Switching without closing old account?

martyp

Hi all,

I've just signed up to one of the new switcher accounts where you get the money for doing so. The thing is I was hoping to find a way I could keep my current account I have now as one thing I really liked on it was that you could pay cheques in by post and not have to wait around in banks and post offices. That account I can't reopen if I needed to as they're not accepting any new customers.
I'm happy to have all my ingoings (except maybe a very occasional cheque) as well as all outgoings going to and from the new account. I know that banks are clamping down on people switching accounts to just get the money but that's not my intention. Yes I do want the money etc. and decent interest rates but want to try and keep my old account just not use it.
In the details on this site is says you can opt for the slow switch process of about 18 days or so but according to the new bank you can't do this and can only get the money for switching if you do the 7 day switch and close the old account.

As I have until next month to switch, is it not possible to open another account and switch at least two direct debits over and then switch from that one?

HappyMJ

It's easy enough to just open another one to switch from so just do that.

You can switch as soon as the account is open but I would wait until the DD's appear on on-line banking first which might take a week or two.

martyp

Thanks HappyMJ, I was hoping I could. Are there any I could easily just open and won't get loads of things delivered such as a new debit card etc. just for the purpose of switching.
I'm desperate to avoid breaking the process so that I can be sure of getting the switching money

martyp

I can see Barclays do quite a basic account. It would be good if there was an ideal one for this purpose. I've seen other threads suggesting opening a 2nd account with the same bank as the current but I can't open another account with my bank as they're not allowing any new accounts to anyone (hence why I'm reluctant to close it). I did have a nice chat with them today though and they said I'd still have the savings account and I could probably come back to them as a previous customer if I did leave...
I want to try and find an account that'll work ok for the purpose of the switch as a workaround but doesn't have any fancy features (preferably also that won't affect any future switches by having been with that bank before).
What about this: https://www.acornaccount.com