Thousands of Brits switch to Nationwide, Barclays and NatWest – which banks are least popular?

Not all banks offer the same customer service or benefits, so it’s no wonder millions of Brits switch their current accounts in search of something better.

That could include a bank switching offer with a lucrative cash bonus, access to a bank branch, higher interest rates, or spending benefits.

The latest Current Account Switch Service (CASS) data shows that over a million people have switched their bank so far in 2026, while more than 13 million switches have taken place since the service launched in 2013.

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Which were the most popular banks in Q2 2026?

Nationwide again proved to be the most popular banking company that customers switched to between April and June. The building society amassed the highest net switching gains (23,636).

It was followed by Barclays in second place (21,169), and NatWest in third (20,287).

We’ve compiled a list of the top banks and building societies in terms of net gains in a table below.

Customer data from the Current Account Switch Service is published three months in arrears, which is why the data here is from April to June, and not July to September.

Source: Current Account Switch Service. Data shows the number of full account switches completed between 1 April and 30 June 2026

Three of the most popular banks and building societies — Nationwide, Barclays and NatWest — had cash bonuses for customers switching their accounts during this period.

On top of the switching deal, Nationwide’s lucrative year-round offers, such as the £100 Fairer Share bonus, which it has offered for three consecutive years now, the Thank You bonus, and member-only savings products, may have proved attractive to a large number of customers.

Which were the least popular banks in 2026?

While a few banks gained new customers, a lot more lost out.

Halifax saw the biggest losses (-20,728), as 22,851 switches were made from the high street bank, while it gained 2,123 new customer accounts.

In second place is TSB Bank with a net loss of -17,008, while Santander had a net loss of -14,124.

It’s worth noting that Halifax and TSB will become part of Lloyds and TSB, respectively.

In the table below, we list the banks that suffered the highest net losses between April and June.

Source: Current Account Switch Service. Data shows the number of full account switches completed between 1 April and 30 June 2026

Access to online or mobile banking was the most frequently cited reason for choosing a new account, mentioned by 43% of respondents. This was followed by better customer service (34%), attractive interest rates (31%), spending benefits (27%) and account fees or charges (24%).

Should you switch your bank account?

Switching has now become easier than ever before. According to the Current Account Switching Service data, 91% of customers in the last three years were happy with the switching process.

If you use CASS, it takes seven days for the switch to complete. It makes sure that your direct debits, standing orders, and any new payments to your old account are transferred automatically, even after you’ve switched.

However, that doesn’t always mean that moving your money to another account will be the best option for you. It’s always best to consider the long-term value of a current account, like whether you’re getting better customer service, how much you’ll incur in fees or charges, and if you have access to physical branches.

Depending on the type of account you hold, your bank may already be offering better savings rates, travel perks, or spending benefits. So if you’re switching for the cash incentive alone, it might not be worth it in the long run.