Skip to main content of page

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. Which? Recommended Provider for current accounts.

Current account switch guarantee

Our £175 current account switch offer

Get £175 by switching your main account to us. Limited time only. Terms apply.

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).

Which? Recommended for current accounts

We’re proud to be a Which? Recommended Provider for current accounts.

Join us and find out why we’re a good way to bank. We share our profits with our members, are first in high street banking satisfaction and keep our branches open.*

Bank your way

  1. Designed for online and over the phone

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

  2. Use our app

    The Nationwide 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 app and internet bank.

  4. Keep track of your money

    Stay up-to-date with alerts from our app or by text. And you can go paperless to 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.

FlexDirect is Five-Star Rated

FlexDirect is Five-Star Rated by Moneyfacts as a current account that stands out from the rest. And whether you’re opening a new account or switching, we’ve got another Five-Star Rating for making it as easy as possible.

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.

The UK's number 1 banking provider for customer satisfaction

We have been rated the UK’s best high street banking provider for customer satisfaction in the building society and banking sector.

Reported by The UK Customer Satisfaction Index (January 2026) published by The Institute of Customer Service. Of the 18 banking providers included, our high street banking peer group consists of banks with their own branches (excluding hubs and the Post Office).

More about how we’re a good way to bank

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

What we'll ask when you apply

Before you start, it's a good idea to have these ready:

  • your address history for the past 3 years
  • your employer's address (if you're employed)
  • if you have one, a valid UK passport or driving licence

A passport or driving licence will make applying a bit quicker, but don't worry if you don't have one. You'll still be able to apply. If you apply without ID, we might ask you to come into a branch later to prove your identity.

Apply now

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, scroll, or rotate your phone to show more > > >

Loading...

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.

Your money is protected

Your money is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person, or £240,000 for joint accounts, per provider.

Bringing Nationwide and Virgin Money together

Virgin Money’s business will become part of Nationwide on 2 April 2026, subject to Court approval. Once the transfer completes, your total combined deposits with Nationwide and Virgin Money will be covered up to £120,000 per person, or £240,000 for joint accounts.

More about the Virgin Money acquisition

*‘Share our profits with our members’ refers to our Fairer Share Payment. If you bank as well as save or have a mortgage with us, you could benefit from our Fairer Share Payments. Some members have received £300 in Fairer Share Payments since 2023. It's our intention to make a payment every year, but this will depend on how we perform financially. We may change the amount and the eligibility criteria based on that performance. See the eligibility criteria for the 2025 Fairer Share Payment.

‘First in high street banking satisfaction’ refers to ‘Best high street banking provider for customer satisfaction’ in the building society and banking sector, as reported by The UK Customer Satisfaction Index (January 2026) published by The Institute of Customer Service. Of the 18 banking providers included, our high street banking peer group consists of banking brands with their own branches (excluding hubs and the Post Office).

‘Keep our branches open’ refers to our promise to keep every one of our branches open until at least the start of 2030. Excludes circumstances beyond our control. Branch opening times may vary. Learn more about our Branch Promise.