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Dedicated switching team
Switching your current account to RBS is easy and free of charge
Our specialist switching team are dedicated to making your switch as simple and smooth as possible. They will keep you informed of the progress of your switch and will be at hand to answer any questions that you may have.
- Choose a bank account that is right for you and click on 'Apply now'
- Within the online application select ‘yes’ to the question
Are you transferring an existing account from another financial institution?
Have your old bank statement to hand to help you answer questions relating to your old account - Sign and return the new account paperwork. If your application is successful you will receive a letter confirming your new account is open together with the new account switcher forms
- Sign the new account switcher forms and send them back in the envelope provided
- Our dedicated switching team will do all the hard work for you and keep you up to date with progress
Account Switching is also available to applications opened in branch or by the telephone. Simply tell the Customer Advisor that you wish to use the New Account Switching Service when opening your account.
Our specialist switching team will:
- Let you know when we have received your application
- Provide you with letters to send to those people or organisations that pay money into your account
- Contact your other bank for a list of your direct debits and standing orders
- Advise your direct debit companies of your new account details and ask them to amend their records
- Set up standing orders on your new account
- Ask your other bank to cancel your payments
- Ask your other bank to close your account and transfer the balance to your new account (if requested)
- Send or hand the letters we give you to your employer, pension provider or any other organisations that make regular payments into your account
- Return all cheque books and debit cards to your old bank
We rely on your existing bank and direct debit originators to comply with our instructions, therefore we recommend that you ensure your old account has been closed and that you check your statements carefully to make sure everything is proceeding as planned.
We’ll do everything we can to make the process go as smoothly as possible. It’s very unlikely that you will incur bank charges as a result of an error or unnecessary delay on our part. However, if this happens we’ll refund these charges in full.
When we receive your application we will send you details of a telephone line direct to our dedicated switching team who will answer any questions you have on your switch.
Matching your existing deal
Did you know we could look to match the overdraft you have with your existing bank?
Simply go to your local branch to open your new account taking your last month’s bank statement from your existing account and something that shows your overdraft limit (a letter, online banking print-out or cash machine receipt will do) where they will look to match your existing deal.
Please note, not all accounts offer overdraft facilities – your local branch will be happy to discuss which account is suitable for you
Credit facilities: over 18s only
Facility matching is subject to a limit of £4,000 for personal accounts and £10,000 for private accounts
Please note, facility matching is subject to normal credit scoring assessments which the Customer Advisor in your local branch will be happy to explain to you
If you hold a Royalties, Royalties Gold, or Current Account and intend to use the Royal Bank switching service, the interest free period on any agreed overdraft will commence when we process your transfer of account instructions and will end three months after the account is opened.
The overdraft confirmation information we will issue to you after we have agreed to provide the overdraft will contain a Total Cost of Credit amount. Under the Consumer Credit Act we are required to provide you with details of the cost of credit covering a period of three months based on the whole overdraft facility being drawn in full over that period.
When we calculate the Total Cost of Credit, we will use the interest rate that applies to the overdraft at the time the facility is agreed. Please note that where we have not yet processed your transfer of account instructions when the overdraft is agreed, the rate used in the calculation will be the rate that will apply when the interest free period ends. The Total Cost of Credit amount is illustrative only and the actual cost will depend on your use of the overdraft, which will include the interest free period you may enjoy.
Please note, not all accounts offer overdraft facilities – please refer to our current accounts section which will help you select an account that is right for you
Credit facilities: over 18s only
Provision of an overdraft is subject to normal credit scoring assessment.
Overdraft repayable on demand.
Switching your current account to RBS is easy and we do the majority of work on your behalf. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
| What we do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
|
You authorise us to switch your account by completing, signing and returning the switching application form that arrives with your account confirmation letter.
If you apply in branch a Customer Advisor will help you complete the application |
| What we do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
|
We acknowledge your request and provide you with details of a telephone line direct to our dedicated switching team and details of what to expect next.
We send you letters (credit redirection letters) bearing your new account details for you to send or hand to those people who pay money into your account, e.g. employer, pension provider, child benefit provider. We ask your existing bank for a list of your Standing Orders and Direct Debits. | Forward the credit redirection letters to those people paying money into your account. |
| What we do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
We receive a list of your regular payments and we will:
|
We rely on existing bank and Direct Debit originators to comply with our instructions regarding where to take the payments from.
We recommend that you ensure your old account has been closed (if requested) and check your statement carefully to make sure everything is proceeding as planned. |
| What we do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
|
We send you a letter to confirm that all actions have been undertaken by us
We will provide you with a date that your Standing Orders and Direct Debits will start taking effect from (providing Direct Debit companies have taken relevant action) | Start enjoying your new RBS account. |
Whether you are looking for simple everyday banking or an account with extras like travel insurance, we’ve got a range to choose from.
Once you’ve made your choice click on ‘Apply now’ and follow our easy steps for switching to us.
To open a new current account, you will need to provide us with original documentary proof of your identity and your address. We need to see one identification document and one address verification document.
Please note that you can't use the same item to confirm both your name and address.
How you can help
If you have an existing current account with another bank or building society, it may help to provide your most recent statement.
If you are applying for a Student Royalties account, please supply three months' full bank statements.
For a current account with a debit card or overdraft facility, you may also need to provide evidence of your income, for example, your most recent bank statement or three months' salary slips.
Don't have the right documents?
If you can't provide one item from each list, give us a call on 0800 408 6009 (Minicom 0800 404 6160) to find out if there are any other documents we may be able to accept to open your new account.
| Address Verification Table |
|---|
| Council Tax bill or payment book (within last 12 months) |
| Utility bill - within last 6 months (mobile phone bills and internet access bills are not acceptable) |
| Current full UK photo card driving licence |
| Current full UK driving licence (old style paper version) |
| Bank/building society/credit card statement (within last 6 months) |
| Original mortgage statement (no more than 12 months old) |
| Benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept. of Work and Pensions) and/or Job Centre Plus confirming the right to benefits at present. |
| Current local Council rent card or tenancy agreement (private tenancy agreements are not acceptable) |
| Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence |
| Solicitor's letter confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation |
| For Students Any item from the address verification list can be taken to confirm address. Alternatively, you can show us a: |
| University/college Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment offer |
| Student Loan Company/LEA/SASS Award letter |
| UCAS letter |
| Introduction from a recognised UK college or university |
| For 20 years and under |
| UK provisional photocard driving licence |
Why we need to see your ID
When you open a new account with us, we are required by law to ask you to prove who you are and where you live. This is to comply with money laundering regulations and to help stop criminals using financial products or services to move money around.
These security checks apply to both new and existing customers. As well as fulfilling our legal responsibility, we aim to help combat financial crime and protect you from criminals who might otherwise falsely use your name, without your knowledge.
