Bank switching bonuses are one of the most straightforward ways to earn a meaningful amount of money quickly in the UK. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) does almost all of the work — your balance, Direct Debits, and standing orders move automatically within 7 working days. You meet a few conditions, and the bonus lands in your account within 30–90 days.
Right now, in April 2026, there are several live offers paying between £150 and £200. Some expire soon. Here's exactly what's available, what each bank requires, and the critical things to check before applying.
The live offers — April 2026
How the offers compare at a glance
| Bank | Bonus | Min pay-in | DDs needed | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyds Club | £200 | None (fee applies) | 3 DDs | 30 Apr 2026 |
| Barclays | £200 | £2,000/30 days | 2 DDs | 28 May 2026 |
| Santander | £180 | £1,500/60 days | Check terms | Check website |
| First Direct | £175 | £1,000/45 days | 2 DDs + 5 card | Check website |
| NatWest | £150 | £1,250/60 days | 2 DDs via CASS | 28 May 2026 |
The key things to check before switching
The eligibility rules look simple but there are a few things that catch people out:
- New customer restrictions: Most offers define "new customer" as someone who hasn't held an account with that bank — sometimes going back years. Check carefully before applying
- Group restrictions: First Direct and HSBC share a banking licence — being an HSBC customer since 2018 disqualifies you from First Direct's offer. NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank are all the same group
- Direct Debit timing: Some offers require the DDs to be transferred via CASS from your old account — meaning they must already exist on the account before you switch, not be set up afterwards
- Pay-in requirements: The minimum deposit usually needs to stay in the account for at least 24 hours — it's not enough to put it in and immediately move it out
- Deadlines: Several April offers expire at the end of April or in May — don't miss them by waiting too long
"The Direct Debit requirement is often the critical bottleneck — you need them in place on the account before you switch, not after."
Can you claim multiple bonuses?
Yes — and many people do. You can switch to Barclays, claim £200, then switch to First Direct, claim £175, then switch to NatWest and claim £150. As long as you meet each bank's new-customer rules and haven't previously claimed their bonus, you can work through them systematically.
The key is maintaining 2 active Direct Debits throughout — because every time you switch, your DDs move with you via CASS. As long as they stay active on whichever account you're switching from, you keep qualifying. This is exactly why keeping permanent, non-subscription Direct Debits in place (like BeSwitchReady's Plan A and Plan B) is so useful for serial switchers.
The bottom line
Right now, in April 2026, there's between £150 and £200 available from five different banks. Several of the April offers expire at the end of this month, so if you're considering Lloyds specifically, act before 30 April.
Check your eligibility carefully — particularly the new-customer restrictions and Direct Debit requirements — and always confirm the current terms on the bank's own website before applying. The offers listed here are accurate as of publication but switching bonuses change frequently.