A current account with Metro Bank can be opened either in-store or online with no need for an appointment. It offers a range of benefits, including free transactions in Europe and guaranteed switching in 7 days.
Compare Metro Bank’s current accounts
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What is Metro Bank?
Metro Bank is a challenger bank, but not a digital-only one. It does have branches and they’re open 7 days a week, up to 12 hours a day.
It’s all about better customer service and transparency. You don’t need an appointment to open a bank account.
It was founded in 2010 and by June 2022 it had more than 2.6 million customers, making it one of the most widely used challengers around.
Types of current accounts from Metro Bank
Metro Bank’s current accounts come in two forms: the current account and the cash account. Both offer a range of tantalising features.
Current account
The eye-catching feature of Metro Bank’s main current account is that it doesn’t charge for use in Europe. You can set up the account in-store or online, it’s up to you. Also, with the Current Account Switch Service, you’re guaranteed a 7-day switch, including direct debits and standing orders.
Cash account
Metro Bank also offers a simplified version of their current account for those wanting to keep things super straightforward. It’s similar to the current account in that it can be opened instantly and offers contactless payment. The big difference is that it doesn’t provide an overdraft or Direct Debit payments. The cash account also has some restrictions on overseas use and transactions. It can’t be used outside of the United Kingdom, aside from places where the Link logo is displayed on a cash machine.
Children’s account
Metro bank does not really have any accounts meant exclusively for children. However, it does offer two types of accounts that can be opened by under 18s. Cash accounts and an easy-access savings account. Your kid can get both these accounts and enjoy the full “grown-up” banking experience, learning both how to deal with day-to-day spending and with savings. Learn more about these children accounts offered by Metro Bank.
Business accounts
With Metro Bank, you have several different business accounts to choose from. The bank offers an account designed to support small businesses with a turnover of under £2 million a year, as well as an account for larger businesses with an annual turnover of above £2 million. In addition, Metro Bank offers an account for dealing in foreign currencies, an account for community groups and an account for insolvency professionals.
Learn more about business accounts
How does Metro Bank current account work?
You can open a Metro Bank current account both online (with a selfie) and in person. You’re eligible if you’re a UK resident and 18 or over. You’re going to need a proof of identity and a proof of address.
If you aren’t a UK or EU national, you’re also going to need a valid visa, and you won’t be able to open the account online.
Once you’re registered, you get:
- Account. It’s a full UK current account, including direct debits and overdraft options.
- Mastercard contactless debit card. If you apply in person, they’ll print it instantly for you, otherwise they’ll send it over to your address.
- App. You can use it to manage all of your Metro Bank accounts. It looks clean and tidy and it includes spending summaries and Insights, a feature that creates personalised spending reports on your money habits.
Alternatively, you can also open a Metro Bank cash account, which is a more basic account that doesn’t allow direct debits and overdrafts, and whose card can’t be used outside the UK. You still need to be resident in the UK, but minors as young as 11 can open one.
Metro Bank customer reviews
Metro Bank was ranked eighteenth out of 18 current account providers in our independent 2023 customer satisfaction survey. Its users gave the bank 3 out of 5 stars and 65% said they’d recommend the current account service. Users highlighted the bank’s helpful customer service staff and convenient branch locations. Here’s what some of those Metro Bank customers had to say in our survey:
“Very friendly in branch and customer service.”
“Excellent service.”
“It is a good basic provider. I joined with an offer but it was less good when the offer ran out.”
On the Apple App Store, Metro Bank’s mobile banking app scored 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on a total of 163,700 user reviews. On the Google Play Store, it scores 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 38,000 reviews (last updated, June 2023).
Pros and cons of banking with Metro Bank
- Perks. No charges for use in Europe, zero monthly fees, contactless payment.
- Multiple ways to bank. You can manage your account both in a high street branch and online.
- Mobile banking. Metro Bank has an app that allows you to see all your accounts in one place, including the ones you have with other banks.
- Global acceptance. If you bank with Metro Bank you’ll get either a Visa or a Mastercard, so you really don’t have to worry about card acceptance, no matter where you are in the world.
- Round the clock assistance. If you lose your card, or if it’s stolen, you can call Metro Bank 24/7 to get assistance.
- Waiting times in-branch can vary. While Metro Bank’s branches have more generous opening hours than its competitors, wait times in-branch can vary depending on the time of day.
Customer service information for Metro Bank
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Opening an account with Metro Bank
To open an account with Metro Bank, simply go into a branch or apply online. If you’re aged 18 and are a UK, EEA or Swiss citizen not in full-time education, you’ll only need a small amount of information. You’ll need proof of your identity and up to two documents for proof of address.
You can open an account with Metro Bank online or in person at a high street branch.
Our verdict
The unique selling point of this account is that there are no charges for spending or cash withdrawals in Europe. It’s rare to find this. Another key way in which Metro Bank aims to differentiate itself is via the quality of its in-branch banking services. If these are things that might help you out, a Metro Bank current account could suit you.
Frequently asked questions
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Metro Bank’s current accounts, like many others, don’t pay interest. If this is a higher priority than everyday transactions, it would be best to try a savings account rather than a current account.
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You can take out up to £300 per day from cash machines and up to £1,000 a day in-store if you’re over 16. If you want to withdraw an amount greater than £1,000 you’ll have to give Metro Bank one weekday’s notice.
Banking scores
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
To find out more, read our full methodology.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circ*mstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
