Key takeaways

  • The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) moves a business current account to a new bank in 7 working days, and the switch date cannot be a weekend or bank holiday.
  • A business can use CASS if it has fewer than 50 employees and annual turnover of £6.5 million or less; charities with income and trusts with net assets under £6.5 million also qualify.
  • Pay.UK says payments sent to your old account are redirected for a minimum of three years, or longer if needed.
  • CASS moves your balance, Direct Debits, standing orders and saved payees automatically, and the old bank closes the old account.
  • The Current Account Switch Guarantee says any charges or interest caused by an error in the switch will be refunded.
  • An overdraft does not move: you must agree a new one with the new bank or repay the old one before the switch.
  • Larger businesses that do not qualify for CASS can use the Payment Transfer Service, which has no redirection, guarantee or automatic account closure.

You switch a business bank account by opening an account with the new bank and asking it to use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). The switch takes 7 working days, moves your balance and regular payments, closes the old account and redirects stray payments for at least three years. It is free and covered by a guarantee.

Can your business use the Current Account Switch Service?

Most small businesses can. The CASS business FAQs say a business qualifies if annual turnover does not exceed £6.5 million and it employs fewer than 50 people.

Account holderSize limitOther test
Business (sole trader, partnership or company)Turnover £6.5m or lessFewer than 50 employees
CharityIncome under £6.5mNone stated
TrustNet assets under £6.5mNone stated

Both banks must take part. The CASS provider list shows 36 providers with business switching, including Allica Bank, Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds, Metro Bank, Monzo, NatWest, Santander, Starling, Tide (provided by ClearBank) and Virgin Money. When we checked on 6 November 2026, Revolut was listed for personal accounts only and Mettle was not listed.

What moves and what does not?

CASS moves most of your banking automatically. Pay.UK’s switching process page lists what transfers.

Moves automatically:

  • your closing balance
  • Direct Debits, including HMRC Direct Debits
  • standing orders, salaries and bill payments
  • saved payee details
  • incoming payments, which are redirected to the new account

Does not move:

  • an overdraft, which you must agree again with the new bank or repay
  • savings accounts and ISAs
  • new payments set up in the final 7 working days, which you must set up on the new account
  • app connections and third-party permissions, which you reconnect yourself

Recurring payments taken from your debit card are tied to the card, not the account details. The CASS pages do not say they move, so update them with each supplier.

How to switch, step by step

The whole process takes 7 working days from the switch date you agree.

  1. Check eligibility. Confirm your turnover, staff numbers and that both banks are in CASS.
  2. Choose the new account. Compare fees, cash deposit charges and software links. Our business bank account fees guide sets out the main charges.
  3. Open the new account. The new bank runs checks. Have your Companies House number, trading address, HMRC details, a recent business bill and ID for each director or partner ready. See how to open a business bank account.
  4. Make sure the details match. The business name and legal form on both accounts should be the same.
  5. Ask for a full switch. Sign the Current Account Closure Instruction and pick a switch date at least 7 working days away, on a working day.
  6. Sort out any overdraft. Agree a facility with the new bank or repay the old one.
  7. Keep using the old account until the switch date. Do not set up new payments on it in the last 7 working days.
  8. Reconnect your software. Set up the new bank feed in Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage. See bank accounts that link to accounting software.

You can cancel up to 7 working days before the switch date.

What does the switch guarantee cover?

The Current Account Switch Guarantee covers errors in the switch. Pay.UK says the switch will be free, all payments linked to the old account will move, and any charges or interest caused by a mistake will be refunded.

Pay.UK says payments to or from the old account are redirected for a minimum of three years, or longer if needed. Each redirected payment sends the payer an automatic message with your new details.

The guarantee and redirection apply only to a full switch. If you keep the old account open, you lose both.

What if your business is too big for CASS?

Larger businesses can use the Payment Transfer Service if both banks agree. Pay.UK says it does not move the balance, close the old account, redirect payments or carry the guarantee, and it has no fixed 7-day timetable. You choose which payment arrangements to move.

What to do after the switch

Redirection catches most payments, but update your details at source so you do not rely on it.

  • Change the bank details on your invoice template and website.
  • Tell regular customers and payment processors, such as card terminal and Stripe payouts.
  • Update payroll software so the BACS file comes from the new account.
  • Update the bank details HMRC holds for repayments.
  • Reconcile the final statement from the old account. Our guide to bank reconciliation shows how.
  • Check deposit protection. The FSCS limit is £120,000 per eligible person per firm from 1 December 2025.

Which applies to you?

  • If you have fewer than 50 staff and turnover of £6.5 million or less, use a full CASS switch.
  • If you want to keep the old account as a backup, open the new one alongside it, but you get no redirection or guarantee.
  • If you have an overdraft, agree the new facility before you set the switch date.
  • If you are a sole trader banking through a personal account, you are opening a business account, not switching one.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to switch a business bank account?

A full switch through the Current Account Switch Service takes 7 working days from the agreed switch date, which must be a working day.

Who can use the Current Account Switch Service for a business?

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees and turnover of £6.5 million or less, plus charities and trusts under £6.5 million.

Do Direct Debits move when I switch?

Yes. CASS moves Direct Debits, standing orders and saved payees to the new account automatically.

What happens to payments sent to my old account?

Pay.UK redirects them to your new account for a minimum of three years, or longer if needed.

Does my overdraft transfer to the new bank?

No. You must agree a new overdraft with the new bank or repay the existing one before the switch.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.