The high street providers are starting to announce their student bank account offers for 2026/27 with Nationwide looking to build on last year’s dominant performance where it took 48% of the market.

Santander has just announced a cash prize draw as part of its student offering with a minimum £20 guaranteed and the chance to win up to £100,000.

Santander is offering a 4 year railcard as well as a maximum £2000 interest free overdraft which falls short of the £3,000 available from Nationwide.

Nationwide is offering a more compelling deal, not just an extra £1,000 overdraft interest free, but also £100 cash incentive and a repeat of last years £120 worth of just eat vouchers.

The just eat promotion was a big success last year with more than half a million take away vouchers downloaded – a massive hit with students.

Interestingly 11% of Nationwide Student bank accounts were opened in branch, showing how those perhaps opening a bank account for the first time, value that face to face service.

Unsurprisingly Nationwide picked up the 2026 Moneynet Award for ‘Best Student Current Account’ in 2026 and it looks like a very strong contender again this year – unless one of the big banks has got something bigger and better up their sleeve – we’ll see what other deals are launched in the next couple of weeks.