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

adindas

JLMartin said:

How do you know if you are hard searched?

Check your Credit Reports on the three major CRAs. Nowadays you could get all of them for free from their sisters site.

• Experian – use MSE Credit Club, which offers full access to your Experian credit report for free anytime.
• Equifax – use Clearscore*, which provides free access to your Equifax report.
• TransUnion – use Credit Karma, which gives you free access to your TransUnion report.

Other people experience and relationship with particular banks are unique, so you will only know it for sure whether you have been hard searched or not once you have applied.

Clairejbh

Does your dummy account have to be a specific type or open for a set time period or have to have active payments in/out? Hubby’s in the last week opened an everyday current Santander account that he’s then going to use for the switch to NatWest, but when he’s tried to switch it’s told him his Santander a/c isn’t covered in the switch guarantee? He has received the debit card and has put a small money sum in it ?? Sorry for the questions we’re new to switching…

subjecttocontract

Metro Bank accounts are easy to open......visit branch take ID and they open you an account whilst you wait. That's where I'd go for an account to switch.

dealyboy

Hi @Clairejbh ...

Clairejbh said:

Does your dummy account have to be a specific type or open for a set time period or have to have active payments in/out? Hubby’s in the last week opened an everyday current Santander account that he’s then going to use for the switch to NatWest, but when he’s tried to switch it’s told him his Santander a/c isn’t covered in the switch guarantee? He has received the debit card and has put a small money sum in it ?? Sorry for the questions we’re new to switching…

I'm surprised at this because I did exactly that about a month ago ... applied and opened a Santander Eveyday Current Account and switched it to NatWest, no problems. I also did exactly the same to First Direct.

Santander are members of the Current Account Switch Scheme (CASS). Who/what advised your hubby that this account couldn't be switched?

Rob5342

subjecttocontract said:

Metro Bank accounts are easy to open......visit branch take ID and they open you an account whilst you wait. That's where I'd go for an account to switch.

It's much easier to do it online than have all the hassle of going to a branch, Metro and most other banks let you do it online these days.