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FlexDirect current account

Our self-service account that pays you to bank with us.

Get interest on your money and, for the first 12 months, cashback on debit card purchases.

Why choose our FlexDirect

  • Get interest on your money
    Earn 5% AER (4.89% gross a year) fixed for the first 12 months.

    We pay interest monthly on every penny you have in your account up to £1,500. Keep that much in your account the whole time and you could earn up to £75 over the year.

    After a year, the interest rate is 1% AER (0.99% gross a year) variable. More about our interest rates.

  • Up to £60 cashback on debit card purchases for 12 months
    Earn 1% monthly cashback (up to £5 a month) when you spend on your debit card - whether online, over the phone or in store. Contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and recurring payments also count.

    Spend restrictions – like gambling – and other terms apply. Read the full offer terms – PDF, 78KB (opens in a new window).

  • £50 interest-free on an arranged overdraft
    If you're eligible for an arranged overdraft, the first £50 is interest-free. So you won't get stung if you go a little overdrawn. After that, you’ll pay 39.9% a year compounded (variable).

  • You prefer to bank online or with telephone banking
    FlexDirect works differently to our other current accounts. Unless it’s an emergency, you’ll need to manage it online or over the phone.

  • Fee-free
    We don't charge a monthly fee for maintaining the account.

  • Access to other Nationwide products
    Opening a FlexDirect is one way to become a member of Nationwide. Our current account members get access to exclusive savings accounts, like our Flex Regular Saver and Flex Instant Saver.

To apply for FlexDirect

You need to:

  • be 18 or over
  • be a UK resident
  • agree the account is for personal use only
  • hold no more than 4 existing sole or joint Nationwide current accounts
  • register for our Internet Bank during your application.

Note:

To get the 12-month interest and cashback offers, you'll need to pay in at least £1,000 each month. Not counting transfers from other Nationwide accounts or Visa credits.

You won't get the offers if you've had a FlexDirect account before. But you will get the offers on a new joint account, as long as you have not shared a FlexDirect account with that person before.

Apply for FlexDirect

FlexDirect Arranged Overdraft Representative Example

38.2% APR Representative (variable). Based on an assumed arranged limit of £1,200 and an interest rate of 0% on the first £50, then 39.9% a year (variable).

A £175 welcome when you switch

You could also pocket £175 for switching to us. You just need to:

  • Switch a non-Nationwide bank account with at least two active Direct Debits to us

  • Switch to us online

  • Close your non-Nationwide bank account when you switch. We're able to do this for you - just make sure you select this option when you’re requesting your switch

  • Complete your switch within 28 days

And within 31 days of requesting the switch, you need to:

  • Put at least £1,000 into the account, not counting transfers from other Nationwide accounts or Visa credits

  • Pay for something once using your debit card. Some transactions - like gambling - don’t count towards this, so make sure you check the terms

Terms apply - PDF, 90KB (opens in a new window)

Still not sure if you qualify for the offer? Use our handy tool to check if you’re eligible 

The UK's number 1 banking provider for customer satisfaction

Being a mutual enables us to put our members' needs before our profits. And invest our profits in what you need. We are constantly listening, learning, and looking to improve - to ensure we're helping you manage your money as easily and seamlessly as possible.

Best customer satisfaction in the building society and banking sector: as reported by The UK Customer Satisfaction Index (July 2024) published by The Institute of Customer Service.

More about how we’re a good way to bank

Bank your way

  1. Designed for online and over the phone

    FlexDirect must be managed online or over the phone where possible.

  2. Our banking app

    Our banking app makes it easy to securely bank how you want, when you want.

  3. Chat with us 24/7

    Chat with a real person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the chat service in our internet bank and banking app.

  4. Keep track of your money

    You can set your text alert preferences to help you manage your money. And you can go paperless to help keep track digitally.

  5. Pay contactless

    Make contactless payments up to £100 with your Visa debit card, or pay with your phone using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

  6. UK call centres

    We believe you’re best served by people living and working in your communities. At times to suit you.

Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay are available on selected devices and operating systems. Apple Pay and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google, Android, Google Pay and Google Wallet are trademarks of Google LLC. Samsung and Samsung Pay are trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

In-credit interest rates

FlexDirect offers in-credit interest on every penny in your account up to £1,500.

Table showing rates of in-credit interest for FlexDirect.
Type of rate Interest on every penny up to £1,500 Interest on every penny over £1,500

Offer rate

Fixed for the first 12 months from when you open your account

5% AER
(4.89% gross a year)

0% AER (0% gross a year)

Standard rate

Ongoing variable rate once any offer period has ended

1% AER
(0.99% gross a year)

0% AER (0% gross a year)

How do the in-credit interest rates work?

These interest rates will only be paid if you are paying in at least £1,000 per month, not counting transfers from other Nationwide accounts or Visa credits.

Interest is calculated on the last day of each month and is paid on the first day of the next month. We pay interest without tax deducted.

If the account balance that we calculated interest on changes, then we may need to debit your account with an interest adjustment.

Fees, charges and important documents

Before you apply, make sure you read the following documents.

Charitable Assignment

We don't charge a monthly fee for maintaining the account, but charges can apply for:

Apply for FlexDirect

When you apply for FlexDirect, you can:

  • apply for a brand new bank account
  • switch your current account from another building society or a bank to us, or
  • change your existing Nationwide current account to a FlexDirect.

Quick comparison of our everyday bank accounts

We offer a few different current accounts. Check that you’re applying for the right account for you.

See a full comparison of our everyday bank accounts

If you can't view the whole table, swipe or scroll to show more > > >

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Note:

If you don’t qualify for a FlexAccount, FlexDirect or FlexPlus current account, you may be offered a FlexBasic account.

Jargon explained

AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest were paid and compounded each year.

Gross a year is the interest rate without tax deducted.

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It includes all the costs of borrowing including certain account fees and promotional rates. It’s for comparing costs between different products and providers.

Related links

I need help with my account

Our current account help section has the answers to our most commonly asked questions.

We also have a quick guide to using your current account covering your everyday banking.

Protecting your money

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (opens in a new window) (FSCS) is a free, independent service that protects up to £85,000 of your eligible money at Nationwide.

Find out more about the FSCS – PDF, 2MB (opens in a new window)

Nationwide adheres to The Standards of Lending Practice, which are monitored and enforced by the LSB: www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk (opens in a new window).