how long does switching take

bohana34

Hi guys. I have been with Natwest for 9 years and I'm considering switching to santander 123. I have no direct debits going out now until August 28th. Would the switch be made by that time? Is it guaranteed that all direct debits will be switched? How do I have access to my money while the switch is taking place?


Thank you

irishjohn

its possible that the switch could take place before 28th - the process has to be completed within 7 days but the bank you switch to will ask you for a date on which you want the switch to happen.

Effectively you will have two bank accounts in place during the switching process and if you have a balance available in either account you can access it as normal. On the switch date your NatWest account will be closed and any balance in it transferred to Santander. From that date all your direct debits will be taken from the new Santander account. Any errors made by either bank or any of your direct debits will be sorted by the appropriate bank for 12 months from the date of switch. But you would need to monitor your new account to check that all is happening as it should - much better than just trusting that it will work.

Here's what Santander says and includes the telephone number you need to use to start the process

How to switch
Switching to Santander is hassle free and can be completed in just 7 working days.

If you don't already hold a Santander Current Account, you can apply online, in branch or by calling us on 0800 068 6069. We will ask you during the application if you want to switch an account you hold elsewhere to Santander.

If you're an existing customer we can also arrange to switch a current account you hold elsewhere to your existing Santander current account. Simply visit your local branch or call us on 0800 068 6069.

Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm Saturdays.


To switch you'll need to give us

your existing sort code and account number
your existing debit card number and expiry date. If you are switching a joint account to us, we'll need the debit card details for all applicants.

djp64

I am in the process of switching from RBS to Santander
So long as the DDs are set up you should be fine - the DDs do not need to have been called for.
Got new debit card, PIN and cheque book within 5 working days - so far so good. Haven't seen any DDs switched over yet (in terms of them having been set up on the account) but do check every couple of days.

It will be a month (next week) since the account was opened so will see what happens with interest etc if there are no DDs set up.

Debbie

Dird

Open the Santander account via TCB/quidco and you can get £35 cashback too

Stillsaving

As Dird noted, used TopCashBack for £35.35 cashback, then completed online form etc. to initiate switch of a joint a/c which completed on Wednesday. We choose to do so very quickly (initiated 7day period two days after applying) but you can choose any date forward up to 60days. So far all has gone well and we are receiving letters from our utilities etc. confirming DD changes have been automatically changed.

Very smooth with the Switching process now in place. I was with NatWest for 32yrs (gulp!) but I can recommend looking now to select an account better suited to your needs as the automated switching is so easy plus assurances are in place to protect you too.

compbren

Dird wrote: »

Open the Santander account via TCB/quidco and you can get £35 cashback too

I did this and my cash back got rejected