Martin Lewis: Santander, Barclays, and Nationwide Customers to Receive Free £175 in Weeks

Finance guru Martin Lewis has revealed a simple way to get £175 in free cash before Christmas. According to the Money Saving Expert founder, you can claim the money by switching your current account to First Direct's 1st Account.

Martin Lewis Explains How to Get £175 Free Cash Before Christmas

In his weekly newsletter released on September 18, Martin Lewis shared a handy tip for securing £175 in free cash just in time for Christmas. He noted, “Claim a FREE £175 before the holidays. Almost all banks have stopped offering switching bonuses, and while I hope some will return, there's no certainty.” Reports BirminghamLive.

The offer is not accessible to anyone who has been an HSBC UK customer since 2018. However, it is open to current customers of Nationwide, Santander, Barclays, NatWest, TSB, and Lloyds, as Martin Lewis noted in his MSE bulletin.

First Direct Offers £175 Bonus for New Customers

Martin Lewis is encouraging people to take advantage of a great banking offer. The finance expert added, "Luckily, the one currently available is often a top pick, so it's worth considering." Mr Lewis highlighted, "First Direct FREE £175, top service, 0 per cent overdraft, 7 per cent linked saver. First Direct pays newbies who use its switching service £175, so do it now and you can get the cash by 20 Nov, plenty of time for it to go towards your Christmas coffers."

"It's always been one of the top accounts for service, rated 90 per cent great, and it also offers a linked 7 per cent regular savings account you can put up to £300 per month in, an ongoing £250 interest-free overdraft for many, and its debit card gives perfect rates abroad."

First Direct confirmed on its website that within 45 days of opening your account, you need to switch to them using the Current Account Switch Service (which must include at least two Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000, make five or more debit card payments, and log into digital banking. This offer is available to new customers only who haven’t previously held a First Direct product.

They also noted that the offer isn’t available to anyone who opened an HSBC current account on or after January 1, 2018. The offer can be withdrawn at any time and is subject to status, available only to UK residents.