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Banking Guides

We've collated our most popular and most recently-published banking guides in one place for you. Designed to help you through the basics as well as more complicated issues, browse our entire back catalogue below. 

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Our most popular banking guides

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Who Owns Whom? Check FSCS Protection

This guide reveals which brands operate under which banking licence, helping savers work out to what degree their savings are protected by the FSCS.

This guide reveals which brands operate under which banking licence, helping savers work out to what degree their savings are protected by the FSCS.

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FSCS Protection Explained: Are My UK Savings Safe?

The FSCS protects consumers and pays compensation if banks and other financial firms collapse. Find out how this depositor protection scheme works and how to keep your savings safe.

The FSCS protects consumers and pays compensation if banks and other financial firms collapse. Find out how it works and how to keep your savings safe.

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What is the Consumer Credit Act?

The Consumer Credit Act (CCA) is a key piece of legislation that protects consumers and regulates credit agreements. Find out how it affects you and your rights.

The Consumer Credit Act (CCA) is a key piece of legislation that protects consumers and regulates credit agreements.

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How Does an Overdraft Work?

Overdrafts are a form of borrowing from your bank or building society, and they can be expensive, so it is important to compare interest rates. Find out more here.

Overdrafts are a form of borrowing from your bank or building society, and they can be expensive, so it's important to compare the interest rate.

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What is a cooling off period? What are my rights?

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance. Find out when this applies and how it works.

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance.

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What is a standing order?

A standing order is a fixed payment from your bank account that goes out automatically on a set date at a chosen interval. See more on how standing orders work.

A standing order is a fixed payment from your bank account that goes out automatically on a set date at a chosen interval.

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Cash cards vs debit cards explained

Depending on the type of current account you have, you may be offered a cash or a debit card by your bank or building society. Discover the difference here.

Depending on the type of current account you have, you may be offered a cash or a debit card by your bank or building society. Discover the difference here.

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What are challenger banks?

They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted as an alternative to the established banking giants?

They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted?

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All our banking guides

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Has your local bank branch closed? Here’s what you can do

The UK has seen many bank branch closures in recent years. Discover some of your options if your local bank or building society branch is closing down.

The UK has seen many bank branch closures in recent years. What can you do if your local bank or building society branch is closing down?

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Can you use a current account for savings? Pros and cons explained

Although you could use a high-interest current account for your excess money, you can usually get a better return from a savings account. Read more on the pros and cons.

Although you could use a high-interest current account for your excess money, you can usually get a better return from a savings account.

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Things your bank will never ask you to do

There are many ways scammers may try to defraud you from your money, including impersonating your bank. What are the warning signs of a bank scam? Learn more in our guide.

There are many ways scammers may try to defraud you from your money, including impersonating your bank. What are the warning signs of a bank scam?

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Can you open a bank account without proof of address?

Bank Accounts Without Proof of Address: How to Apply

Bank Accounts Without Proof of Address: How to Apply

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UK base rate explained - and how to respond to changes

The Bank of England base rate is the UK’s central interest rate. Find out what the base rate, or bank rate, does and how it can affect mortgages and savings.

Find out what the Bank of England's base rate, or bank rate, does and how it can affect mortgages and savings.

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How does UK inflation affect your finances

Inflation is a figure that says how much prices have risen or fallen over the past 12 months. Find out what it means for your money and how to respond.

Inflation is a figure that says how much prices have risen or fallen over the past 12 months. Find out what it means for your money and how to respond.

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FSCS Protection Explained: Are My UK Savings Safe?

The FSCS protects consumers and pays compensation if banks and other financial firms collapse. Find out how this depositor protection scheme works and how to keep your savings safe.

The FSCS protects consumers and pays compensation if banks and other financial firms collapse. Find out how it works and how to keep your savings safe.

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Joint bank accounts explained

Joint accounts can make it easier for two or more people to pay bills and manage money, but there are some potential implications and downsides to consider. Read more about the pros and cons of a joint bank account in our guide.

Joint accounts can make it easier for two or more people to pay bills and manage money, but there are some potential implications and downsides to consider.

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Payment errors: What to do if you’ve sent money to the wrong account

You can’t reverse a bank transfer if you’ve accidentally sent a payment to the wrong account, but you can retrieve your money. Find out more. Read our handy guide to find out more.

You can’t reverse a bank transfer if you’ve accidentally sent a payment to the wrong account, but you can retrieve your money. Find out more.

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Reclaiming unfair credit card charges

Do you think you’ve been charged unfairly on your credit card? Discover what is classed as an unfair credit card charge and how to reclaim it.

Do you think you’ve been charged unfairly on your credit card? Discover what is classed as an unfair credit card charge and how to reclaim it.

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How to get out and stay out of your overdraft

If you’re constantly in your bank account overdraft, here’s our seven-step guide to paying off your overdraft and staying overdraft-free.

If you’re constantly in your bank account overdraft, here’s our seven-step guide to paying off your overdraft and staying overdraft-free.

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Guide to Shari’ah Banking

Shari’ah banking is a specialist form of banking that complies with the rules of Islam. Discover how Shari’ah banking works and what makes it different in our guide.

Shari’ah banking is a specialist form of banking that complies with the rules of Islam. Discover how Shari’ah banking works and what makes it different.

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What is a standing order?

A standing order is a fixed payment from your bank account that goes out automatically on a set date at a chosen interval. See more on how standing orders work.

A standing order is a fixed payment from your bank account that goes out automatically on a set date at a chosen interval.

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What is a credit union?

Credit unions are not-for-profit co-operatives that offer financial products and services to their members. Read more on how credit unions work and how to join one.

Credit unions are not-for-profit co-operatives that offer financial products and services to their members.

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What is a Direct Debit?

A Direct Debit is where a company automatically takes a payment from your bank account, according to your instructions. It’s often used for bills and subscriptions.

A Direct Debit is where a company automatically takes a payment from your bank account, according to your instructions.

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What is the Current Account Switching Service?

Switching bank accounts is fast and simple, thanks to the Current Account Switching Service (CASS). Find out more details on how to switch your current account.

Switching bank accounts is fast and simple, thanks to the Current Account Switching Service (CASS). Find out more details on how to switch your current account.

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Cash gifts at Christmas – The essential tax facts you need to remember

Christmas is the perfect time of year to give family members a cash gift, but these can carry tax charges. This mostly comes in the form of inheritance tax, which can be complicated. In this article we’ve explained some important tax laws in more detail.

Christmas is the perfect time of year to give family members a cash gift, but these can carry tax charges.

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A guide to the Financial Conduct Authority UK

Our guide to the Financial Conduct Authority. Everything you need to know as a UK consumer.

Our guide to the Financial Conduct Authority. Everything you need to know as a UK consumer.

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Who Owns Whom? Check FSCS Protection

This guide reveals which brands operate under which banking licence, helping savers work out to what degree their savings are protected by the FSCS.

This guide reveals which brands operate under which banking licence, helping savers work out to what degree their savings are protected by the FSCS.

Read More
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How Does an Overdraft Work?

Overdrafts are a form of borrowing from your bank or building society, and they can be expensive, so it is important to compare interest rates. Find out more here.

Overdrafts are a form of borrowing from your bank or building society, and they can be expensive, so it's important to compare the interest rate.

Read More
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What is a building society?

Building societies are financial institutions that are similar to banks in some ways, but there are several key differences in how they work.

Building societies are financial institutions that are similar to banks in some ways, but there are several key differences in how they work.

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Cash cards vs debit cards explained

Depending on the type of current account you have, you may be offered a cash or a debit card by your bank or building society. Discover the difference here.

Depending on the type of current account you have, you may be offered a cash or a debit card by your bank or building society. Discover the difference here.

Read More
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What are challenger banks?

They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted as an alternative to the established banking giants?

They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted?

Read More
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Can you make money from stoozing?

Stoozing is a money hack that uses credit cards to help to maximise the interest you earn on your savings. Find out how it works and if it’s worth doing.

Stoozing is a money hack that uses credit cards to help to maximise the interest you earn on your savings.

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What is the Consumer Credit Act?

The Consumer Credit Act (CCA) is a key piece of legislation that protects consumers and regulates credit agreements. Find out how it affects you and your rights.

The Consumer Credit Act (CCA) is a key piece of legislation that protects consumers and regulates credit agreements.

Read More
guides icon
What is a cooling off period? What are my rights?

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance. Find out when this applies and how it works.

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance.

Read More
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What are the best ways to spend money abroad?

From vibrant city breaks to relaxing beach getaways, wherever your travel plans take you this year, you’ll need to have access to cash. The good news is that there are multiple options to choose from when it comes to spending money abroad.

From vibrant city breaks to relaxing beach getaways, wherever your travel plans take you this year, you’ll need to have access to cash.

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7 ways to stay safe when using ATMs

While the number of financial tasks you can complete via ATMs has increased significantly over the past 10 years, fraudsters have also become more sophisticated. Read our guide about how to stay safe when using an ATM.

With the growing sophistication of ATM fraudsters, it is becoming growingly important to be more vigilant. Find out more in our guide.

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How satisfied are consumers with their banks?

Most mainstream banks in the UK must contribute to the independent service quality survey. See whether the bank you use has been featured and what the consumer consensus is!

Most mainstream banks in the UK must contribute to the independent service quality survey. See whether your bank has been featured.

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Six tips to keep online banking safe

Innocent people who fall foul of internet bank account fraud can expect to be reimbursed if they have taken reasonable steps to keep their account safe.

Innocent people who fall foul of internet bank account fraud can expect to be reimbursed if they have taken reasonable steps to keep their account safe.

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Everything you need to know about Open Banking

Open Banking is a practice that allows you to securely share your financial data with authorised third-party providers, such as budgeting apps or other banks, through APIs. Depending on the app or service, you can also give them permission to make payments directly from your account.

Open Banking is a practice that allows you to securely share your financial data with authorised third-party providers such as apps or other banks, through APIs

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How to get your money back after an online scam

If you’ve fallen victim to an online scam, your thoughts will likely be turning to how to get your money back, and the answer will often depend on how you were conned out of it. So, here’s how to get your money back after an online scam if you…

Here’s how to get your money back after an online scam.

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What should you do if you are scammed?

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, you need to act quickly to ensure things don’t get any worse. If you were targeted online you should change your passwords as soon as possible – particularly those for your bank and other financial accounts – and you’ll need to inform the relevant authorities.

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, you need to act quickly to ensure things don’t get any worse.

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What is a forward currency contract?

A forward currency contract can be a great way to give you some certainty when it comes to exchange rates and costs while avoiding currency fluctuations, but what exactly is a forward currency contract, and how can you make it work for you? We take a look.

A forward currency contract can be a great way to give you some certainty when it comes to exchange rates and costs .

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What is the safest way to bank online?

We explain how the banks keep your money safe when banking online. Read our guide to find out more about staying safe online.

We explain how the banks keep your money safe when banking online. Read our guide to find out more about staying safe online.

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Is gap insurance worth it?

Gap insurance is often sold by car dealerships when you buy a new or second-hand car. Gap insurance is there to make sure you are not out of pocket if your car is written off or stolen.

Gap insurance is often sold by car dealerships when you buy a new or second-hand car. Find out more about what role it plays in our guide.

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How does being self-employed impact your finances?

What you need to know about how being self-employed can impact your finances.

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Are you in the dark about your partner’s finances?

Be very careful about entering into joint financial agreements – especially if one or both of you have a poor credit history. Find out more in our handy guide.

Be very careful about entering into joint financial agreements – especially if one or both of you have a poor credit history. Find out more in our handy guide.

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Faster Payments: how do they work?

Faster Payments do what they say on the tin: they're a way to make payments faster. But how fast are they? And how do you go about making one?

Faster Payments do what they say on the tin: they're a way to make payments faster. But how fast are they? And how do you go about making one?

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What is a continuous payment authority?

A CPA is a type of recurring payment, similar to a direct debit, whereby you give permission for a company to take money from your account using your card details.

A CPA is a type of recurring payment, whereby you give permission for a company to take money from your account using your card details.

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