Current account guides

Our guides give you the facts so you can make an informed choice when you compare current account providers and accounts.

Bad credit options

If you have a bad credit history it can be more difficult to find a current account provider, but there should still be banking options available.

Bad credit options

Business bank accounts

Find out more about business bank accounts and how they differ from personal current accounts.

Business bank accounts

Charity accounts

Find out more about getting the right current account for your charity's funds and some of the advantages of charity bank accounts.

Charity accounts

Children's bank accounts

Children's bank accounts mean that you don't have to wait until adulthood to manage your own finances and earn interest on your money.

Children's bank accounts

Guide to switching bank accounts

How to switch, the benefits of doing so, plus details of the Current Account Switch Guarantee.

Guide to switching bank accounts

Islamic banking and other religious bank accounts

Find out more about Islamic and other religious banking options which may help you base financial decisions on your ethics and beliefs.

Islamic banking and other religious bank accounts

Joint bank accounts

Sharing a joint account with family and/or friends can be convenient, but make sure you know the pros and cons of shared banking before pooling finances.

Joint bank accounts

Offshore banking

Find out more about the pros and cons of offshore current accounts and savings accounts and why they're not just for the super-rich.

Offshore banking

Opening your first bank account

If you’re opening your first bank account, what documents do you need and what should you consider?

Opening your first bank account

Setting up a joint account for shared household bills

A joint account for paying out rent and bills in a shared house can seem convenient, but the risks might outweigh the advantages. Find out more…

Setting up a joint account for shared household bills

Cancelling continuous payment authorities

A continuous payment authority (recurring payment) differs from direct debits and standing orders - know your cancellation rights on debit and credit cards.

Cancelling continuous payment authorities

Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS)

Find out when you might need to make a CHAPS payment, what it costs and how long it takes.

Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS)

Dormant bank accounts

Find out more about why inactive bank accounts become dormant, what you need to do to reclaim your money and what happens to unclaimed funds.

Dormant bank accounts

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Find out how the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) could protect your savings if a financial firm collapses, and when you might not be covered.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

How to find and choose a financial adviser

Do you need an independent financial adviser (IFA)? How do you find one? Could other financial guidance and advice serve your needs? Read more about the things to consider…

How to find and choose a financial adviser

Is ID theft protection worth it?

Find out more about ID theft protection, or identity theft insurance as it's also known, and whether you need it.

Is ID theft protection worth it?

Managing multiple current accounts

If you need multiple current accounts, either to manage your money or to maximise interest, there are some things you should be aware of...

Managing multiple current accounts

Net interest margins

Find out more about how banks make money from the difference between the interest they pay on deposits and the interest they receive on loans.

Net interest margins

The cheque clearing system

Find out what happens during the cheque clearing cycle and what the future may hold for cheque transactions.

The cheque clearing system