Switching banks - advice please

Bd2023

Can anyone give some advice on any potential impact when switching bank account? I’ve been with Santander for 16 years for my main account and Starling for a 2nd account for a couple of years. Santander don’t do/offer much and seem really old fashioned when I need a statement compared to Starling. I’m considering switching my main account to Starling where I’ll get a “rainy day” fund and the ability to produce statements with dates I want. Whenever I apply for credit, I’m usually asked “how long have you been with your current bank” - what is the impact of saying 3 years VS 16 years? 

Also - I’ve recently got a new mortgage and the DD is set up against santander. 

Zanderman

Better to have a long banking relationship, so worth having one. 

If you don't want to use the Santander account why not just keep it as a dormant account - a few £ in it but left largely untouched. 

That way you can move (though not switch, as that would close the account) your main banking activity to Starling and enable you to still say you've banked with Santander for a long time.  

It's always sensible to have current accounts with more than one bank anyway, just in case of IT melt-downs or other problems at your sole bank.

stuartp2000

The fact you have a new mortgage I would assume this is the biggest part of borrowing required for a while so the longevity with a bank is less of a concern for a while.?
I change bank every year sometimes more and whilst the question is asked it’s part of a total credit worthy check, in fact my situation is worse than yours as I switch so get a hard credit check, your situation of being with Starling for 3 years is not an issue I am sure.
however as Zanderman says having a back up account even if not used day to day but has some funds in is always a good idea as we do know banks that have had IT issues so this would give you some flexibility.

Robo-787

If you don't use your Santander account often enough they'll close it. They closed mine because I never used it as my main banking transactions were done elsewhere.

[Deleted User]

Starling don't offer a switching bonus. Just flip things around and use Starling as your main bank account and retain Santander as a secondary bank.

if nothing else, Santander give you a backup, a branch access option and free usage of their ATMs worldwide including Spain, Portugal and the USA - you don't get this from Starling.  

penners324

Bd2023 said:

Can anyone give some advice on any potential impact when switching bank account? I’ve been with Santander for 16 years for my main account and Starling for a 2nd account for a couple of years. Santander don’t do/offer much and seem really old fashioned when I need a statement compared to Starling. I’m considering switching my main account to Starling where I’ll get a “rainy day” fund and the ability to produce statements with dates I want. Whenever I apply for credit, I’m usually asked “how long have you been with your current bank” - what is the impact of saying 3 years VS 16 years? 

Also - I’ve recently got a new mortgage and the DD is set up against santander. 

None. I've switched everything to Starling. Have applied for mortgages afterwards and no impact.

Use Starling's CASS service in the app, very easy