If you’ve ever thought about switching your current account to Nationwide or wondered whether banking with a mutual could put some extra cash in your pocket, there’s good news for UK savers. Nationwide Building Society has officially launched a £175 cash bonus offer for people who move their current account to the society, and the payout is proving popular because it arrives quickly after qualifying conditions are met. This incentive is part of the bank’s strategy to attract new customers and reward members, and it can be claimed by those who meet the criteria and follow the application steps properly.
In this article we’ll walk you through exactly what the Nationwide £175 cash bonus offer is, who is eligible, how to claim it step by step, what you need to do to make sure you qualify, and some tips to avoid missing out on this easy‑to‑get reward.
What the £175 Cash Bonus Offer Is
Nationwide Building Society has confirmed a £175 cash incentive for anyone who switches their current account to one of its qualifying accounts — such as FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus — via the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). This offer launched on 18 September 2025 and is available to customers who complete a full switch and meet the simple qualifying requirements.
The bonus is paid on top of the normal benefits you get from a Nationwide account — such as competitive interest rates, cashback deals and ongoing perks — and is designed to make switching banks more rewarding. It’s one of the most generous switching incentives among UK banks and building societies at the moment.
Who Is Eligible for the £175 Bonus
To be eligible for the £175 cash payment, you must:
- Switch a non‑Nationwide bank account to a qualifying Nationwide current account using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).
- Switch to one of the following accounts: FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus.
- Ensure the switch completes within 28 days of starting the process.
- Meet a couple of simple activity criteria — such as paying in at least £1,000 into the new account and making at least one eligible debit card purchase within 31 days of account opening or switch completion.
The offer is generally limited to switches from other banks, and Nationwide reserves the right to exclude people who have received a similar switching incentive from them before, depending on the terms. However, it’s not restricted to new customers only — some existing Nationwide customers can also qualify if they switch into a new eligible product and meet the switch conditions.
How to Switch Your Account and Claim the £175
The process to claim your £175 is straightforward, but you need to follow it carefully:
- Choose your Nationwide account
Decide whether you want a FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus current account. Each comes with different features, so pick the one that suits your banking needs. - Start a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS)
This ensures your old account is closed and all your direct debits and standing orders are moved automatically. CASS guarantees the switch completes within 28 days. - Pay in at least £1,000
This payment can be a salary, savings transfer, or any deposit into your new Nationwide account. It cannot simply be transferred from another Nationwide account. - Make one eligible debit card payment
Use your new Nationwide debit card for at least one transaction within 31 days of account opening or the switch being approved. - Wait for the bonus
Once all conditions are met, the £175 bonus should be paid into your new Nationwide account, typically within 10 days. It will show up on your statement as “Switching Offer” or a similar reference.
For joint accounts, only one payment of £175 is made, not £175 each.
When You’re Likely to Get the Cash
If you complete the switch successfully and meet all the requirements within the specified timeframes, Nationwide aims to pay the £175 bonus within about 10 days of qualifying. So, in many cases, you could see the money in your account pretty quickly after switching and meeting the activity conditions.
This makes it a popular choice for people looking to boost their banking income with minimal effort, as you simply switch accounts and carry out routine transactions.
What Happens if You Don’t Meet the Requirements
It’s important to stick to the conditions closely. If you:
- Don’t complete the switch through CASS within 28 days, or
- Fail to pay in £1,000 within the first 31 days, or
- Don’t use the debit card at least once within that period,
then you will not receive the £175 bonus. That’s why checking that the switch is confirmed and tracking your qualifying payments is essential.
If there’s any confusion, you can always contact Nationwide’s customer service or check your online banking app for updates on eligibility and bonus status.
Other Nationwide Cash Rewards You May Be Eligible For
While the £175 switching bonus is one of the most talked‑about incentives, it’s not the only way Nationwide rewards customers:
- Fairer Share Payments or other member profit‑sharing distributions — Nationwide has a history of paying members a £100 “Fairer Share” payment if they meet the qualifying criteria, although this is not guaranteed every year and depends on the building society’s financial performance.
- Combined with the switch bonus and potential future member dividends, customers could net several hundred pounds in total from joining and actively using Nationwide accounts.
Tips to Maximise Your Chance of Getting the Bonus
If you’re thinking about switching to get the £175 offer, here are a few practical pointers:
- Start the switch early and make sure everything is in place well before the 28‑day deadline.
- Watch your account activity to make sure you’ve hit the £1,000 pay‑in and debit card use targets.
- Use the Nationwide app or online banking alerts to check eligibility and see when the bonus is paid.
- If you’re unsure about meeting the requirements, contact customer service — they can clarify whether your switch and transactions count.
Following these simple steps can mean the difference between getting the bonus and missing out.
Final Thoughts
Nationwide’s £175 cash bonus is one of the most attractive current account incentives on the UK market right now, and it’s genuinely confirmed by the building society as part of its latest switching offer. For many people, switching accounts and meeting the qualifying conditions means a quick cash reward with very little effort — and this bonus can make a real difference, whether you’re saving, paying bills or just topping up your spending money.