Martin Lewis says Santander, Barclays, Nationwide customers will wake up to free £175 within weeks

To claim the free cash, all you need to do is switch from a current account to UK bank First Direct's 1 Account, the Money Saving Expert founder has explained..

Martin Lewis has explained how to get £175 free cash in time for Christmas. To claim the free cash, all you need to do is switch from a current account to UK bank First Direct's 1 Account, the Money Saving Expert founder has explained..

BBC and ITV star Mr Lewis explained the trick in his weekly newsletter, which was released on September 18 (Wednesday). Mr Lewis said: "Grab a FREE £175 in time for Christmas. All banks, bar one, have turned off their switching bribes. I hope some will return, but there's no guarantee."

The offer isn't available to people who've been HSBC UK customers since 2018. But it IS available to those who bank with Nationwide, Santander, Barclays, NatWest, TSB and Lloyds currently, Mr Lewis went on to write in his MSE bulletin.

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He went on to say: "Luckily, the one currently available is often a top pick, so it's worth considering." Mr Lewis said: "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."

On its website, First Direct confirmed: "Within 45 days of your account opening you need to: switch to us using the Current Account Switch Service (including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking. New customers only, who haven’t previously held a first direct product.

"Sorry, we also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Subject to status. UK residents only."