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Compare basic current accounts

	Account	Interest (AER) The account's Annual Equivalent Rate: the interest rate that is paid on in-credit balances over a year. Hover over the red asterisks for more details.	Overdraft Rate The interest or fee that is charged for using the account's overdraft facility.Hover over the red asterisks for more details.	Max Overdraft The maximum authorised overdraft amount permitted on the account.	Min Monthly Payment Some accounts require customers to pay in a certain amount each month. Failure to pay in the agreed amount can result in penalties or loss of account benefits.	Monthly Fee The amount that the bank charges customers each month to use the account – usually deducted from the account balance every month.
	Nationwide Flex Account Free European travel insurance, discounted personal loans and special mortgage deals - all with no monthly account fee.	0%	18.90%	Not stated	None	Free	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 16 Permanent UK Resident Yes
	Representative Example: If you use an overdraft limit of £1,200 a 18.9% EAR (variable) charge will apply
	NatWest Select Account Includes free app for your iPhone and overdraft (subject to eligibility)	0%	19.89%	Not stated	None	Free	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes
	Representative Example: If you use an overdraft limit of £100 a 19.89% EAR (variable) charge will apply
	Barclays Bank Account with Tech Pack Straightforward Bank Account from Barclays with the Tech Pack for a £7.50 monthly fee	0%	19.3% Representative Example: Up to £200 - 0% interest per annum (variable) Over £200 and up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest per annum (variable)	£5,000	None	£7.50 per month	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes
	Representative Example: Up to £200 - 0% interest per annum (variable) Over £200 and up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest per annum (variable)
	Barclays Bank Account with Travel Pack Straightforward Current Account from Barclays with the Travel Pack for an £8.50 monthly fee	0%	19.3% Representative Example: Up to £200 - 0% interest per annum (variable) Over £200 and up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest per annum (variable)	£5,000	None	£8.50 per month	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes
	Representative Example: Up to £200 - 0% interest per annum (variable) Over £200 and up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest per annum (variable)
	Barclays Bank Account with Home Pack A straightforward Bank Account from Barclays with the Home Pack for a £6 monthly fee	0%	19.3% Representative Example: Up to £200 - 0% interest per annum (variable) Over £200 and up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest per annum (variable)	£5,000	None	£6.00 per month	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes
	Representative Example: Up to £200 - 0% interest per annum (variable) Over £200 and up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest per annum (variable)
	Barclays Bank Account Straightforward account with access to telephone and online banking	0%	19.3% Representative Example: Up to £5,000 19.3% interest p.a (variable) Subject to status and application.	£5,000	None	Free	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes
	Representative Example: Up to £5,000 - 19.3% interest p.a. (variable). Subject to status and application.
	Santander Everyday Current Account A free Arranged Overdraft for 4 months when you switch to Santander.	0%	£1 per day 0% EAR (variable). £1 per day capped at 20 days each monthly statement period	£5,000	None	Free	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes Monthly Fee Free
	Representative Example: 0% EAR (variable) Arranged Overdraft. No Daily Arranged Overdraft Fee for the first 4 months. Then £1 per day capped at 20 days each monthly statement period applies thereafter. Assumed Arranged Overdraft credit limit: £1,200.
	Cashplus Prepaid Current Account No Credit check required. The ideal alternative to a traditional High Street Account. Comes with FREE Creditbuilder facility.	0%	n/a	n/a	None	£9.95	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes Monthly Fee £9.95
	Clear Cash Prepaid Account The ClearCash Prepaid MasterCard comes with a raft of features designed to help cardholders save money and manage their finances more efficiently	0%	n/a	n/a	None	£9.95	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes Monthly Fee £9.95
	CardOneBanking Bank Account	0%	n/a	n/a	None	£12.50	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes Monthly Fee £12.50
	Secure Trust Prepaid Bank Account	0%	n/a	n/a	£1	£12.50	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Permanent UK Resident Yes Monthly Fee £12.50
	thinkmoney Account An innovative way to manage your finances with a two-account system - never miss a payment again.	0%	n/a	n/a	None	£14.50 single / £19.50 joint	MORE INFO
	Tuxedo eccount Prepaid card account available to people that cannot get a traditional bank account.	n/a	n/a	n/a	None	£10	MORE INFO

Accounts with an asterisk next to the AER interest have a bonus applied to the interest rate, place your mouse cursor over the asterisk to view the bonus.

More about basic current accounts

Some current accounts these days come with a whole lot of fancy whizz and pop. But if you don't need anything other than basic banking features you can keep it minimal.

The basic free-of-charge current account comes with a debit card which you can use in cash machines and in the shops and you can have direct debits and standing orders set up to automatically pay the bills. You either top up the account with cash, regular income such as your salary, or by transfer from another account.

Some of the accounts come with a cheque book and an overdraft facility. The very most basic don't though, and these are great for young people or those with poor credit histories.

Often basic accounts have restricted access to branch facilities - you have to administer the account either online or via the telephone. Don't worry though, there's very little in the banking world that you can't do from the comfort of your own home these days.

Some basic accounts may also prevent you from using your card abroad and they pay next to nothing in interest. Therefore it's best to only keep enough money in there to cover the bills and your day-to-day costs.

As well as the normal banks and building societies, see what's on offer from specialist telephone based providers. They often focus their attentions solely on basic accounts and could present a good alternative to the high street names, depending on your circumstances.

Click here to read about basic current accounts with Know Your Money's guide

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