What a/c should I open to use as a switch?

Clairejbh

Hi looking to make hubby switch to NatWest a/c and credit card from tsb and Tesco cc but he doesn’t want to close tsb a/c he’s had forever. Is there a quick simple a/c we can open only elsewhere you’d suggest just so we can then use that one for the switch to NatWest? Don’t want to use one of the good ones incase he wants to open with them whenever in the future TIA :-)

Rob5342

I'd suggest a bank you wouldn't want for any other reason so there is no danger of you wanting an account with them later. I'd suggest one that doesn't stand out in terms of its app features or history of switching bonuses, Metro Bank, Barclays or Co-Operative bank spring to mind. Some people suggest Starling or Monzo but I'd advise against that as they have apps that are far better than any other bank.

Clairejbh

fabulous thank u 😊 

gary1312

Clairejbh said:

Hi looking to make hubby switch to NatWest a/c and credit card from tsb and Tesco cc but he doesn’t want to close tsb a/c he’s had forever. Is there a quick simple a/c we can open only elsewhere you’d suggest just so we can then use that one for the switch to NatWest? Don’t want to use one of the good ones incase he wants to open with them whenever in the future TIA :-)

I'd recommend opening a Basic account so you don't get credit checked for your donor account application. Santander and Co-op both allow you to apply for their Basic accounts directly.

Clairejbh

fabulous thanks Gary 

grumbler

Rob5342 said:

I'd suggest one that doesn't stand out in terms of its ... history of switching bonuses, ....Co-Operative bank spring to mind.

Co-Op? Really? In fact they offered very generous switching bonuses recently - £125+£125 RAF. A family of two could easily make at least £375. My family made £650.

Rob5342

I mentioned The Co-op as their offers don't seem to have been anywhere near as frequent as those from The Halifax etc, maybe I've missed how frequent they were though.

Stargunner

Could you not open another current account with TSB and use that to switch. I did that recently with Santander and the 2nd account was opened within 10 mins via the app.

adindas

Clairejbh said:

Hi looking to make hubby switch to NatWest a/c and credit card from tsb and Tesco cc but he doesn’t want to close tsb a/c he’s had forever. Is there a quick simple a/c we can open only elsewhere you’d suggest just so we can then use that one for the switch to NatWest? Don’t want to use one of the good ones incase he wants to open with them whenever in the future TIA :-)

Typically people are looking into the banks that they are unlikely to be hard searched.
There is already an early thread on this: 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6422051/list-of-banks-with-hard-vs-soft-searches-for-current-accounts/p1

The most frequently mentioned are: 

The banks you have Banked with

 Alternatively: Metro, Starling, Monzo,

Keep in mind whether you will be hard searched or no, you will only know it once you have applied. 

Apjs87

I was daunted by the switching malarky but now find it is really easy. To take the hassle away of opening an account with another bank, just open a separate account with the bank you are currently with. Use that to then switch from.

I found switching to banks that dont need you to take direct debits with you the easiest thing to do.

JLMartin

How do you know if you are hard searched?