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FlexDirect current account

Our online current account with access to 2% in-credit interest and an interest-free arranged overdraft for the first 12 months.

Switch to a FlexDirect and you could get up to £125

If you're not yet a member, you could get £100. If you're already a member, you could get £125. It’s another example of our mutual difference and giving back to our members. Complete a full switch online to a FlexDirect from another building society or a bank, and make sure you switch over 2 Direct Debits as part of your switch. We may change, replace or withdraw this offer at any time. Terms and conditions apply.

Find out more about how to get our switch offer

Why choose our FlexDirect

  • Get interest on your money

    2% AER (1.98% gross a year) fixed for 12 months on balances up to £1,500. You’ll need to pay in at least £1,000 a month, not counting transfers from other Nationwide accounts or Visa credits. After the first 12 months, it’s 0.25% AER (0.24% gross a year) variable. Interest is calculated on the last day of each month and is paid on the first day of the next month. Find out about our interest rates.

  • Interest-free arranged overdraft for 12 months

    After 12 months, an interest rate of 39.9% APR Representative (variable) will apply to your arranged overdraft. Before we can offer you one, we’ll need to look at your circumstances.

  • 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.

To apply for FlexDirect

You need to:

Important:

Have you had a FlexDirect account before?

If you’ve had a FlexDirect account before, you won’t receive the 12 month credit interest offer or the interest-free overdraft offer again. However, you will get the offer on a new joint account, as long as you have not shared a FlexDirect account with that person before.

Ready to apply?

If you've already researched FlexDirect and know it’s the right bank account for you.

Make banking easier with our secure app

  • Manage all your Nationwide accounts in one place
  • View and search your transactions
  • Freeze and unfreeze your Visa Debit card
  • Report your card lost or stolen and order a new card
Take a tour of our Banking app

Manage your account your way

Designed for online and over the phone

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

Pay with your phone

You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Paym.

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.

Bank together

You can open your FlexDirect as a joint bank account or add someone to it later. This could be a partner, a family member or a friend.

Visa debit card

You can make contactless payments up to £100 with your Visa debit card.

Optional chequebook

You can get a chequebook on request.

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 Pay and Android are trademarks of Google LLC. Samsung and Samsung Pay are trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Arranged overdrafts

You can apply for an arranged overdraft at any time. When you do, we’ll look at your circumstances to see if we can offer you one. You’ll need to be 18 or over and a UK resident.

Find out more about overdrafts using our:

Overdrafts page – to understand how they work.

Overdraft calculator – to see how much one might cost.

Arranged overdraft eligibility tool for FlexDirect – to find out much we might be able to offer you, without affecting your credit score. If you do choose to continue, we’ll carry out a full credit check.

The representative example shows you the rate of interest we charge for arranged overdrafts. For FlexDirect, this example shows the cost once any interest-free period has ended.

If you’re in the first 12 months of opening your first FlexDirect current account, we don’t charge interest on arranged overdraft use. It’s interest free.

FlexDirect Arranged Overdraft Representative Example:

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

How does our arranged overdraft compare?

A good way to compare the cost of our arranged overdraft with other overdrafts or ways of borrowing is to look at the representative APR.

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It includes all the costs of borrowing including certain account fees and promotional rates.

Note:

Staying in your arranged overdraft over a long period can be an expensive way to borrow.

In-credit interest rates

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

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

2% AER
(1.98% gross a year)

0% AER (0% gross a year)

Standard rate

Ongoing variable rate once any offer period has ended

0.25% AER
(0.24% gross a year).

0% AER (0% gross a year)

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.

Switching to Nationwide

Fast — switch in just 7 working days. You choose the date, and we’ll let you know when it’s done.

Seamless — a dedicated team does it all for you. They’ll switch your payments, balance and even your list of payees.

Guaranteed — there shouldn't be any problems but if there are, you won't lose a penny.

Fees, charges and important documents

Before you apply, make sure you read the:

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 FlexDirect.
Apply for 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.

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, 936KB)

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).