SWITCH YOUR ACCOUNT
Ditch your fossil financing bank.
Your bank account should not help finance climate breakdown. One student switching won't change how banks operate — thousands switching together costs them customers, future income and credibility.
Start your switch
The Current Account Switch Service moves everything for you. Free, and guaranteed.
Tell them why
A closed account is a number. A closed account with a reason attached is a problem.
65 of the world’s largest banks provided £377.6bn to fossil fuel expansion in 2025 · Your bank is not neutral · Students can move money and pressure universities to act
CHOOSE A GREEN BANK
Choose a bank that works for you, not 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 & app quality.
SB4S does not accept money from banks or financial institutions. This is not financial advice — always review eligibility, fees and conditions directly with the provider.
RECORD YOUR SWITCH
Show them what they're losing.
Record your switch so we can demonstrate the scale of student action and show fossil fuel banks how many customers they’re losing.
Sharing this information is optional. We’ll never ask how much money you hold in your account.
Subject:
You Lost a Customer Over Fossil Fuel Financing.
Body:
[Your Name]
TELL THEM WHY
Let your old bank know why you’re switching.
Your bank needs to know why it lost your account. Let them know that their support for fossil fuel expansion is costing them customers.
SWITCHING IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK
The service does the work for you.
The Current Account Switch Service is free and manages the entire move. Your new bank will:
Transfer your balance
Close your old account
Move direct debits + orders
Redirect incoming payments
Complete in 7 days
Frequently Asked Questions
Using the Current Account Switch Service does not itself create a credit check. However, opening a new account may involve a check, particularly if you apply for an overdraft. Check with the provider before applying.
Your new bank transfers your regular payments automatically as part of the switch.
Payments sent to your old account are redirected to your new account.
Yes. You can use it until the agreed switch date.
Yes, if you complete a full switch through the Current Account Switch Service. If you want to keep your old account open, speak with your new provider about other options. These may not be covered by the Switch Guarantee.
An overdraft does not necessarily prevent you from switching, but your new bank will decide whether to offer you one. You may need to repay your existing overdraft separately.
The Current Account Switch Service is free. Always check whether your new account has monthly fees or charges for particular services.
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 switch alone will not transform the financial system - but coordinated action can cost banks customers, income and legitimacy. When thousands of students switch and tell their banks 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.
MAKE THE SWITCH
Switch your bank in 6 steps.
01
Choose your new green bank.
Compare the green banking options and choose the account that best meets your needs.
02
Open your new account.
Follow the link to the banks website or app and complete the application.
03
Ask to switch.
When asked whether you want to move an existing account, select the Current Account Switch Service.
04
Confirm your identity.
Provide the identification and address documents requested by your new bank.
05
Choose your switch date.
Choose an available date. You can continue using your old account until then.
06
Let your new bank do the rest.
Your new bank transfers your balance and regular payments. Your old account closes.