Have you ever sent money to someone and realised after the fact that the reference was wrong? Or perhaps you need to set up a new regular payment to an existing payee, but with a different reference to better track your finances? It's a common scenario, and thankfully, Nationwide has made it increasingly easier to manage your payee references.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of amending a payee reference with Nationwide, ensuring your payments are always correctly identified. We'll cover both the mobile app and online banking, highlighting key steps and helpful tips.
Understanding Payee References
A payee reference is essentially a note or label that you attach to a payment. It's crucial for the recipient to understand what the payment is for, especially if they receive many transactions. For example, if you're paying rent, the landlord might ask for a specific reference like "Flat 123 Rent - June." If you're paying a bill, the company might require your account number as the reference.
Why is it important to have the correct reference?
- Accurate Allocation: Ensures the recipient correctly applies the payment to your account or invoice.
- Avoid Delays: Incorrect references can lead to delays in processing payments.
- Clear Record Keeping: Helps you and the recipient keep track of transactions.
Now, let's dive into the step-by-step process of amending a payee reference with Nationwide.
Step 1: Decide Your Method - Mobile App or Online Banking?
Before we even begin, let's figure out what's most convenient for you! Do you prefer the ease of managing your finances on your smartphone, or are you more comfortable with the larger screen and keyboard of your computer? Nationwide offers options for both, and the process is quite similar, though with slight navigational differences.
- Mobile App (Recommended for Quick Changes): Ideal for on-the-go amendments and generally a very intuitive experience. Ensure your Nationwide Banking App is updated to the latest version for the best functionality.
- Online Banking (Internet Bank): Perfect if you prefer a desktop environment or need to manage more complex banking tasks.
Have you decided which method you'll use? Great! Let's proceed.
Step 2: Accessing Your Nationwide Account
This is your gateway to managing your payments.
Using the Mobile App:
- Open the Nationwide Banking App: Locate the Nationwide app icon on your smartphone and tap to open it.
- Log In Securely: You'll be prompted to log in. This usually involves your passnumber, Touch ID, or Face ID, depending on your device and setup. Ensure you're in a secure environment when logging in.
Using Online Banking (Internet Bank):
- Go to the Nationwide Website: Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Nationwide website (www.nationwide.co.uk).
- Locate the "Log In" Button: This is typically found in the top right corner of the homepage. Click on it.
- Enter Your Details: You'll need your customer number, memorable data, and passcode. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your secure login. You might also be asked for a code from your card reader or a biometric authentication via your mobile app if you have it set up.
Step 3: Navigating to Payments
Once you're securely logged in, the next step is to find the payments section.
Mobile App Navigation:
- Tap 'Payments': At the bottom of your home screen within the app, you'll typically see a navigation bar. Look for and tap on the 'Payments' or 'Pay & Transfer' option.
- Choose Your Payment Type: Depending on your app version, you might see options like "Send Money," "Favourite Payees," or "Make a Payment." For amending a reference, you'll usually do this when initiating a new payment to an existing payee.
Online Banking Navigation:
- Select 'Payments & transfers': From the main menu or dashboard of your online banking, click on 'Payments & transfers'.
- Choose Your Account: You'll likely be asked to select the account you wish to make the payment from. Select the appropriate account.
Step 4: Initiating a Payment to an Existing Payee
This is where you'll get the opportunity to amend that pesky reference! Nationwide generally allows you to amend the payee reference at the point of making a payment to an existing payee, rather than editing the payee's saved details directly.
Mobile App - Sending Money to an Existing Payee:
- Select Your Payee:
- Favourite Payees: If the payee is a 'Favourite Payee', you can swipe through the carousel below your account and tap on the payee you want to send money to.
- Make a Payment: Alternatively, after tapping 'Send Money', you can tap 'Make a payment' and then select the payee from your list.
- Pre-filled Details and Amendment Option: Once you select the payee, their details (account number, sort code) will be pre-filled. Crucially, you should see an option to amend the payee reference if required. This is often a dedicated field or a clickable area next to the current reference.
- Enter the New Reference: Carefully type in the desired new reference for this payment. Double-check for any typos! Remember, payee references on Nationwide are typically limited to 18 characters. While some sources suggest more for beneficiary names, the payment reference itself is usually shorter and limited in special characters (e.g., ( ) : . , - are usually supported, but complex symbols might not be).
Online Banking - Sending Money to an Existing Payee:
- Choose 'Pay an Existing Payee' (or similar): After navigating to the payments section, you'll usually find an option to "Pay an existing payee" or "Make a payment." Click on this.
- Select the Payee: From your list of saved payees, select the one you wish to pay.
- Locate the Reference Field: As with the app, the payee's details will be pre-populated. Look for the "Reference" or "Payment Reference" field. This is where you can overwrite the existing reference for this particular payment.
- Input Your New Reference: Enter the new reference clearly and concisely. Adhere to the character limits and supported special characters.
Step 5: Authorising Your Payment (and Amendment)
To ensure the security of your funds and the change you're making, Nationwide will often require you to authorise the payment.
Mobile App Authorisation:
- Biometrics (Face ID/Touch ID/Fingerprint): If you've registered for biometrics, you'll likely be asked to use one of these to authorise the payment. This is often the quickest and most convenient method.
- App Passcode: If biometrics aren't set up or preferred, you might be asked to enter your app passcode.
- Card Reader (less common for in-app payments now): While less common for simple in-app payments, for larger sums or specific security checks, you might still be prompted to use a card reader. If so, have it handy!
Online Banking Authorisation:
- Card Reader: For online banking, a card reader is frequently used to authorise payments, especially for new payees or when making changes like amending a reference. Insert your debit card into the reader and follow the on-screen instructions to generate a code.
- Mobile Phone for Biometrics/Confirmation: Nationwide is increasingly using the mobile app for authorising online banking transactions. You might receive a notification on your phone asking you to confirm the payment via biometrics or your app passcode.
Step 6: Confirmation and Verification
Once you've authorised the payment, you should receive a confirmation that the payment has been sent with the new reference.
- Review the Confirmation Screen: Take a moment to verify that the new reference you entered is displayed on the confirmation screen.
- Check Your Transaction History: After the payment has processed (which is usually instant for Faster Payments), check your account's transaction history in the app or online banking. The description or details of the outgoing payment should reflect the amended reference.
- It's worth noting that while you can amend the outgoing reference, Nationwide's transaction history might not always explicitly display the incoming reference for payments you receive in the same prominent way.
Important Considerations and Tips:
- Existing Standing Orders/Direct Debits: Amending the reference when making a one-off payment does not automatically change the reference for existing standing orders or Direct Debits to that payee. You will need to manage those separately if you wish to change their references. For standing orders, you would typically need to cancel the existing one and set up a new one with the updated reference.
- Deleting and Re-adding Payees: In some rare instances, or if you encounter persistent issues, deleting and re-adding a payee might be an option. However, this is generally not required for simply amending a payment reference. Be cautious when deleting payees as it removes all associated details.
- Confirmation of Payee (CoP): Nationwide uses Confirmation of Payee. When you enter a payee's details and name, the system checks if they match the receiving bank's records. While this primarily focuses on the name, it can sometimes flag issues if a required reference (like a building society roll number) is incorrect. Ensure you have the exact required reference from the payee.
- Security: Always ensure you are on the official Nationwide website or using the official Nationwide app. Be wary of phishing attempts asking for your banking details.
- Contacting Nationwide: If you're struggling to amend a payee reference or have any doubts, don't hesitate to contact Nationwide's customer support via their helpline or by visiting a branch. They can provide specific guidance.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about payee references with Nationwide, starting with 'How to':
How to change a payee's account number or sort code with Nationwide?
You cannot directly amend a payee's account number or sort code. For security reasons, you will need to delete the existing payee and set them up again as a new payee with the correct details.
How to view the reference for a payment I've received in Nationwide?
While you can set the reference for payments you send, viewing the reference for payments you receive can sometimes be less straightforward. It might appear in the transaction description on your full statement (online or paper), but it's not always prominently displayed on the main transaction screen in the app or online banking.
How to set a default payee reference for an existing payee in Nationwide?
Nationwide currently allows you to amend the reference at the point of making a payment. There isn't a widely advertised feature to set a default new reference for an existing payee that automatically applies to all future payments without manual input. Each time you make a payment, you'll have the option to set the reference for that specific payment.
How to amend a payee reference for a Nationwide standing order?
To amend a payee reference for a standing order, you will typically need to cancel the existing standing order and then set up a new standing order with the desired new reference.
How to contact Nationwide customer support for help with payee references?
You can contact Nationwide customer support via their official phone lines, through the secure messaging feature in the mobile app or online banking, or by visiting your local Nationwide branch. Check the Nationwide website for the most up-to-date contact information.
How to ensure my amended payee reference is visible to the recipient?
As long as you enter the reference in the designated field when making the payment, it will be sent with the transaction and should be visible to the recipient on their bank statement. Confirm with your recipient if they received the correct reference.
How to find out the maximum character limit for a Nationwide payee reference?
Nationwide's payee reference field typically has a limit of 18 characters. It's always best to keep it concise and relevant.
How to delete a payee from my Nationwide online banking or mobile app?
You can typically delete a payee by navigating to the 'Payments' or 'Manage Payees' section within online banking or the mobile app. Select the payee you wish to remove and look for a 'Delete Payee' option. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deletion.
How to avoid common mistakes when amending payee references?
- Double-check for typos before confirming the payment.
- Ensure you have the exact reference required by the recipient, especially for bill payments or specific accounts.
- Be aware that changing a reference for a one-off payment doesn't change existing recurring payments.
How to verify if a payment with an amended reference has gone through correctly?
After making the payment, check your transaction history in the Nationwide app or online banking. The payment should show as successfully processed, and the details associated with the payment should include the amended reference you provided. You can also confirm with the recipient that they have received the payment with the correct reference.
