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Our Select account

Open our everyday bank account

Get our £200 offer when you switch to Royal Bank

Apply online or via our mobile app to switch a current account held elsewhere using the Current Account Switch Service into a Royal Bank account from 15 February 2024.

Deposit £1,250 into your account and log in to our mobile banking app within 60 days. App eligibility criteria apply. 

When you meet these conditions, we'll pay £200 into your eligible account within 7 days

Your switch must fully complete to receive the incentive, this means your old bank account will close and any funds and Direct Debits will move over to us. The deposit of £1,250 can be made up of multiple credits and must remain in the account for 24 hours. If you've previously received a switcher incentive from NatWest Group since 01 January 2020, you will not be eligible for this offer. Offer can be withdrawn or amended at any time. 

Switch offer T&Cs apply (PDF, 166KB)

A Guide to Switching Current Accounts (PDF, 3MB)

How does the Current Account Switch Service work?

What happens when you switch?

Step 1

We'll send a request to your old bank to confirm the switch and we'll keep you updated every step of the way.

Step 2

Your old account will be closed on your behalf. Your balance and payments (like Direct Debits) will be moved to your Royal Bank account. 

Step 3

The switch is complete. Once you've met our switch offer eligibility criteria, you'll get £200 within 7 days. 

Why choose our basic bank account?

This bank account is free of a monthly fee.

Manage your account whenever and wherever you need to with our easy-to-use mobile banking app.

Pay however you like with Apple Pay, Google Pay™ or Contactless Debit Card. Limits apply.

Arranged overdrafts are available too. Subject to eligibility. For more information, see our Overdraft details section below. 

A simple bank account that gives you more

Our basic bank account is free from a monthly fee and can be opened online. The Select account, and all of our bank accounts, come with some little extras which can help you save, budget and take stock of your finances.

Mobile banking screen showing budgeting activity

Budget better, spend less

Spending will put your transactions in to categories, giving you a detailed view of where your money is going.

Available to customers aged 16+ who hold a Personal or Premier current account.

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Mobile banking screen for viewing Credit Score

Know your score

With our mobile app you can keep up to date with your credit score for free.

Available to customers aged 16+ who hold a Personal or Premier current account.

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Mobile banking screen for Open Banking

View your accounts with other banks

View balances and transactions on selected accounts with participating UK banks. All your money on one screen.

You need to be registered for online banking with your other banks.

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Overdraft details

How do overdrafts work?

An arranged overdraft can be useful for short term borrowing. Understand arranged and unarranged overdrafts and their impact on your account. An overdraft is a form of borrowing and is repayable on demand.

How much will an overdraft cost?

Understand the cost and impact of overdrafts and whether you're eligible to apply for one. If you don't repay what is owed, you could harm your credit score and borrowing capability.

How to open a bank account online

Apply online

During the application we'll ask for information about you such as your address, job etc. So have these ready.

Provide your ID

You'll need to provide proof of your ID and address. You might be able to do this online, look out for an email from us.

Check your details

We'll check we have everything we need to open your account. Look out for your new debit card in the post.

Your account is open

Start using your new account. Log in to Digital banking and download our mobile app to bank on the go.

Everyday current account – Frequently asked questions

Get ready to apply

Before you apply, we need to check you're happy with a few things. And ask you a few questions up front. Then we can make your application as quick and simple as it can be.

First things first. You can apply if you:

  • are aged 18 or over and a UK resident

Now please take a look at the important legal info

How your information might be used

It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read this short summary before you continue with your application.

As part of the checks that we will complete to verify your identity, we’ll take an image of your face so that it can be compared with your photo ID and this biometric data is captured.

 

All okay? Apply for a bank account online today.

To speed up your application for our Select account, we need to do a few final checks with you. They'll only take a minute.

What would you like to do today?
Do we already know you?
If you have a current account, credit card, loan or savings account with the Royal Bank of Scotland please let us know.
Do you have any of the following forms of photo ID?

or

You're all set

Your application will be completely online, and you won't need to post us any information or visit a branch. 

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself and we'll set up your account.
  2. Our partner HooYu will then check your identity by matching you to your Photo ID. Your Photo ID must be a Passport, UK or EU/EEA Driving Licence or an EU/EEA National ID card. We might also ask for a valid proof of address. You'll need a device with a camera to upload these. If you don't have your ID to hand you can finish this step later.
  3. Once they've confirmed your identity we'll activate your account.

Please note, a partial switch does not qualify for any switch incentives we may offer. 

We’re sorry, you can’t complete your application online. Would you like to proceed with our exceptions process?
If you don’t have the right photographic ID, we may be able to help you by using our exceptions process. This process involves extra steps for you to complete, including potentially visiting a branch. This means you'll have to wait longer to get your account open. Are you happy to proceed?

Please call the below number to proceed with your application

You will still need ID to be able to open an account with us. 

For more information on all forms of ID we accept, see here (opens in a new tab).

 

Return to current accounts.

Do you have any of the following forms of photo ID?

or

You're all set

Your application will be completely online, and you won't need to post us any information or visit a branch. 

  1. Tell us a bit about yourself and we'll set up your account.
  2. Our partner HooYu will then check your identity by matching you to your Photo ID. Your Photo ID must be a Passport, UK or EU/EEA Driving Licence or an EU/EEA National ID card. We might also ask for a valid proof of address. If you don't have your ID to hand you can finish this step later.
  3. Once they've confirmed your identity we'll activate your account.

Please note, a partial switch does not qualify for any switch incentives we may offer. 

Please call the below number to proceed with your application

You will still need ID to be able to open an account with us. 

For more information on all forms of ID we accept, see here (opens in a new tab).

 

Return to current accounts.

Do you have our app on a mobile device, that you can access now?
If you're registered for our app on one of your devices, we can pre-fill some of your info, making the application process faster.

Great, let's get started

Just a heads up, you'll be asked to log into our app to start your current account application.

Using a desktop? Simply scan the QR code with your mobile device that has the Royal Bank app and we'll get you started.  

If you're already using a device with the Royal Bank app, select the 'Start application' button below.

Can't scan the QR code?

Do you have Royal Bank Digital Banking?

Log in to Royal Bank Digital Banking

  1. Enter your customer number or 16-digit card number to get started. 
  2. You'll then need to enter your Digital Banking pin and password.
  3. Once you're logged in, select 'Current accounts' from the product list. 
  4. Finally, choose the account you want to apply for and complete your application.

Let’s get you signed up for Digital Banking

You’ll need to sign up for Digital Banking with us in order to apply for a Select account. The good news is that it normally takes only 5 minutes and all you’ll need is your sort code, account number and your Royal Bank Debit Card, if you have one.

Once you’ve registered, select ‘Next’ to log in and apply for a Select account. 

Log in to Royal Bank Digital Banking

  1. Enter your customer number or 16-digit card number to get started. 
  2. You'll then need to enter your Digital Banking pin and password.
  3. Once you're logged in, select 'Current accounts' from the product list. 
  4. Finally, choose the account you want to apply for and complete your application.

Here's what to do next

We’ve made a few changes to how we open joint bank accounts.

The button below takes you to a dedicated page explaining exactly what you need to open your account.

As a summary:

  1. You create a joint account by adding the second applicant to an existing account
  2. You can either add the second applicant to an existing account, or if you’d like a completely new account, one of you can open a new account and then add the second applicant once it’s open. 

You're all set

During the application, you'll need the account number and sort code of the account you want to change. You can find these in your app/Digital Banking.

As you’re changing your existing account to another, you’ll:

  • Keep your existing sort code, account number and debit card. Your existing standing orders and direct debits will stay the same. 
  • Retain your arranged overdraft limit.
  • See no impact to your credit rating.

If you're a non-UK resident, once your account has changed to a Select account you'll be unable to upgrade to any Reward accounts.

Get started on your switch

You’ll need these bits of info handy for your application:

  • The account number, sort code and debit card number of the bank account you want to switch to Royal Bank
  • The account number and sort code of your existing Royal Bank current account

The Current Account Switch Service will move everything across from your old bank account to your Royal Bank current account within 7 working days.

Please note, a partial switch does not qualify for any switch incentives we may offer. 

Ways to take control of your money

Get a financial health check

Review your finances with our free financial health check. Fill in a few details and get useful hints and tips.

Learn how to manage your money

It can be tricky to know where to begin when it comes to saving money. But our quick guide can help point you in the right direction.

Get better at budgeting

Setting yourself budgets is a brilliant way to get your spending under control. In a few simple steps you could be saving money in no time.