OPEN AN ACCOUNT
Start banking without financing climate breakdown.
Opening a bank account is one of the first financial decisions many students make. It is also a political choice. Banks know that students are likely to become future earners and remain customers for years. That is why they compete for our accounts with discounts, overdrafts and other incentives.
Choose a bank that works for you, not one that uses your money, loyalty and future income to support fossil fuel expansion.
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Why your first bank matters
Open your account
Choose a green bank
Prepare your documents
Record your action
WHY YOUR FIRST BANK MATTERS
Banks want more than the money in your account
You might not hold much money in your account today but banks are still very interested in winning you as a customer.
They know that students are likely to earn more, save more and use additional financial services in the future. The bank you choose at university could keep your account, savings, credit card and mortgage for years.
Opening an account with a green bank withdraws that future value from banks financing fossil fuel expansion. One student making this choice will not transform the financial system, but thousands making it together can cost fossil fuel banks customers, future income and credibility.
That pressure becomes even stronger when we get our universities to move too.
Start your university’s campaign chapter!
OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT
Open your green bank account in six steps
01
Choose your new green bank.
Compare the available options and choose an account that meets your needs.
02
Check your eligibility
Review the provider's age, residency, identification and student status requirements before applying.
03
Prepare your documents
Get the identification, address and university documents requested by the bank.
04
Complete your application
Apply through the bank's website, app or branch.
05
Verify your identity
Follow the bank's instructions to confirm your identity. Depending on the provider and your circumstances, this may happen online or in person.
06
Let your new bank do the rest.
Once approved, set up your card, online banking and any incoming payments, such as wages or Student Finance.
CHOOSE A GREEN BANK
Choose a bank that works for you, not for fossil fuel expansion
There is no single bank that works best for everyone. Before opening an account, consider the features that matter most to you, including fees, overdrafts, branch access, international payments and app quality.
We have reviewed banks' financing records to identify those that do not finance fossil fuel expansion. Our assessment is also informed by research from the University of Cambridge, which published a list of banks and building societies that do not finance the fossil fuel industry.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Get your documents ready
The documents required vary between banks and applicants. Before starting your application, check the requirements of your chosen provider.
No conventional proof of address yet? Check whether the bank accepts a university letter or another document available to students.
YOU MAY BE ASKED FOR
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Proof of identity
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Proof of your UK address
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Proof of your student status
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Your university enrolment letter
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Information about your income or Student Finance
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Evidence of your immigration status, where applicable
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Access to your phone and email
*SB4S does not accept money from banks or financial institutions. We assess banks using publicly available policies, financing data and independent research. This information is intended to help you compare your options. It does not constitute financial advice. Always review the latest eligibility requirements, fees and account conditions directly with the provider before making a decision.
RECORD YOUR ACCOUNT
One account is personal. Thousands becomes political.
Tell us when you open a green bank account so we can demonstrate the scale of student action and show fossil fuel banks how many customers they are losing.
Sharing this information is optional. We’ll never ask how much money you hold in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the provider. Some banks may allow you to begin or complete an application before arriving, while others require a UK address or identity verification in the UK.
Eligibility varies between banks. Check the provider’s residency, immigration and identification requirements before applying.
You may need proof of identity, proof of address, evidence of your student status and evidence of your immigration status. Each bank decides which documents it accepts.
Some banks may accept a university letter, accommodation document or another form of proof. Check directly with the provider.
This depends on the features you need. Student accounts may offer overdrafts or incentives, while standard current accounts may offer different fees, eligibility requirements or ethical benefits.
Opening a basic current account may not require a full credit check. Applying for an overdraft or other credit usually involves additional checks. Confirm this with the provider before applying.
Some accounts are free, while others charge monthly fees. Always review the latest account conditions before applying.
Eligible deposits with authorised UK banks and building societies are normally protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Check the current protection rules and the status of your chosen provider before opening an account.
One account alone will not transform the financial system. But coordinated action can deny fossil fuel banks future customers, income and legitimacy. When thousands of students choose green banks and explain why, an individual decision becomes collective political pressure.
With the exception of Nationwide Building Society and Starling, we include only banks and building societies identified by the University of Cambridge and the UK Higher Education Banking Coalition as not financing fossil fuel expansion.
Nationwide is not currently included on the Coalition’s public list because it acquired Virgin Money in October 2024. Virgin Money has low exposure to the fossil fuel industry. However, Nationwide has confirmed that its fossil fuel restrictions apply across the entire Nationwide Group, including Virgin Money’s accounts, products and business operations.
On this basis, SB4S considers Nationwide consistent with our criteria for a green bank and has included it as an option.
Moreover, Starling Bank is not included on the Coalition's public list. However, Starling states that it does not invest in the fossil fuel industry. Based on its publicly available disclosures and the absence of evidence of fossil fuel expansion financing, SB4S considers Starling to be consistent with our criteria for a green bank.
No. SB4S does not accept money from banks or financial institutions.