Switching your account to Santander
> How do I find the qualifying criteria for the £100, £200, £300 cashback switching offer?
> Why should I move my current account to Santander?
> How can you help me switch my current account to you?
> What is the Switcher process?
> How long does it take for the whole switching process to complete?
> When does the switch start?
> How will I know at what stage the switching process is?
> How do I transfer my salary/income to my new Santander account?
> If I need any help about my switch what can I do?
> What happens if I go into my overdraft during the switching process - will I get charged?
> Can I switch from a joint account to a single account with Santander?
> Can I use the free Account Transfer Service to switch my payments from an existing Santander current account?
Overdrafts
> What changes are being made to Santander overdraft fees?
> I am currently in financial difficulty and I am having trouble repaying my overdraft fees. What do I do?
> If I use both an Arranged Overdraft and Unarranged Overdraft in the same day, will you charge me both daily fees?
> Is there a limit on Overdraft fees?
> How do I know if a payment has not been paid?
> I do not want to allow payments from my account which would mean I use an Unarranged Overdraft. What options are available to me?
> How and when will you tell me what fees will be added to my account?
> How do I know when I am using an Arranged Overdraft or Unarranged Overdraft?
> How can I apply for an Arranged Overdraft or increase an existing Arranged Overdraft?
Servicing your account
> What services do we offer to help you manage your finances?
> How do I dispute a cash machine or Visa transaction?
> How do I order a new Debit Card PIN?
> How do I register for Online Banking?
> I've forgotten my security details...
> How do I order duplicate statements?
> How do I find my IBAN number?
> How do I close my account?
> What charges apply if I use a Santander Cash Machine in Spain?
> I have an Alliance & Leicester current account, where can I find all the important account information documents on the Santander website?
Other useful information
> What is the Zero Current Account?
> How do I open a current account with Santander?
> What does AER and EAR mean?
> How do I check the progress of a recent current account application?
> I have a question on the Santander Recommend a Friend scheme - who can I contact?
Switching your account to Santander
How do I find the qualifying criteria for the £100, £200, £300 cashback switching offer?
We also have a cashback checklist that you may find useful to keep track of what you need to do by when to ensure you qualify and receive your cashback payment - cashback checklist
Why should I move my current account to Santander?
We have a range of products to suit all your banking needs; including accounts that pay high interest on your balance and offer an Arranged Overdraft (depending on circumstances), accounts with added benefits for a monthly fee and we also have youth and Student accounts.
How can you help me switch my current account to you?
Using our free Account Transfer Service to switch your current account couldn't be easier. Our dedicated team takes care of everything. They make sure the whole experience is simple and straightforward for you.
We'll take care of the switch for you, keeping you informed throughout the process of transferring your direct debits, standing orders and bill payments to your new account, click here for more details.
What is the Switcher process?
Step 1 - Contact
We'll ask your old bank for a list of all your direct debits, standing orders and bill payments.
Step 2 - Transfer
We'll set up all your direct debits, standing orders and bill payments on your new account and ask the relevant companies to collect future payments from your new Santander account
Step 3 - Confirm
We'll send you a list of the companies that have not confirmed that they have updated their records and let you know what you need to do.
How long does it take for the whole switching process to complete?
The process usually takes up to 20 days.
When does the switch start?
You can choose to start your switch up to 60 days in the future and it's important to get this right as the companies should update their records around 10 days after the switch starts and start collecting the next payment from the new account. Direct debits, standing orders and bill payments can start coming out as soon as 5 days after the switch starts. We suggest that you choose a start date just after most of your payments have gone out for the month, or if your payments are evenly spread through the month just after the largest payments have been made.
How will I know at what stage the switching process is?
We keep you informed every step of the way by sending the following letters to you:
How do I transfer my salary/income to my new Santander account?
We can help you to transfer your salary/income to your new Santander account by providing a form for you to fill in and send to your employer or income provider.
If I need any help about my switch what can I do?
We will keep you informed throughout the process by writing to you (to confirm the switching process has started - detailing all of the direct debits, standing orders and bill payments which we will be switching to your new account, and then again to confirm when the process has completed). You can also contact our dedicated Account Transfer Team on 0845 609 0010 (Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm).
What happens if I go into my overdraft during the switching process - will I get charged?
In the unlikely event that you incur any bank charges as a result of an error with the switcher process, we'll refund you in full.
Can I switch from a joint account to a single account with Santander?
No. We can not switch your current account if you have a joint account with your old bank and your new Santander account is a single account
Can I use the free Account Transfer Service to switch my payments from an existing Santander current account?
We only offer our free Account Transfer Service to switch a current account from another bank. However, if you are transferring to our Zero, Reward or Premium current account your payments will be automatically transferred.
Overdrafts
What changes are being made to Santander overdraft fees?
We are making some important changes to our overdraft services and fees from 16 March 2012.
For more information, please click here.
I am currently in financial difficulty and I am having trouble repaying my overdraft fees. What do I do?
We have designed our overdrafts to offer a straightforward and simple service. The changes to our overdraft fees also mean there is a limit to the number of days we will charge you in a month. However, if you find that your financial situation means you are having difficulty paying your overdraft fees, it is important to contact us. If you want to discuss your situation further, please call us on 0845 603 9035.
If I use both an Arranged Overdraft and Unarranged Overdraft in the same day, will you charge me both daily fees?
No. We will only charge you one fee. The fee will depend on whether your account is in an Arranged Overdraft or Unarranged Overdraft position during the course of the day.
Is there a limit on Overdraft fees?
Daily Arranged Overdraft Fees and Daily Unarranged Overdraft Fees both have monthly caps on the number of fees which will be taken from your account. These caps will vary depending on the type of account you hold. We also limit the value of Unarranged Overdraft Fees (Daily Fees and Paid and Unpaid Fees) which we can take in a single monthly statement period. This limit is set to £150.
How do I know if a payment has not been paid?
If you do not have enough money in your account to cover a payment which is presented and this is returned unpaid, we will write to you, as we do now.
I do not want to allow payments from my account which would mean I use an Unarranged Overdraft. What options are available to me?
If you do not want to use an Unarranged Overdraft, you may find that we have a different current account which suits you better.
For more information about our range of current accounts and their features, please click here or visit your local branch.
How and when will you tell me what fees will be added to my account?
You will continue to receive your statement as normal and we will continue to tell you about fees in your monthly account statement. We will take fees from your account no earlier than 22 days after the last day of the period which the statement covers.
How do I know when I am using an Arranged Overdraft or Unarranged Overdraft?
It is always a good idea to regularly check your account balance and keep a record of any payments made and expected from your account. If you have an Arranged Overdraft, your limit is shown on your monthly statement.
You can review your account online using online banking, over the phone using telephone banking or by using a Santander cash machine.
How can I apply for an Arranged Overdraft or increase an existing Arranged Overdraft?
You can apply for an Arranged Overdraft, or ask to increase an existing Arranged Overdraft, using online banking, by calling us on 08459 724 724* or by visiting your local branch and speaking to an adviser. Whether we agree to your request will depend on your circumstances and extra checks that we will need to carry out.
Servicing your account
What services do we offer to help you manage your finances?
As part of our continued commitment to provide the best current account products and services in the market, we offer a range of services for our customers - read more
How do I dispute a cash machine or Visa transaction?
If you'd like us to investigate a Visa or cash machine transaction, contact us on 08459 724 724*. We're available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm:
Alternatively, visit your local branch.
How do I order a new Debit Card PIN?
You can request a new PIN in three ways:
Online
If you are registered for Online Banking you can easily request a new PIN.
| Click here to Log On! |
By Telephone
To order a new Debit Card PIN, please call us on 08459 724 724* (international number 00 44 1908 237 963). We're available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm
In Branch
Simply go to any of our branches and one of our advisers will be able to help you request your new PIN.
Important!
Once you receive this PIN in the post it is important that you 'unlock' it before you try to use it. You will find this under the 'PIN services' menu at any Santander cash machine. If you prefer, you can also change it to one that is easier to remember.
How do I register for Online Banking?
You need only register below, if you have not previously used or had access to Online Banking before.
Online
Click the link below and simply fill in the form and once processed you should receive your Registration number and Passcode to your registered address within 10 working days.
| Register Now |
By Telephone
Please call us on 08459 724 724* (international number 00 44 1908 237 963 ). We're available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm
I've forgotten my security details...
To reset your Passcode or Registration number, please call: 08459 724 724*. We're available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm.
How do I order duplicate statements?
You can order duplicate statements for a Santander current account either online, via our online banking service, or by calling us on 08459 724 724 *. We're available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm.
Or you can write to us at:
Santander
PO Box 1109
Bradford
BD1 5ZJ
Please note, if the details you require include transactions that are more than 14 months old, or relate to anything above the last 200 transactions, then give us a call first. If the transaction details have been archived, we'll need to order them separately, and there's a charge of £10. You can choose to pay the fee by sending us a cheque or giving us permission to debit your current account.
How do I find my IBAN number?
There are a number of ways you can obtain your IBAN number:
In Online Banking: Log on to Online Banking, choose the 'Account Services' tab at the top of the page and select 'Account requests' from the left hand menu. Then click 'View details (BIC & IBAN).
On your Paper Statement: It is printed on the first page of your monthly statement under 'your account summary',
By Telephone: Call us on 0845 972 4724 (00 44 1908 237963). We're available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm
How do I close my account?
Please visit your local branch and hand in all cheque books and cards held on the account. If this isn't possible, please write to us at:
Santander
PO Box 297
BRADFORD
BD1 1BR
You'll need to enclose the following:
If you have any Direct Debit mandates (used to pay bills) arranged on the account, you must give written authority for us to cancel them and make alternative arrangements for future payments, with the companies they are payable to.
Please allow 14 days for the closure to take effect.
What charges apply if I use a Santander Cash Machine in Spain?
All main adult current accounts (those which are credited with at least £1,000 per month) could benefit from free cash machine withdrawals in Spain. Simply use your Santander Debit Card in a Santander branded cash machine in Spain to receive the withdrawal fee free. This means: No Cash Handling Fee AND No Foreign Exchange Fee will be charged.
We will not charge you for using a cash machine abroad but the cash machine operator may make a charge. If you're given the option of paying in local currency or sterling, please make sure you choose the local option. If you choose sterling, it means that the retailer or bank will handle the conversion and may charge you a conversion fee or a foreign usage fee (or both).
I have an Alliance & Leicester current account, where can I find all the important account information documents on the Santander website?
You will find the following PDF's by clicking here:
How can I opt-out of paper statements?
If you are registered for Online Banking you can opt to Switch off Paper Statements.
Simply Log on to Online Banking, choose the 'Account Services' tab and select 'e-Documents' from the left hand menu and follow the steps.
You can view your statements in 'e-Documents' and for peace of mind, if you find that you want to switch back, it's easy to do online too.
Note: This is only currently available for statements. Some letters will still need to be sent in paper form, but we will gradually be moving towards offering a fully paperless service for our customers to choose this option.
Other useful information
What is the Zero Current Account?
Our unique Zero Current Account is available to Santander mortgage, savings and investment customers. It is the only current account on the market to offer features such as no fees if you exceed your overdraft and no fees from us when you use cash machines or your debit card anywhere in the world. It also pays you a high credit interest rate for the first 12 months and if you switch to us you will get a 0% EAR (fixed) overdraft for the first 4 months, then it changes to a competitive 12.9% EAR (variable).
How do I open a current account with Santander?
You can open your account online, by phoning 0800 707 6692 or visiting your local branch. Use our online branch locator to find the best branch for you.
What does AER and EAR mean?
AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and shows what the interest would be if we paid interest and added it each year. The gross rate is the rate paid before income tax is taken. Rates may change and we pay interest each month.
EAR stands for Effective Annual Rate and represents the yearly cost of an overdraft, which takes into account how often interest is charged to the account and does not include any other fees or charges.
I have a question regarding the Santander Recommend a Friend scheme - who can I contact?
This offer is currently not available, but if you previously recommended a friend to switch to Santander through our online referral process and have a query relating to this please refer to the Recommend a Friend frequently asked questions
Details correct as at 08 November 2011
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