Major bank offers new customers £150 free cash – how to get it before Christmas

A MAJOR high street bank is offering new and existing customers an incentive of £150 in free cash – and you could get it before Christmas.

The deal applies to both new and existing customers of Santander when they switch to an eligible current account.

Banks often offer incentives to attract new customers, usually in the form of a cash bonus.

All you need to do to get it is switch your current account using something known as the Current Account Switching Service (CASS).

There are also some requirements, like setting up a certain number of direct debits, or paying in a set amount of money, though this will depend on each offer and varies from one bank to the next.

The Santander offer is open to those using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

You have to switch to either a Santander Edge, Santander Edge Up, Everyday, or Private (v2) current account to get the free money.

To qualify you do need to fulfil the criteria as well.

You must submit a switch request on or after November 4, and before the switcher offer is withdrawn.

The full switch needs to be completed within 60 days, including closing their previous account.

You also need to pay in at least £1,500 to their eligible Santander account within 60 days of the switch request.

This can be made through one or more payments.

At least two active Direct Debits need to be set up on the new account within 60 days of the switch request.

Those eligible for the payment will get paid within 90 days of starting the switch process.

Both new and existing customers can switch either online via the Santander website or pop into their local branch to take advantage of the offer.

Andrea Melville, director of current accounts, savings and business banking at Santander, said: “We’re excited to roll out our latest switching incentive, giving customers a quick boost to their finances and yet another reason to bank with us.

“Our £150 offer rewards both new and existing customers for making the switch, while our current accounts continue to deliver cashback and competitive rates on savings.”

You won’t qualify for the switcher offer if:

• You are not a UK resident.
• You switch from an account held with Santander, cahoot, or Cater Allen.
• You are switching to any Santander account that isn’t listed above.
• Anyone named on the Santander account has previously received a switch incentive from Santander since September 2021.

Santander though isn't the only bank to offer a cash incentive to attract customers.

And five major banks, including Nationwide and Lloyds, have launched new schemes to allow customers to pocket free cash when they move current accounts.

All you need to do to get it is switch your current account using something known as the CASS.

There are also some requirements, like setting up a certain number of direct debits, or paying in a set amount of money, though this will depend on each offer and varies from one bank to the next.

Lloyds revealed that current account holders who switch to its Club Lloyds account can receive a whopping £200, the largest bonus on offer right now.

Nationwide Building Society is offering customers £175 to switch to its FlexDirect, FlexPlus or FlexAccount current accounts.

Switching bank accounts has never been easier thanks to the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), which will move you within seven days and handle most of it for you (see more on how it works below).

Make sure to check all the terms of the switch and full eligibility criteria so you don't miss out on the bonus.

Plus you'll want to check that the account suits your needs too, for example, if you need an overdraft that it offers one, or that the bank has a nearby branch if you prefer to do your banking in person.

Here is the full list of banks offering the best switch offers.

Lloyds

Lloyds has confirmed that customers who switch to its Club Lloyds account can get £200.

Both new and existing customers can take advantage of the free cash offer available for those who switch between October 2 and December 10.

Those who switch to the Club Lloyds account can expect the £200 to be paid within three days of the switch completion.

Though this is the highest bonus being paid now, be aware that the account comes with a £3 a month fee unless you pay £2,000 a month.

To make the switch, customers can either scan the QR code available on the bank's website or use the mobile app.

New customers can get the bonus, and so can existing Lloyds customers if they don't already have a Club Lloyds account and open a new one.

Those who already received a switch bonus since April 2020 from Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland (all part of the same group) won't be eligible.

The Club Lloyds also offers a range of perks, including a 12-month Disney+ subscription, a choice of Vue or Odeon cinema tickets, a magazine subscription, or a Coffee Club and Gourmet Society membership.

But remember you pay a fee for the extras, so work out if it's worth paying the fee to get these.

Here are the details and costs of the Lloyds' account.

• £3 monthly fee, waived each month that you pay £2,000 or more.
• Earn credit interest on balances up to £5,000,  when you pay out two different direct debits each month.
• Choose a yearly benefit from: 12 months of Disney+, six x cinema tickets at ODEON or Vue cinemas, An annual Coffee Club and Gourmet Society membership, An annual magazine subscription.

The same bonus is also available when switching to the Club Lloyds Platinum Account and Club Lloyds Silver Account but these comes with a £22.50 and £11.50 a month fee, respectively, on top of the £3.

Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide Building Society has launched a new offer of £175 to switch to its FlexDirect, FlexPlus or FlexAccount current accounts.

To get the free money, you must switch through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

It’s worth noting that the FlexPlus account does charge a monthly fee in return for benefits such as insurance and breakdown cover.

Currently, it's £13 but that will increase to £18 per month from December.

Once again it's worth checking that these are worth paying for.

You'll need to have at least two direct debits coming out of the account and pay in at least £1,000 within 31 days of making the switch.

You'll also need to pay for something with your debit card, but there are some transactions like gambling that won't count.

First Direct

First Direct has confirmed that it has relaunched its popular cash switch incentive for anyone who opens a 1st Account.

Customers can receive a payment of up to £175 by using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Users have to switch at least two direct debits or standing orders within 30 days of opening the account to qualify for the cash.

Switchers also need to add at least £1,000 into the account, register and log on to internet banking and use the debit card at least five times within 30 days of opening the account.

Customers who meet the criteria should expect the free bonus in their accounts by the 20th of the following month.

The bank revealed that new customers switching to their current account to first direct can expect several extra perks, including a £250 interest-free overdraft.

You won't qualify for the switching incentive if you have previously held a First Direct product or opened an HSBC current account on or after January 1, 2018.

Customers moving across to the bank will also get access to a regular savings account paying 7% interest, one of the best deals around, as well as a 0% overdraft on the first £250.

Co-operative Bank

The Co-operative Bank has announced eligible customers could receive up to £150.

The first £75 is given when a customer completes a switch to the bank.

Then, the bank is offering three monthly instalments of £25 - another £75 - to make up the £150.

Both new and existing customers can apply to switch to a current account to make themselves eligible for the payment.

Like any good offer, there are a few boxes to tick off before the big payment comes in.

Customers must apply for a Standard Current Account or Everyday Extra account.

To be eligible, customers must not have benefited from a switch incentive at The Co-operative Bank since November 1, 2022.

And to receive the first £75, customers need to follow a series of rules.

They are:

• Deposit a minimum of £1,000 into their new account (this includes balances transferred as part of the switch).
• Have 2 active Direct Debits.
• Make a minimum of 10 debit card or digital wallet transactions (pending payments will not count toward the fulfilment of this criteria).
• Register for our online and/or mobile banking service.
• Set up the debit card in a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet or Google Pay).

That leaves the three £25 instalments - and there are some rules to claim them too.

Bankers need to deposit at least £1,000 into their account, have two direct debits and make a minimum of 10 debit card transactions.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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