Tell me moreSwitching to RBS International
The attention your
money deserves
RBS International's reputation for personal service is just the beginning. We even make it easy to switch your account.
It usually takes just four to six weeks to switch your account to RBS International.
What we do
- Create your Standing Orders and Direct Debits.
- Tell your old bank to cancel all payments leaving your account.
- Give you letters, so that you can tell your employer to send credits to your new account.
- Tell your old bank to close your old account - and transfer the balance to us.
Bank charges during your switch - we're here to help
We make sure switching is as smooth as possible. So if you have to pay bank charges because we've made a mistake or caused an unnecessary delay, we'll refund the charges. It's as simple as that.
Overdrafts and cards
We can look at giving you the type of card and overdraft you had with your old bank. Simply pay your main source of income into your new account with us.
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Switching to RBS International
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What we do
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What we ask you to do
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| At the start of the process We write to say we've received your request. We also set out what to expect next and who to call with any questions. | Account switching authorisation First of all, we need your permission to contact your old bank – so you'll fill out and sign a short authorisation form. Open your new account at a branch, and a Customer Adviser will fill the form in for you. If you apply for your account over the phone, we will send you an authorisation form if you answer 'yes' to the question 'Are you transferring an existing account from another financial institution?' |
| Payments from your account We ask your old bank or building society to send us details of your standing orders and Direct Debits. Then we set them up exactly as they are on your old account. Finally, we tell your old bank to cancel all these payments. | Payments from your account It's a good idea to make sure your old account has been closed. You should also check your statements to make sure everything is going as planned. |
| Redirection of regular credits We'll give you letters with your new account details, so that you can advise your employer, pension or other payment providers to send any regular credits to your new account with us. | Redirection of regular credits We need you to pass the letters we give you with your new account details to your employer, pension or other payment providers, so they know to send regular credits to your new account with us. |
| Closing your old account and transferring your balance We ask your old bank to close your old account and transfer the balance to your new Royal Bank account. We'll give your old bank five working days to do this. Don't worry if your old account is overdrawn – we could transfer this balance. If you need to arrange an overdraft, you can do this by speaking to us. If you don't ask us to close your old account, you'll need to transfer the balance by yourself. You can do this by paying in a cheque or by using your old bank's internet or telephone banking service. | Transferring your balance If you want us to repay your overdraft with your old bank, you need to make sure that there are enough cleared funds in your Royal Bank account for us to make the transfer. If you need to arrange an overdraft, you can do this by speaking to us. |
| Savings accounts We can transfer the balance on any savings accounts you hold elsewhere to a Royal Bank savings account of your choice. | Account closure If you ask us to close your old account, you will need to return cheque books or cards to your old bank - or confirm that you've destroyed them. We will provide you with a letter to use to do this. Your old bank may not comply with our instructions unless you follow this step. When disposing of old books and cards, please ensure that all items are cut into small pieces. For cards, cut the chip and magnetic strip in half. |
| When the switch is complete We'll send you a letter to tell you when we have completed all our actions. | Dividend payments If you receive dividend payments, you will need to ask your branch to advise the registrars of your new account details, so these can be paid into your Royal Bank account. |
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Can I check my Direct Debits and standing orders before you set them up on my new account?
You can choose to review your Direct Debits and standing orders before we set them up on your new account, but this could add up to three weeks to the transfer process.
We will send you a list of the payments being made by your old bank for you to check. We ask you to confirm to us within 10 working days which payments you wish us to make, and the date from which they should be paid.
If you have asked us to do so, we will then ask your old bank to cancel the standing orders and Direct Debits paid by them.
If we don't hear from you within the 10 working day period, we'll set up all your payments exactly as they are on your old account and advise your old bank to cancel them.
What if I only want to redirect credits into your account?
If all you need to do is redirect a credit that's paid into your account, you don't have to complete an Account Switching Authorisation Form.
Instead, simply use the template letter we give you to write to your employer, pension or other credit providers with your new RBS International account details.