out on free cash from some of the biggest banking brands last month. This should not deter customers from ditching and switching to an account that works harder for them, as there are still some decent packages available to suit different circumstances. It’s vital that customers choose an account based on its overall value, and not just for a free cash incentive.

“A low interest rate overdraft tariff could suit customers who may need to borrow more than they earn in an emergency. Starling Bank offers a fuss-free account and charges 15.0% EAR on its overdraft, which is less than half the rate many of the biggest banks set. Those consumers who want to earn a bit of interest on their current account will find Nationwide offering the highest in-credit interest rate of 5.00% AER on its FlexDirect account. Customers will need to make a note that the credit interest rate will fall after 12 months to 1% AER. Those who spend and save will find Santander’s Edge Up current account appealing; savers can earn 3.50% AER interest on balances up to £25,000 and spenders can earn cashback on debit card transactions and monthly bills. Those who sign up to Santander Boosts can also get entry into prize draws, earn cashback or vouchers.”

Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“The summertime of free cash incentives on current accounts fizzled out over recent weeks. These changes were largely expected, as many of the free cash offers had a set window for consumers to take advantage. It’s not all bad news though, as consumers will see these types of incentives come and go throughout the year when banks decide to compete for new business. However, those customers who have not made time to explore the variety of offers and switch using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) would have missed out on free cash from some of the biggest banking brands last month. This should not deter customers from ditching and switching to an account that works harder for them, as there are still some decent packages available to suit different circumstances. It’s vital that customers choose an account based on its overall value, and not just for a free cash incentive.

“A low interest rate overdraft tariff could suit customers who may need to borrow more than they earn in an emergency. Starling Bank offers a fuss-free account and charges 15.0% EAR on its overdraft, which is less than half the rate many of the biggest banks set. Those consumers who want to earn a bit of interest on their current account will find Nationwide offering the highest in-credit interest rate of 5.00% AER on its FlexDirect account. Customers will need to make a note that the credit interest rate will fall after 12 months to 1% AER. Those who spend and save will find Santander’s Edge Up current account appealing; savers can earn 3.50% AER interest on balances up to £25,000 and spenders can earn cashback on debit card transactions and monthly bills. Those who sign up to Santander Boosts can also get entry into prize draws, earn cashback or vouchers.”

Notes to editors

Pioneering financial comparison technology for over 35 years.

Moneyfacts Group plc is the UK’s leading provider of retail financial product data. Used by virtually every bank and building society in the UK, and supplied to the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, HM Treasury, Prudential Regulatory Authority and UK Finance.

Our expert research team monitors the thousands of mortgages, savings, credit card, personal loan, business banking, life, pension and investment products in the UK.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk is the financial product price comparison site, launched as Moneyfacts.co.uk in 2000 and rebranded to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2023, which helps consumers compare thousands of financial products, including credit cards, savings, mortgages and many more. Unlike other comparison sites, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows whole of market data regardless of commercial bias, showing consumers a true picture of the best products based on the criteria they select.

We hope you find this press release insightful. We would appreciate a link back to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk if you decide to source this information.

For more information about us please see our key facts.

Broadcast

Our broadcast suite enables our finance experts to appear in-vision for television, and we regularly comment live on national and regional radio.

To arrange an interview for radio or television, please contact our press department. We have an in-house broadcast room.

 

Notes to editors

Pioneering financial comparison technology for over 35 years.

Moneyfacts Group plc is the UK’s leading provider of retail financial product data. Used by virtually every bank and building society in the UK, and supplied to the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, HM Treasury, Prudential Regulatory Authority and UK Finance.

Our expert research team monitors the thousands of mortgages, savings, credit card, personal loan, business banking, life, pension and investment products in the UK.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk is the financial product price comparison site, launched as Moneyfacts.co.uk in 2000 and rebranded to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2023, which helps consumers compare thousands of financial products, including credit cards, savings, mortgages and many more. Unlike other comparison sites, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows whole of market data regardless of commercial bias, showing consumers a true picture of the best products based on the criteria they select.

We hope you find this press release insightful. We would appreciate a link back to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk if you decide to source this information.

For more information about us please see our key facts.

Broadcast

Our broadcast suite enables our finance experts to appear in-vision for television, and we regularly comment live on national and regional radio.

To arrange an interview for radio or television, please contact our press department. We have an in-house broadcast room.

 

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Rachel Springall Press Officer / Finance Expert
Caitlyn Eastell Apprentice Press & PR Assistant