Can I switch to a Starling current account if I already have a joint account with the bank?

I have had a current account with Barclays Bank for over 25 years but it has decided to cancel my overdraft for no other reason than I don’t use it much so I want to leave.

I want to switch to Starling, but I already have a joint checking account there. Can I open a new individual account with Starling even if I already have an account there?

Are there any other banks offering good deals to switch now that I should consider?

Helen Kirrane from This is Money replies: The Current Account Switching Service (Cass) makes it easy and convenient to switch bank accounts.

The aim is to make switching quick and painless, with the account transferred within seven working days.

It has enabled more than 11 million bank switches in the eleven years since its launch, with more than 50 banks and building societies now part of the service.

There are a number of bank switching incentives currently available, ranging from £200 cashback to 5 per cent interest on current account balances.

I spoke to Cass, who confirmed that you can still open a Starling account and switch from your Barclays account via its service, even if you already have a joint account with Starling.

Andrew Hagger, founder of Moneycomms replies: Even if you already have a joint account with Starling, there is nothing stopping you from also switching your old Barclays current account to a new sole bank account with Starling.

Please note that any overdrawn balance on your Barclays account will not be transferred automatically. You must agree to a new overdraft facility with Starling Bank.

Which banks offer the best switching benefits?

Andrew Hagger replies: Starling has an excellent reputation for customer service and offers a generous credit interest rate of 3.25 percent on balances up to £5,000. So it’s a great all-round account, but there are a few other options worth considering.

If you’re looking for an overdraft limit, it might be worth checking out First Direct. It currently offers a cash sweetener of £175 if you transfer via Cass, and something that might appeal to you is that it offers an interest-free overdraft of up to £250.

It consistently performs top notch when it comes to customer service, and First Direct checking account customers also have the option to open a regular savings account, at a generous 7 percent.

Alternatively, you can consider NatWest Reward’s current account, which currently offers a £180 switching bonus for Cass switches.

The account is charged a monthly fee of £2, but you can earn back £4 per month if you have two or more direct debits (two of these direct debits must be at least £2 each).

Plus, you can earn an extra £1 back per month by logging into the mobile app once using the NatWest Rewards feature. That’s a maximum of £5 per month back, so that more than offsets the £2 monthly cost.

You can also earn Rewards from 1 per cent when you spend at selected stores with your NatWest payment card.

> Five of the best bank accounts for cash benefits, interest and overdrafts

Helen Kirrane replies: Nationwide currently pays £175 to new customers who switch to one of its FlexPlus, FlexDirect or FlexAccount current accounts.

Customers who open a FlexDirect account will receive 1 percent cashback on their debit card spend for the first twelve months after opening their account, up to a maximum of £5 per month.

The FlexDirect account also pays 5 percent interest on account balances, up to £1,500 for the first 12 months.

Customers considering switching to the FlexPlus account should note that costs will increase by £5 per month from December 1, from £13 per month to £18 per month.