Personal Finance Bank accounts

How to transfer your bank account to Halifax?

Gert Svaiko

15.01.24 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

Thinking of opening a new UK bank account? It’s easier than ever to do, especially now that you can use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) to move from one bank to another.

In this handy guide, we’ll show you how to transfer your bank account to Halifax. The high street favourite has a few decent current accounts, one of which may have caught your eye. And the bank is signed up to CASS, so switching should be easy.

Before you get started though, make sure that the account is right for you. If you’re looking for a way to make international payments or spend overseas, an alternative such as the Wise account, from the money services provider Wise, could be better than using a bank.

How to transfer your bank account to Halifax?

The easiest way to transfer an account held elsewhere over to Halifax is to use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). It’s free to use, and aims to make switching banks easier and quicker.

You simply need to follow these steps:¹

Go to the Halifax website and choose the current account you’d like to open
Apply to open the account online
When prompted, select that you’d like to use the Current Account Switch Service to transfer your account over to Halifax
Carry on using your old account until the switch is complete. You may also be able to use your new Halifax account
All standing orders, direct debits, payments and salary payments will be transferred over
Wait for confirmation that your switch has been completed. You’ll get your new debit card, PIN and online banking logins through the post.

Should you close your bank account before switching banks?

If you use the Current Account Switch Service, there’s no need to close your old bank account before opening a new one with Halifax. The service will communicate with your old bank and arrange for the account to be closed during the switching process.

It’s also possible to apply for a partial transfer. This is where you choose the payments you’d like to switch over, and keep the old account open.

What happens to your old bank account when you switch?

Once the switch is complete, your old bank account will be closed by the Current Account Switch Service. Any balance on the account, along with scheduled payments, will be moved over to your new Halifax account.

If you need access to statements and transaction history for the old account, it’s recommended to download these before starting your switch.

How long does it take to switch bank accounts?

The Current Account Switch Service guarantees to complete your switch in 7 working days.¹ You can choose the most convenient date for your switch.

Is Halifax offering a current account switching bonus?

At the time of writing, Halifax isn’t offering a cash bonus for switching to one of its current accounts.

However, there have been Halifax current account switch bonuses available in the past.

Does switching banks hurt your credit?

Most UK banks will carry out a credit check when you open a new current account.² This can go on your credit record. So if you switch banks a lot in a short period of time, this may affect your credit score.

And that’s it - your at-a-glance guide on how to transfer your bank account to Halifax. If you use the Current Account Switch Service, you should find it pretty quick and easy.

Just make sure you compare all options before switching, as there could be a more suitable account out there for you. For example, if you need an account for international transfers and travel abroad, the Wise account could be a better fit.

Sources used for this article:

Halifax - Switch to Halifax
MoneySavingExpert - Best bank accounts

Sources checked on 06-12-2023.

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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