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Current account applications

Everything you need to know about applying for one of our bank accounts.

On this page:

What you'll need to apply online

Make sure you’re eligible

  • For a Current Account, you must:

    • be aged 16 or over
    • be a UK resident.

  • For an Everyday Extra, you must:

    • be 18 to 79 years old
    • meet the UK residency eligibility criteria
    • be registered with a UK medical practitioner.

  • For a Cashminder, you must:

    • be aged 16 or over
    • be a UK resident.

Interested in an overdraft?

Our standard Current Account and Everyday Extra come with the option to apply for an overdraft. You must be 18 or over, a UK resident and either employed, self-employed or retired (including medically retired) to request this as part of your application.

Approval for the overdraft is based on a credit check and an assessment of your personal circumstances.

Joint accounts

Both of you will need to meet this eligibility requirement and provide this information.

It’s important to understand the risks and benefits of opening a joint bank account (including the long term effects it can have on your credit score).

You will need:

  • your annual income details, including benefits or
pension

  • your employment details

  • your home addresses over the last 3 years

  • a UK mobile number – for one time passcodes
(OTPs) and application updates

  • an email address – you can choose to get
application updates sent to it too.

Your first OTP will come from an unfamiliar number

It will be from +447537152178. You’ll also get a text with a link to the application portal – this is unusual for us, but safe. You can also access the portal on this page.

We may also need to verify your identity

During the application, you may need to use Onfido (our simple and secure identity verification partner) to:

  • provide a photo of your UK passport, UK-issued photocard driving licence of residence
  • take a selfie – you’ll need to be applying on a device with a camera and to use a photo that’s suitable for our team to review.

If you do not have these documents or cannot provide them online, you can get support and book an appointment to speak with someone on a video call or over the phone. Read more about identification verification.

How the credit check works

We use an external credit reference agency to help us decide whether to accept your application. When doing so we’ll consider your credit history, your personal circumstances and our lending policy.

How long applications take

If you have everything you need to hand it should take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete the form (depending on which account you're applying for).

We'll usually be in touch to let you know whether your application was successful within 24 hours (although it may take longer in some cases).

Get updates in your application portal

Once you've submitted your application and received a text message or email from us saying we received your application, you can check the status of it by logging into your application portal.

Continue to application portal

Be scam aware

Never tell ANYONE your OTP. If someone calls you and asks for this, it's a scam.

About the application portal

The application portal is a secure place to see the progress of your applications.

If we need any more documents from you before we can confirm the outcome of your application, we'll also ask for these via the portal.

Applications for some account types will not appear in the portal.

Understanding application outcomes

Learn about what your application outcome means, how to provide documents and what you can do next.

Read more about application outcomes

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is a free to use, government supported advice service to help you with a variety of financial situations. Their aim is to provide you with clear money and pension guidance, online or over the phone.

Get help with banking, budgeting and credit

Watch out for fraud

Fraudsters are posing as us and sending fake text messages and emails. Always check you're on our genuine website by checking the web address at the top of your browser.

Learn about common and new scams, find helpful tips and guides for staying safe, and discover independent organisations available to help you in the fight against fraud.

Find more on our security and fraud hub

We are Fraud Fighters Co-operative Bank branded logo

Legal information

The Co-operative Bank reserves the right to decline any application.

Whether we can offer you an account, and whether we can offer you credit, depends on your circumstances and our lending policy. We may be able to offer a product that's different to the one advertised.

The Co-operative Bank and smile are trading names of The Co-operative Bank plc, which is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Find out more about Financial Services Compensation Scheme | This will open in a new tab

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. are protected up to a total of £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: The Co-operative Bank and smile. Any total deposits you hold above the limit between these brands are unlikely to be covered.

Please click here for further information or visit www.fscs.org.uk

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