TSB

TSB is a UK bank offering current accounts, savings accounts, mortgages and credit cards to personal customers, plus business banking through TSB Business. It is best known for its high street presence, particularly in Scotland, and for its Spend & Save current account. Money held with TSB is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person¹, and complaints that TSB cannot resolve can be taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

TSB is a UK bank offering current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and loans, and it also serves business customers through TSB Business. Its Whistletree brand handles mortgages for borrowers whose circumstances mean a standard mortgage is not suitable². The bank also runs a scheme letting people who have experienced domestic or financial abuse open an account without the usual ID in certain areas, and it can make an emergency payment of up to £500 to existing customers who need to leave an abusive relationship².

This page explains what TSB offers across its product range, how its charges work, how to switch to it, how to bank with it, and what protection you have. TSB does not publish rates on this page's sources, so for today's interest rates and product fees, check tsb.co.uk.

TSB accounts and products at a glance

TSB's main personal banking products are its current accounts, savings accounts, credit cards and mortgages. Its flagship current account is Spend & Save, which is managed through the TSB mobile app and Internet Banking. TSB also offers a passbook current account called the Service Account, aimed at customers who prefer to bank in person with a physical record of transactions⁶. Like the largest banks, TSB is required to offer a fee-free basic bank account for people who may not qualify for a standard account⁷.

On the savings side, TSB offers instant access savings accounts that you can apply for online in minutes¹, alongside named accounts such as TSB eSavings, an online easy access account you open and manage in the app, online or over the phone⁸, the TSB Monthly Saver for regular saving, and the TSB Easy Saver. Withdrawals from eSavings are made by transferring to a TSB current or savings account in your own name⁸. For a wider explanation of how these account types work, see our guides to current accounts, savings accounts and ISAs.

TSB also lends. Its mortgages are covered in the next section, and it issues credit cards and acts as a lender for credit agreements². If you are weighing up borrowing options generally, our guides to credit cards, loans and credit scores explain how each works. All money held in TSB current, savings and fixed-term deposit accounts counts towards the one FSCS limit, because the FSCS protects deposits per person, per banking group⁹.

TSB mortgages: who can borrow and how repayment works

TSB lends on residential mortgages, with terms from 1 to 40 years, and usually only lends to customers whose mortgage term ends before they reach 75¹⁰. If you are switching your mortgage to TSB from another lender on a repayment basis, you may be able to borrow up to 90% of your property's value¹⁰. How much you can borrow is worked out from your outgoings as well as your income, so TSB suggests subtracting your total spending from your total income to estimate what you could afford each month¹¹. It also suggests checking your credit rating with an agency such as Experian or Equifax before applying¹¹.

There are three ways to repay what you borrow: gradually, known as a repayment mortgage; as a lump sum at the end, known as an interest-only mortgage; or a mix of the two¹⁰. For interest-only mortgages, TSB accepts repayment plans such as endowment policies, stocks and shares ISAs, investment bonds, or the sale of another property, each with its own rules on how much of the projected value TSB will count¹⁰. Repayment plans cannot include the name of anyone not named on the mortgage, and TSB does not advise on repayment plans or guarantee they will be sufficient¹⁰. New mortgages must be paid by Direct Debit, and TSB will notify you four working days in advance of any change to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit¹⁰.

Buying a home with a mortgage involves several fees. Many lenders charge an up-front arrangement fee for setting up the mortgage, and most charge a fee for valuing the property¹¹. If you are borrowing a high percentage of the property's value, the lender may charge a fee to take out insurance cover¹¹. At TSB, third-party valuations are carried out by RICS qualified surveyors on its behalf through its valuation partner Connells, which also offers two higher levels of survey; TSB does not usually share the report with you, so it suggests arranging your own valuation or survey¹². Buildings cover is needed before you exchange contracts¹¹.

Mortgage charges can also apply later. An early repayment charge may apply if you repay all or part of the loan, or change its terms, within the first few years, and you cannot choose a term that finishes before the early repayment charge period ends¹⁰. When you make your final repayment you might have to pay an early repayment charge, and a closing administration charge of £50 applies on certain mortgages, though not those entered into on or after 1 August 2007¹³. If things go wrong, a solicitor's repossession instructions fee of £125 applies if solicitors are instructed to collect arrears or seek possession, a repossession fee of £350 applies if the property is taken into possession, and you would also pay any third-party costs TSB incurs¹³. An arrears management fee of £35 is no longer charged from 16 May 2018 but remains payable if it was charged before that date¹³.

For how mortgages work generally, see our mortgages and home buying guides.

How TSB current account and overdraft charges work

TSB's everyday banking charges are set out in its Banking Charges Guide. Overdrafts are the main thing to watch: all TSB overdrafts are repayable on demand, meaning TSB can ask for the borrowed amount back at any time¹⁴. There are usually fees or interest if you spend more than you have in your account, including where there is not enough to cover a Direct Debit or standing order¹⁵. Overdraft interest and fees are not fixed figures on this page; TSB's own charges guide and account terms set the current rates, so check tsb.co.uk before going overdrawn.

Other charges are more avoidable. There is a charge for duplicate statements on current and savings accounts, which is one reason TSB encourages paperless banking¹⁶. If you are overdrawn and want to switch to TSB, you will need to pay off the outstanding amount with your old bank, or apply for an overdraft facility with TSB, which is subject to its usual lending criteria³.

If money worries are behind an overdraft problem, free help exists. MoneyHelper explains how to open, switch or close a bank account and what to do if you are struggling¹⁷, and it also has guidance on choosing a bank account if your account receives a Universal Credit payment, including how overdraft fees can affect a tight budget¹⁵. For structured help with problem debts, see our debt guide.

Using a TSB card abroad and sending money overseas

Spending on a TSB debit card outside the UK attracts a non-pounds transaction fee of 2.99% of the payment amount in pounds, and the same 2.99% applies to cash withdrawals in a foreign currency, on TSB's standard accounts¹⁴. Which?'s research on spending abroad, from July 2024, found that a standard TSB debit card incurs fees of 2.99% plus £1 per transaction on purchases, and 1.5% on cash withdrawals with a minimum of £2 and a maximum of £4.50; it calculated that two £50 purchases and three £50 cash withdrawals abroad would result in charges of £15.48¹⁸. TSB does not charge these fees on its Spend & Save Plus or Gold, Platinum and Premier accounts¹⁴. Check TSB's current charges guide before travelling, as fees change.

Sending money abroad from a TSB account also carries fees, which differ by how you send the payment. Using Internet Banking or the mobile app, a payment sent in euros to an EEA country is free, other payments up to £5,000 cost £10, and payments over £5,000 cost £17.50¹⁴. Using Telephone Banking or in branch, a payment sent in euros to an EEA country is free and all other payments cost £20¹⁴. On Cash accounts, payments in pounds within the EU and payments in euros to an EEA country are both free, with other payments costing £20¹⁴. You can make international payments through both Internet Banking and the mobile app¹⁹.

Alternatives can be cheaper. Prepaid travel cards can be used abroad like a debit card²⁰, and our money abroad and money transfers guides compare the options, including how exchange rates and fees combine to determine the real cost.

Ways to bank with TSB: app, online, phone, video and branches

TSB offers four main ways to bank: the mobile app, Internet Banking, telephone banking, and its branch network, with video appointments available for some services such as opening a joint account²¹. The mobile app and Internet Banking between them cover most everyday tasks: you can switch to TSB, close your account, upgrade your account, apply for an overdraft, view and download statements, search your transactions, view card details (app only), get a replacement card, report a lost or stolen card, add your card to Apple Wallet, Google Pay or Samsung Pay, make international payments, and manage your mortgage¹⁹. Chat support is available in the app, though not through Internet Banking¹⁹.

Paperless banking is managed through the app's main menu under "Paperless settings", or in Internet Banking by clicking "Go Paperless", and your Digital Inbox, where TSB sends secure messages, is found in both the app and Internet Banking¹⁶. TSB's official website for logging in is https://www.tsb.co.uk, and it warns customers to use only that address, since fake sites are a common scam tactic⁵.

Branches remain part of the picture but are shrinking. Which? recorded 28 TSB branch closures in 2024²² and eight in 2025, part of 433 closures across all banks during 2025²³. Where a branch has closed, TSB personal and business customers can withdraw cash at any Post Office counter using their debit or ATM card and PIN, use any Post Office ATM free of charge, pay in cash and cheques, and check their balance⁴. Personal customers can also call 03459 758 758, or 020 3284 1575 from outside the UK²⁴. TSB also offers support tailored to individual needs, covering visual, hearing and speech impairments, mobility issues, hidden disabilities, mental health, and life events such as a sudden drop in income, serious illness or the death of someone close; you can request this support by chatting in the app, calling, or visiting a branch²⁵.

Switching to TSB or opening an account

A current account switch to TSB takes seven working days from whenever you start the process. TSB moves your outgoing and incoming payments, transfers your balance on the switch date, redirects payments made to your old account, and refunds any interest and charges if something goes wrong³. You can start a switch through the TSB app or Internet Banking¹⁹, and you can keep using your old bank account up until day six of the switch. To open a TSB account you must be 18 or over and a UK resident³.

Joint accounts work slightly differently. Both applicants need to have a TSB current account or savings account already; you then open a joint account in the app, in branch, or over a video call by booking an appointment²¹. To switch a joint account, you first open the joint account with TSB, then give the details of your old bank and TSB does the rest²¹. You can close a joint account online or in branch, and removing an account holder requires all account holders to agree²¹.

If you hold TSB's older Service Account and want a Spend & Save account instead, you would need to close the Service Account, open a new Spend & Save account, and set up your existing Direct Debits and standing orders on the new account⁶. MoneyHelper explains the switching rules that apply across all banks, including your right to close an account and what to check first¹⁷. If a poor credit history or another barrier makes a standard account difficult, TSB is among the banks required to offer fee-free basic bank accounts⁷, and our current accounts guide explains the options.

Fraud and scams: how TSB refunds and what to watch for

TSB's position on fraud refunds is straightforward: it will investigate all fraud claims, and if you are eligible for a refund, your money will be refunded to your account. It will look at what happened and how it happened, and keep you updated²⁶. There are cases where you will not get your money back, for example if you were involved in the fraud, if you did not show due caution to prevent it, or if it is a purchase dispute rather than fraud²⁶. More generally, if you spot transactions you do not recognise and report them quickly, you will usually get a refund if it is fraud¹⁷. The Financial Ombudsman Service can also look at complaints about how a financial business dealt with a scam involving unauthorised payments, stolen details or identity theft²⁷.

The best protection is spotting the scam before you pay. TSB's rule of thumb is blunt: "If you get a call asking for your full Password or memorable information, it's a scam"⁵. If in doubt, end the call and contact TSB straight away using 159⁵. If you receive a suspicious text, forward it to 7726 to report it to Ofcom as a scam, and use TSB's Scam Checker tool before making any payment you are unsure about⁵. If you have already responded, freeze your card or account⁵. The Information Commissioner's Office handles nuisance calls and refers complaints about fraud and scams to Report Fraud²⁸.

Common scams to watch for include:

• Investment scams: report them to Report Fraud, which also gives advice on scams generally²⁹.
• Holiday and travel fraud: if you think you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to the police through Report Fraud³⁰.
• Doorstep scams: report them to Report Fraud by phone or online, contact Citizens Advice who will pass your report to Trading Standards, call 999 in an emergency or 101 otherwise³¹.
• Fake official calls: government guidance warns of suspicious phone calls, emails and text messages claiming to come from courts and tribunals services; report them to Report Fraud or call 0300 123 2040³².

For a full explanation of how scams work and your rights, see our scams and fraud guide.

Help in difficult times: bereavement, power of attorney and financial abuse

TSB has a support service for customers going through difficult circumstances, covering bereavement, mental health, a sudden reduction in income, serious illness, money worries, persistent debt, gambling, caring for someone, and domestic or financial abuse²⁵. You can ask for this support by chatting in the app, calling, or visiting a branch, and TSB notes that other charities and professional services can give broader and deeper support²⁵.

After a death, there are benefits that may help with immediate costs. Bereavement Support Payment gives financial help to deal with the more immediate costs caused by the death of a spouse or civil partner, and nidirect has more information and an application form³³. A bereavement service can also help relatives access other benefits they may be entitled to³⁴. Our life events and benefits guides set these out in full.

Power of attorney for property and financial affairs is used to help someone deal with debts, mortgaged property and investments³⁵, which matters for TSB accounts held by someone who can no longer manage them. StepChange explains how power of attorney interacts with debts³⁵.

For customers experiencing domestic or financial abuse, TSB offers specific help. It has an emergency flee fund that can provide money to help you leave an abuser³⁶, and an emergency payment of up to £500 is available to existing customers who need to leave an abusive relationship, through all TSB branches³⁷. TSB also lets people open a bank account without the usual ID in areas including Alloa, Dundee, Galashiels, Norwich, Swindon, Walsall and Wolverhampton, for people who have experienced domestic or financial abuse³⁷. Refuge has more information on economic abuse and provides support if you or someone you know might be experiencing it³⁶.

Complaints and how your money is protected

If something goes wrong, complain to TSB first, through the app, by phone or in a branch. If you are still not happy with how the case was dealt with, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman²⁶. The ombudsman can help with complaints about bank accounts and bank cards, insurance for your home, car or travel, and problems with loans³⁸, as well as complaints about how a financial business dealt with a scam²⁷. Its service is free and independent, and its decision is what the business must follow if you accept it.

Your money itself is protected separately. TSB is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Service³. The FSCS protects up to £120,000 of your eligible money at TSB¹, and this includes money in current, saving and fixed-term deposit accounts⁹. Because the limit applies per person, per banking group, all your eligible money across TSB's brands, including Whistletree, counts together towards the one £120,000 limit. You can check any firm's status yourself on the FCA Register. For how the wider protection system works, see our consumer protection guide.