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This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.

first direct
1st Account first direct
Open With £1
Account Type Current Account
Features £175 welcome bonus when you switch

SPECIAL OFFER - Switch to a 1st Account and get £175*. Requires credit check. New customers only and T&Cs apply.

Why we like it

Get access to a Regular Saver Account - Put away between £25 and £300 for a fixed 12 month term. If you save £300 every month for 12 months and qualify for the 7.00% AER/gross p.a. interest rate, you'll earn approximately £136.50 interest (gross). Interest is calculated daily and paid 12 months after you opened the account. AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. This shows you what the rate would be if interest were paid and compounded each year. Gross is the rate of interest if interest were paid and not compounded each year. No partial withdrawals allowed. Early closure will result in interest being paid at the standard account variable rate. £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status). No minimum monthly funding and no monthly account fee. No first direct fees for when spending abroad, withdrawing cash from the UK or when making a debit card payment in a foreign currency in the UK. Mobile banking app. UK based contact centre. Representative Example: How does our overdraft compare? The representative APR shows the cost of borrowing over a year, so you can use it to compare the cost of our overdraft against other overdrafts and ways of borrowing. 0% EAR variable on the first £250, 39.9% EAR variable thereafter, giving a representative rate of 30.5% APR variable (assumed arranged overdraft £1,200). For customers with an offset mortgage linked to a 1st Account, the interest-free limit will not apply. *Within 45 days of your account opening you need to: switch to first direct using the Current Account Switch Service (including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking. New customers only, who haven’t previously held a first direct product. first direct also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Subject to status. UK residents only

Details

Type of Account Interest Paying
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
NatWest
Select Account NatWest
Open With £0
Account Type Current Account
Features Fee FREE Everyday Account

Why we like it

An everyday current account. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. ‘Criteria Apply’. Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay™ and Contactless Visa Debit Card. Limits apply. Arranged overdraft available (subject to eligibility and lending criteria). No monthly fee. Defaqto 5* rated. Assumed arranged overdraft of £1,200, 39.49% variable p.a. representative 39.5% APR variable. Representative example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% (variable). Assumed credit limit:  £1,200 To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges for our standard adult current accounts is £18.80. What’s the cost of borrowing of £500: Zero days (you’ve not yet used your overdraft) - you’d pay in total £0.00.  One day - you’d pay in total £0.46. Five days - you’d pay in total £2.31. Seven days - you’d pay in total £3.24. Thirty days – you’d pay in total £13.87.

Details

Type of Account Everyday
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
NatWest
Reward Account NatWest
Open With £1250
Account Type Current Account
Features Earn Up to £5 in Rewards a month

Why we like it

Earn up to £5 per month back: £4 in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (2 of the Direct Debits need to be +£2 each) and £1 with 1 mobile app log in. £2 monthly fee applies. Earn Rewards that you can redeem as cash back, gift cards or e-codes with our retail partners. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. ‘Criteria Apply’. Arranged overdraft available (subject to eligibility and lending criteria). Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay™ and Contactless Visa Debit. Must be 18 or older and UK resident. Customers need to pay at least £1,250 into any eligible personal current account every month (excludes transfers between your own accounts). Must not currently hold 2 Reward accounts. Representative example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% (variable). Assumed credit limit:  £1,200. The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges for our standard adult current accounts is £18.80. What’s the cost of borrowing of £500: Zero days (you’ve not yet used your overdraft) - you’d pay in total £0.00. One day - you’d pay in total £0.46. Five days - you’d pay in total £2.31. Seven days - you’d pay in total £3.24. Thirty days – you’d pay in total £13.87

Details

Type of Account Reward
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Nationwide
FlexDirect Current Account Nationwide
Open With £1000
Account Type Current Account
Features 5% Interest AER on balances up to £1,500 Up to £60 cashback on debit card purchases for 12 months

Why we like it

5.00% AER fixed (4.89% gross pa) in-credit interest on balances up to £1,500 for the first 12 months. Up to £60 cashback on debit card purchases for 12 months- Earn 1% monthly cashback (up to £5 a month) when you spend on your debit card - whether online, over the phone or in store. No monthly account fee. Interest-free arranged overdraft for 12 months. Access to mobile banking secure app. Manage all your Nationwide accounts in one place. View and search your transactions. Freeze and unfreeze your Visa Debit card. Report your card lost or stolen and order a new card. Manage your account online and by app. Access to other Nationwide products by becoming a member of Nationwide. Current account members get access to exclusive savings accounts. Must pay a minimum of £1,000 into the account each month, from an external source (i.e. not another Nationwide account). After the first 12 months, interest rate drops to 1% AER (0.99% gross a year) variable. After 12 months, an interest rate of 39.9% a year compounded (variable) will apply to your arranged overdraft on balances over £50

Details

Type of Account Interest Paying
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Royal Bank of Scotland
Reward Account Royal Bank of Scotland
Open With £1250
Account Type Current Account
Features Earn Up to £5 in Rewards a month

Why we like it

Earn up to £5 per month back: £4 in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (2 of the Direct Debits need to be +£2 each) and £1 with 1 mobile app log in. £2 monthly fee applies. Earn Rewards that you can redeem as cash back, gift cards or e-codes with our retail partners. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. ‘Criteria Apply’. Arranged overdraft available (subject to eligibility and lending criteria). Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay™ and Contactless Visa Debit. Must be 18 or older and UK resident. Customers need to pay at least £1,250 into any eligible personal current account every month (excludes transfers between your own accounts). Must not currently hold 2 Reward accounts. Representative example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% (variable). Assumed credit limit:  £1,200. The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges for our standard adult current accounts is £18.80. What’s the cost of borrowing of £500: Zero days (you’ve not yet used your overdraft) - you’d pay in total £0.00. One day - you’d pay in total £0.46. Five days - you’d pay in total £2.31. Seven days - you’d pay in total £3.24. Thirty days – you’d pay in total £13.87

Details

Type of Account Reward
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Nationwide
FlexAccount Current Account Nationwide
Open With £1
Account Type Current Account
Features Everyday current account with no monthly fee

Why we like it

Everyday current account. No monthly account fee. Access to mobile banking secure app. Manage all your Nationwide accounts in one place. View and search your transactions. Freeze and unfreeze your Visa Debit card. Report your card lost or stolen and order a new card. Access to other Nationwide products by becoming a member of Nationwide. Current account members get access to exclusive savings accounts. 0% interest on any balance. £50 interest-free on an arranged overdraft. 39.9% EAR overdraft charge on balances over £50

Details

Type of Account Everyday
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Royal Bank of Scotland
Select Account Royal Bank of Scotland
Open With £0
Account Type Current Account
Features Fee FREE Everyday Account

Why we like it

An everyday current account. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. ‘Criteria Apply’. Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay, Google Pay™ and Contactless Visa Debit Card. Limits apply. Arranged overdraft available (subject to eligibility and lending criteria). No monthly fee. Defaqto 5* rated. Assumed arranged overdraft of £1,200, 39.49% variable p.a. representative 39.5% APR variable. Representative example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% (variable). Assumed credit limit:  £1,200 To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. The monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges for our standard adult current accounts is £18.80. What’s the cost of borrowing of £500: Zero days (you’ve not yet used your overdraft) - you’d pay in total £0.00.  One day - you’d pay in total £0.46. Five days - you’d pay in total £2.31. Seven days - you’d pay in total £3.24. Thirty days – you’d pay in total £13.87.

Details

Type of Account Everyday
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Nationwide
FlexPlus Current Account Nationwide
Open With £1
Account Type Current Account
Features Breakdown, Travel and Mobile Phone Insurance Included

Why we like it

Vehicle breakdown cover in the UK and the rest of Europe. Whether you re driving or a passenger in a vehicle, you're covered by the AA. With no excess to pay and unlimited callouts. Travel insurance for your family, worldwide for trips up to 31 days. Worldwide family travel insurance, including winter sports, travel disruptions and more from Aviva Insurance. Mobile phone insurance for the whole family. Your phone and those belonging to your partner and dependent children are covered for loss, theft, damage and faults by Assurant. Access to mobile banking secure app. Manage all your Nationwide accounts in one place. View and search your transactions Freeze and unfreeze your Visa Debit card. Report your card lost or stolen and order a new card. Access to other Nationwide products by becoming a member of Nationwide. Current account members get access to exclusive savings accounts. £18 monthly account fee. £50 interest-free on an arranged overdraft. 39.9% EAR overdraft charge on balances over £50

Details

Type of Account Reward
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Suits Me
Personal Account Suits Me
Open With £0
Account Type Current Account
Features Apply without a credit check or proof of address

Why we like it

An alternative banking solution, offering banking services to people who find it hard to open a regular bank account because of their low credit score. Open an account in 10 minutes without a credit check or proof of address. Get your contactless Mastercard® debit card in 3-5 working days. Choose from three account options: ‘Essential’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Premium Plus'. You can manage your account on the go using the online banking app. Make transfer payments from your e-money account whenever, wherever. You can also set up and manage your Direct Debits and Standing Orders. Get access to exclusive partner deals. Shop and earn with your Suits Me card in-store, online or over the phone you can earn cashback rewards, with no limit. Access to a dedicated Customer Account Manager so you have someone who understands your account and your needs. Your money is protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS. Monthly account fee ranges from free to £9.97 depending on account chosen. Refer your friends to apply and use their Suits Me card, and earn £50 per friend. No limit on the number of friends you refer

Details

Type of Account Adverse Credit
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Santander
123 Mini Current Account Santander
Open With £0
Account Type Childrens Current Account
Features Children 17 or under 3% AER Interest (T&Cs)

Why we like it

Children's current account. Can be opened by or on behalf of any child up to the age of 17. 1% interest on the entire balance once the balance up to £999.99. 2.00% AER/1.98% gross (variable) on the entire balance once the balance is £1,000 to £1,499.99. 3.00% AER/2.96% gross (variable) on the entire balance once the balance is £1,500 to £2,000. Debit or cash card available for those aged between 13 and 17. Monthly interest. No monthly fee. For children under age 13, the account must be opened in trust and managed by an adult (trustee) T&C's apply. If you’re aged between 13 and 17 years old and live permanently in the UK you can apply online by telephone or in branch. No overdraft facility

Details

Type of Account Child
Minimum Age 13
UK Resident Yes
Santander
Edge Student Current Account Santander
Funding required (each academic term) £500
Account Type Student Bank Account
Features Free 4-year Railcard worth £100

Why we like it

A free 4-year Santander 16-25 Railcard worth £100 plus a total average saving of £768 (average saving of £192 per year). An interest-free and fee-free Arranged Overdraft, up to £1,500 in years 1-3, then up to £2,000 if you stay on to year 5 (Subject to status). Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised to you when you use Santander Boosts (you must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). No monthly account fee. Must be over 18 and live in the UK permanently Must be studying or are about to begin an undergraduate course that is at least 2 years in length, or level 4 to 7 apprenticeship. If you’re about to begin your course, you must have an ‘unconditional’ or ‘confirmed conditional’ offer (i.e. you have your exam results) before you apply. You must pay in at least £500 every 4 months and must not already have an existing Santander current account. If you do, you’ll need to transfer it

Details

Type of Account Student
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
Emma
Money Management App Emma
Monthly Fee £0
Account Type Money Management App
Features Take back ‍control of your money: Track all your accounts in one place and budget in the 21st century

Why we like it

All in One Money Management App for Banking, Budgeting, Saving, Borrowing, Investing and more. Track all your bank accounts in one place: Connect more than 30+ banks in the UK to see where your money goes. Start saving with Emma Pots: Earn up to 3.98% AER when opening an Easy Access Pot (FSCS protected). Get cashback at more than 500+ retailers across the UK. Pay anyone instantly: Send and request money by sending payment links or QR codes. Move money across multiple banks, split a purchase, or top up your investment account in seconds. Invest in over 1,000 US stocks (low minimum investment £1), Capital at risk. Personal loan available: Emma Borrow can help you improve your credit history or find credit from a panel of over 60 lenders. Credit cards comparison service: Find the best credit card deals without affecting your credit score. Get a standard Emma Plan for free: Join 1.6 million people working towards a better financial life. Other plans available with enhanced features with extra associated costs

Details

Type of Account Money Management
Minimum Age 18
UK Resident Yes
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Nationwide current account review

Nationwide have a number of different current accounts aimed at different types of customers, designed to help you manage your everyday banking whatever your needs.

What to look for when switching current accounts

To ensure you get a current account that is well matched to your everyday banking needs, make sure to consider how important each of the following factors is to you:

Interest rates – You will generally be offered different interest rates on your savings and overdraft (if you need one) so which of these is most important to you will tend to rely on how you normally use your account.  If you are more of a saver, the rate you earn on your credit will be more important; whereas if you are more of a spender, your overdraft rate will be more significant.

Switching incentives – Several of the top current accounts across the market offer switching incentives to help entice you into transferring your banking to them. These often include cash upfront as well as introductory interest rates and other bonuses.

Compare current accounts

When choosing a new current account, make sure to spend some time researching the various options and what they offer before making a final decision. The more research you can do, the more chance there is of you ending up with an account that fits your needs long term.

Take a look at the range of bank accounts presently on offer from all the leading providers across the market right now to see which offers the best deal for you.




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Simplysavingsaccounts.co.uk is a trading style of Fair Investment Company Ltd.

We've been comparing savings and current accounts for many years so you can trust you're in good hands.