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Bank switching services have been coming in waves this year, with some banks paying up to £205 for moving your everyday banking to them.
If you are looking to switch your current account, then this is a great way to bag some ‘free’ cash - though you will often have to close your existing current account and use the bank switching service to get the bonus.
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This week, high street giant Barclays has jumped in on the act, hoping to draw new customers in with a £175 switch bonus when they move their current account to Barclays. The account also gives you access to one of the best savings rates on easy access savings.
The incentive follows Barclays results last week, which revealed UK deposits in current accounts at the bank dropped 6%. But can the bank bring in new customers with its new switching bonus alongside a generous 5.12% savings rate for easy access?
How to get the £175 Barclays bonus
To get the bonus, you will have to close your existing current account and switch to Barclays using the Current Account Switch Service. The service is free and promises to shift your direct debits and other payments for you within 7 days.
To qualify for the cash bonus, you must:
- Open an account via the Barclays app (open a new account or join Premier Banking)
- Bring across at least two direct debits
- Join the Blue Rewards Scheme - you must deposit at least £800 a month to qualify for this
- Sign up to online/mobile banking at £5 a month - but you get this back via cashback if you have a minimum of two direct debits
- The account you open must be an individual one, not a joint one
- You must start the switch by 30 November and complete it within 30 days
- You must not have any other Barclays accounts, or have ever held one. If you are switching to the Premier Account, you need to pay in an annual income of at least £75,000 or have at least £100,000 in savings or investments with Barclays.
The switch bonus will be paid within 28 days as long as you meet the criteria.
How can I earn 5.12% on my cash savings?
The 5.12% AER savings rate is for an easy access account and you only get it via the Blue Rewards Scheme, available to current account holders.
But, the rate is only available on balances of up to £5,000 - anything more and you'll simply earn 1.15%.
How does the rate compare to other savings?
The rate is not far behind the next best rate for easy access, which is via Natwest owned Ulster Bank, paying 5.2% interest.
You can also earn up to 15% cashback with Barclays Blue Rewards with some retailers when you link your debit card.
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