Nationwide and Santander customers being handed free £175 for Christmas

Customers of the building society, which is the biggest in Britain, will be getting free payments ahead of Christmas, in a major boost to customers, alongside Santander.

Nationwide and Santander customers are being paid a free £175 Christmas bonus. Customers of the building society, which is the biggest in Britain, will be getting free payments ahead of Christmas, in a major boost to customers, alongside Santander.

Nationwide and Santander customers are set for a £175 Christmas bonus if they do one thing.Customers of certain banks can receive a free cash bonus just in time for Christmas by switching to First Direct, Martin Lewis has said.

£175 is up for offer for those who switch to First Direct, 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.”

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Customers of Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Nationwide, Santander, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, TSB and others are eligible. First Direct explains: "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."

But it warns: "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 Offer can be withdrawn at any time.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." Carl Watchorn, head of banking at first direct, said: “Our customer service is award-winning. To thank customers for choosing to come and experience it, we’re bringing back our popular £175 incentive. This is in addition to our £250 interest-free overdraft, fee-free overseas transactions and ATM withdrawals and access to a 7% interest Regular Saver account.”

This is not the only perk customers transferring their banking to first direct can benefit from.