Switch to Royal Bank of Scotland

You deserve a better bank

Remember when there was someone on hand who knew your financial needs and aspirations to whom you weren't just a number? This is just one of the differences of being a Private Banking customer.


At The Royal Bank of Scotland, all our call centres are based in the UK.

That's just the beginning. Banking with us is all about personal service backed up with products which make your life easier.

Switching to The Royal Bank of Scotland is straightforward. In fact, the process generally takes just two to four weeks to complete.

What we will do

  • Set up your standing orders and Direct Debits
  • Instruct your old bank to cancel all payments
  • Give you letters so that you can advise your employer or other regulated credit provider to send payments to your new account
  • Ask your old bank to close your old account and transfer the balance to us

Bank charges - our promise

In the unlikely event that you incur any bank charges in switching your account (as a result of an error or unnecessary delay on our part), we will refund these charges in full.

Match your deal

We are happy to look at matching the type of card and overdraft you have with your old bank, as long as you pay your main source of income into your new account with us.

All we need is to see your old bank card, your last month's statement from your old account and something that shows your overdraft limit if not shown on your statement.

Plus, any agreed overdraft is interest-free for six months.

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Once your account has been opened, we will send your account opening information pack within ten days.

Your pack includes:

  • Your Highline or Cashline Card
  • Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
  • Your cheque book

You will also get our 'How to make the most of your account' brochure. This includes:

  • Terms and conditions for your new account
  • Our leaflets 'Charges for additional services' and 'Charges and rates of interest'
  • A copy of the Banking Code

If you open a Royalties Private account, you will also receive a pack explaining how to use all your additional benefits.

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To open a new current account, you will need to provide us with original documentary proof of your identity and your address. We need to see one identification document and one address verification document.

Please note that you can't use the same item to confirm both your name and address.

Don't have the right documents?

If you can't provide one item from each list, please call us on 0800 051 9955 (Minicom 0845 900 5960). We will see if there are any other documents we can accept to open your new account.


Identification Table
Current signed Passport
Current Full UK photo card Driving Licence
Current Full UK Driving Licence (old style paper version)
UK Armed Forces Identity Card
Police Warrant Card
Construction Industry - Tax exemption certificate with photograph of holder (forms CIS4, CIS6)
Student identification/matriculation card (from a recognised university or college) - must be valid for current academic year
Firearms or shotgun certificate
Benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept. of Work and Pensions) and/or Job Centre Plus confirming the rights to benefits at present.
Photo credit/debit card issued by a UK/EU bank
Disabled Driver's Pass
OAP Travel Pass
EU National ID Card
Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence
Identity Card issued by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland
NHS medical card (if you are 20 years of age or under)
Birth certificate (if you are 20 years of age or under)

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Address Verification Table
Council Tax bill or payment book (within last 12 months)
Utility bill - within last 6 months (mobile phone bills, internet access bills, cable and Satellite TV bills are not acceptable)
Current full UK photo card driving licence
Current full UK driving licence (old style paper version)
Bank/building society/credit card statement (within last 6 months)
Original mortgage statement (no more than 12 months old)
Benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept. of Work and Pensions) and/or Job Centre Plus confirming the rights to benefits at present.
Current home or motor insurance certificate (issued within the last 12 months, can only be used by policy holder)
Current local Council rent card or tenancy agreement (private tenancy agreements are not acceptable)
Inland Revenue tax notification (not P45 or P60)
Solicitors letter confirming recent house purchase or Land Registry confirmation
Original tax notification and correspondence from HM Customs & Revenue

Why we need to see your ID

When you open a new account with us, we are required by law to ask you to prove who you are and where you live. This is to comply with money laundering regulations and to help stop criminals using financial products or services to move money around.

These security checks apply to both new and existing customers. As well as fulfilling our legal responsibility, we aim to help combat financial crime and protect you from criminals who might otherwise falsely use your name, without your knowledge.

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