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Choose by checking the legal entity, deposit protection, eligibility, cash access, borrowing options and support arrangements. This guide explains how each model works in the UK, what happens if a provider fails, and how to find a basic account when an ordinary current account is unavailable.
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What counts as an alternative bank account?
“Alternative” describes the provider’s ownership, licence or delivery model rather than a single product. You may still receive a sort code and account number, set up Direct Debits and receive wages, but the rules behind the account can be very different.
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- Building societies are mutual deposit-taking institutions owned by their members. They commonly offer savings, mortgages and current accounts, with service through branches, telephone banking and online channels.
- Credit unions are member-owned cooperatives that take savings and make loans to people who meet a common-bond rule, such as living in a particular area or working for a qualifying employer.
- App-based accounts are accessed mainly through a smartphone. The provider may be a PRA-authorised bank, an electronic-money institution (EMI) or an authorised payment institution (API). The regulatory status, not the interface, determines protection.
- Basic bank accounts are a safety-net form of bank account for people who cannot obtain or do not need a standard current account.
In 2024, more than 97% of UK adults had a current account, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Yet 0.9 million adults were unbanked and 4.3 million held a basic bank account, showing why alternatives and fallback accounts remain important.
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Building societies: mutual banking with a branch tradition
How ownership affects the service
A building society is owned by its members rather than external shareholders. Members are usually savers, borrowers or both. Surpluses can be retained to strengthen the society, invested in service, or returned indirectly through product pricing. This structure does not guarantee better rates or service, but it gives the organisation a different purpose from a shareholder-owned bank.
Eligibility and products
Many building societies accept customers nationwide, although some have regional membership rules or products restricted to people with a local connection. Typical services include savings accounts, cash ISAs, mortgages and, for some societies, full current accounts with debit cards and Direct Debits. Check the individual society’s eligibility, account tariff and whether it participates in the Current Account Switch Service before applying.
Access and cash
Compared with app-only providers, a building society may offer staffed branches, counter cash deposits, cash withdrawals and face-to-face help. Branch networks differ greatly, so verify opening hours and the nearest location rather than assuming a mutual has a convenient branch. Telephone and online support may supplement, rather than replace, branch service.
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- Useful when: you value in-person help, want a savings-and-mortgage relationship, or prefer a member-owned institution.
- Check carefully: some societies have limited current-account functionality, fewer branches than their reputation suggests, or products available only in a defined area.
- Protection: eligible deposits at a PRA-authorised building society are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000 per depositor per authorised institution. The limit applies across accounts you hold with the same authorised institution, not separately to each account.
Credit unions: cooperative savings and loans
Membership comes first
You normally must satisfy a credit union’s common bond before joining. The bond can be based on where you live, work, study or worship, or on membership of a qualifying association. A credit union cannot generally be treated as an open-to-everyone current-account provider. Ask what evidence is accepted and whether you must maintain membership savings.
What a credit union offers
The core service is pooled savings used to fund affordable loans for members. Some unions provide a debit account or payment card, but many concentrate on savings and borrowing rather than a full replacement for a high-street current account. Loan decisions are based on the union’s affordability assessment and rules; approval is not automatic, and terms vary by union.
Protection and governance
Eligible deposits at a PRA-authorised credit union have FSCS protection up to £85,000 per depositor per authorised institution. Confirm the union’s regulated status and the exact legal name before depositing money. Member ownership can support a community focus, but it does not remove the need to check financial strength, fees, access arrangements and complaint procedures.
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Policy changes in England
HM Treasury’s 2025 Financial Inclusion Strategy announced a £30 million transformation fund for credit unions in England and said the government is pursuing reforms to common-bond rules. These initiatives may broaden membership or improve technology over time; they do not change the eligibility rules of a particular union today. Use the union’s current published criteria when applying.
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- You meet the common-bond requirement and want a local, member-owned savings relationship.
- You need an affordable loan and are prepared to become a member and complete an affordability assessment.
- You can use another account for services the union does not provide, such as extensive online payments or a broad branch network.
App-based accounts: the interface is not the protection
Three legal models
| Provider behind the app | What your balance represents | Failure protection | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRA-authorised bank | A bank deposit | Eligible deposits covered by FSCS up to £85,000 per depositor per authorised institution | What is the authorised legal entity and does the FSCS limit already include my other accounts with it? |
| Electronic-money institution (EMI) | Electronic money, not a bank deposit | No FSCS deposit protection; funds are safeguarded | Where are funds safeguarded, how are claims handled on insolvency, and how can I obtain statements if the app is unavailable? |
| Authorised payment institution (API) | Payment-account funds held under safeguarding rules | No FSCS deposit protection; funds are safeguarded | Which regulated firm is responsible, and what cash or card access remains during an outage? |
The FCA warns that if a non-bank payment provider fails, money is not protected by the FSCS. Safeguarding separates customer funds from the firm’s own money, but an insolvency practitioner may need to identify and return funds. Recovery can take time and may be reduced by insolvency costs, so it is not equivalent to FSCS cover.
How to identify the legal entity
- Open the app’s legal or regulatory information, terms and conditions, or “who we are” page. Record the exact company name, not just the trading name.
- Search that name on the FCA Financial Services Register. Check the status (bank, EMI or API), permissions and any trading-name match.
- For a claimed bank account, verify that the bank is covered by the FSCS and understand which authorised institution holds the deposit. Several brands can share one banking licence, so the £85,000 limit may be aggregated.
- For an EMI or API, read the safeguarding explanation and insolvency process. Keep independent records of balances and transactions.
Digital tools and their limits
App accounts can provide instant notifications, card controls, budgeting categories, in-app support and integration with other financial services. The FCA’s 2024 survey found that 17% of adults with a day-to-day account used an account-aggregation service, up from 11% in 2022, and 19% allowed a company to access account information for personalised results. These tools require consent and can create privacy, security and availability concerns. Review permissions regularly and revoke access you no longer need.
Cash, outages and accessibility
Before relying on an app as your only account, check how you obtain cash, make deposits, replace a phone or SIM, and contact support if you are locked out. Download statements periodically and keep a second payment method for an outage. An app may be a good supplement even when it is unsuitable as the sole home for an emergency fund.
Protection: FSCS cover versus safeguarding
FSCS deposit protection
The FSCS covers eligible deposits held with PRA-authorised banks, building societies and credit unions up to £85,000 per depositor per authorised institution. The limit is not £85,000 per product: current accounts, savings accounts and cash ISAs at the same authorised institution are normally counted together. Joint-account treatment and temporary high balances have specific rules, so check the FSCS guidance for your circumstances.
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Safeguarding at non-banks
EMIs and APIs must safeguard customer funds, usually by segregating them from operating money or using an insurance or comparable arrangement. Safeguarding is designed to protect customers if the firm fails, but it does not provide the FSCS’s compensation mechanism. Administrators may need to reconcile millions of transactions before returning money, and administration expenses can be deducted. Treat a safeguarded balance as a different risk category from a protected bank deposit.
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A practical protection check
- Identify the regulated entity and licence on the FCA Register.
- Confirm whether the product is a deposit or electronic money/payment funds.
- Aggregate balances across brands that use the same banking licence when considering the £85,000 limit.
- Spread cash between separately authorised institutions only if doing so suits your access and record-keeping needs.
Comparison of the main alternatives
| Criterion | Building society | Credit union | App-based bank | App-based EMI/API |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and purpose | Member-owned mutual focused on savings, mortgages and banking | Member-owned cooperative focused on savings and loans | Shareholder-owned bank delivered mainly through an app | Payment or e-money provider, often technology-led |
| Eligibility | Often broad, but can be regional or product-specific | Common-bond or membership rule normally required | Identity, age and residency checks; usually open to eligible consumers | Identity, age and residency checks; account and country availability vary |
| Protection | FSCS up to £85,000 if the society and deposit qualify | FSCS up to £85,000 if the union and deposit qualify | FSCS up to £85,000 if the bank and deposit qualify | No FSCS; safeguarding applies |
| Monthly fees and transaction charges | Product-specific; read the tariff | Product-specific; membership or transaction charges may apply | Product-specific; foreign-spending and premium-plan fees vary | Product-specific; check card, cash, exchange and transfer charges |
| Overdraft | Available only on some current accounts and subject to assessment | Often not a standard feature; lending is union-specific | Depends on the bank and credit assessment | Usually no bank overdraft; any credit feature has separate terms |
| Branches and cash | Possible branch and counter access; network varies | Local office or partner access may be limited | Usually limited physical access; check cash arrangements | Usually no branches; cash access depends on card and partners |
| App and online tools | Ranges from basic online banking to full apps | Varies widely by union | Usually central to the service | Usually central to the service |
| Lending | Mortgages and selected personal lending | Member loans, often with a community focus | Overdrafts, cards and loans subject to assessment | Credit may be absent or supplied by a separate firm |
Fees, exchange rates, savings returns and borrowing costs change frequently. Compare the current tariff and representative loan information at the point of application rather than relying on a historical headline rate or switching incentive.
Basic bank accounts when a standard current account is unavailable
What a basic account does
A basic bank account is designed to provide essential payment services without an overdraft. It should let you receive wages or benefits, pay bills by Direct Debit or standing order, use a debit card and withdraw cash. Standard sterling operations are provided without fees, and the provider normally uses a soft credit check rather than assessing you for borrowing. You cannot use an overdraft, so a payment may be declined if there is not enough money.
Who must offer one
Nine large providers are legally required to offer basic bank accounts to qualifying consumers who are legally resident in the UK and do not have a suitable account. Eligibility and acceptable identity documents still apply. A refusal should come with an explanation and information about how to complain.
Service quality is not uniform
In 298 FCA mystery shops reported in 2025, 28% of basic-account applications were rated good or very good, 38% fair, 20% poor and 14% very poor. The results show why applicants should ask about accessibility, cash deposits, branch alternatives and support rather than assuming every basic account works the same way.
Application steps
- Explain that you are seeking a basic bank account and ask which documents prove identity and UK residence.
- Submit the application and disclose any existing account, insolvency restriction or fraud-prevention issue accurately. A soft credit check is not the same as a lending decision.
- Confirm the fee-free scope, cash withdrawal limits, card delivery process and how benefits or wages will be credited.
- If refused, request the reason in writing, use the provider’s complaints process and consider another legally required provider or free debt and money guidance.
Branch and cash access for people who do not bank online
Digital banking is widespread but not universal. HM Treasury reported that 7% of day-to-day account holders—about 3.3 million people—did not bank online or use a mobile app in 2024. Reasons include disability, poor connectivity, confidence, device cost, security concerns and personal preference.
Banking hubs
More than 180 banking hubs were operating when HM Treasury published its 2025 Financial Inclusion Strategy, with a commitment to reach 350 by the end of the parliament. Hubs provide shared counter services and, in some locations, scheduled staff from individual banks. Availability and services differ by site, so check the local hub’s timetable before travelling.
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Post Office and other cash options
Many banks allow withdrawals and, sometimes, deposits through the Post Office under their own terms. Limits, supported transactions and identification requirements vary. Ask your provider whether cash deposits are accepted, whether a fee applies and how quickly the transaction appears in your balance. Keep a record of receipts.
Designing a non-digital fallback
- Choose an account with telephone support and paper statements if you need them.
- Nominate a trusted person only through a formal third-party mandate or power of attorney; never share your password or one-time codes.
- Keep emergency cash within safe, lawful limits and maintain an alternative way to pay if a card or app fails.
How to choose and open an alternative account
Step 1: Define the job the account must do
List the payments that cannot fail: salary or benefits, rent, utilities, subscriptions, cash withdrawals and overseas spending. Decide whether you need an overdraft, savings facility, loan, branch visit or only a card for day-to-day purchases. This prevents choosing an attractive app that cannot handle cash deposits or a credit union that does not provide a full current account.
Step 2: Check eligibility before sharing documents
For a credit union, confirm the common bond. For a building society, check geographic or product restrictions. For an app provider, check age, residency, identity-document and phone requirements. Ask whether a failed application leaves a hard credit-search footprint; a payment account should not normally require a lending search, but the provider’s policy controls.
Step 3: Verify the licence and protection
Use the FCA Financial Services Register and the provider’s legal terms. Record the authorised entity, FSCS status or safeguarding arrangement, and any banking group that already holds your deposits. Do not rely on an app-store description, a debit-card logo or a familiar brand name.
Step 4: Compare the complete tariff
- Monthly account or plan fee.
- Cash withdrawal and cash-deposit charges.
- Foreign-currency exchange rate and overseas card fees.
- Replacement-card, transfer and expedited-payment charges.
- Overdraft interest and arranged or unarranged fees, if an overdraft exists.
- Minimum savings, membership contributions or loan-related charges at a credit union.
Step 5: Test access and support
Find the nearest branch, hub or Post Office option; check telephone hours; read how the provider communicates outages; and confirm how to obtain statements if the app is unavailable. Consider screen-reader compatibility, authentication alternatives and the process for changing a phone number.
Step 6: Open, fund and migrate safely
- Open the new account and make a small test payment in and out.
- Move salary or benefits only after the account details are confirmed by the payer.
- List every Direct Debit, standing order and recurring card payment. The Current Account Switch Service can move eligible payments when both providers participate; otherwise contact each biller yourself.
- Keep the old account open until several payment cycles have completed and no pending transactions remain.
- Download statements and store the new provider’s complaints and insolvency contact details offline.
Resilience, complaints and fraud controls
When an app or card stops working
Check the provider’s service-status page and official communications, then try an alternative connection or card if safe. Do not repeatedly reinstall an app if you may lose locally stored authentication data. Contact support through a verified channel, never through an unsolicited message. A second account at a separately authorised institution can provide continuity, but it adds administration and may affect FSCS aggregation if both accounts use the same licence.
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Complaints route
Complain to the provider first and keep the reference number, dates and documents. If the final response does not resolve the issue, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be available for eligible complaints. FSCS claims and payment-provider insolvency administration are separate processes; a complaint does not itself recover safeguarded funds.
Fraud and account takeover
- Use a unique passcode and enable biometric or multi-factor security where available.
- Never disclose one-time codes to someone who calls claiming to be your bank, building society or app provider.
- Set transaction alerts and freeze a card immediately if it is lost.
- Review open-banking and aggregation permissions and remove providers you no longer recognise.
Which alternative is likely to suit you?
Choose a building society when
You want mutual ownership, may need branch or telephone help, and are comfortable checking a society’s geographic coverage and product range. It is a credible main-account option when the society offers the payment features you require and your deposits qualify for FSCS protection.
Choose a credit union when
You meet the common bond and value community-based saving or an affordable-loan assessment. Treat membership savings and loan terms as part of the decision, and keep another account if the union does not provide all your payment needs.
Choose a bank delivered through an app when
You are comfortable with digital self-service and want app-led controls, provided the underlying bank is clearly identified and FSCS eligibility is confirmed. Plan for phone loss, outages and cash requirements before making it your only account.
Use an EMI or API account when
The payment features solve a specific problem—such as spending or receiving money in a supported currency—and you understand that safeguarding is not FSCS deposit protection. Keep large or emergency balances in appropriately protected deposits unless you have a reason to accept the different insolvency risk.
Start with a basic bank account when
You have been refused a standard current account, need wages or benefits and bill payments, or want to avoid overdraft borrowing. It supplies essential functions without lending, and you can reassess later if your circumstances change.
Bottom line for choosing safely
The safest comparison starts with the licence, not the logo. A building society, credit union or app can all be suitable, but only eligible deposits with an FSCS-covered bank, building society or credit union receive the £85,000 compensation protection. A non-bank app safeguards funds under a different regime that may involve delays and insolvency costs. Match the account to your need for cash, branches, borrowing and digital tools; verify the regulated entity on the FCA Register; and keep a practical fallback for outages or loss of phone access.
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