Have you decided it's time to bid farewell to your Nationwide account on your iPhone app? Perhaps you're consolidating your banking, moving to a new provider, or simply decluttering your financial life. Whatever your reason, closing a bank account, even digitally, requires a few careful steps to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any unexpected hitches. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of closing your Nationwide account using their iPhone app, ensuring you're fully prepared and informed every step of the way.
Let's dive in and get you sorted!
Preparing for Account Closure: The Essential Pre-Checks
Before you even think about tapping that "Close Account" button, there are crucial preparations you need to make. Skipping these steps can lead to inconvenience, missed payments, or even a negative impact on your credit score.
How To Close Nationwide Account On App On Iphone |
Step 1: Drain Your Account - Where's the Money Going?
This might seem obvious, but it's the most critical first step. You cannot close an account with a positive balance. You need to transfer all funds out of your Nationwide account.
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Sub-heading: Methods for Fund Transfer
- Option A: Transfer to another Nationwide account. If you have another Nationwide account (e.g., a savings account), this is often the simplest and quickest method. Transfers between your own Nationwide accounts are usually instant.
- Option B: Transfer to an external bank account. If you're moving your funds to a different bank, you'll need to set up a new payee within the Nationwide app. Ensure you have the recipient account's sort code and account number readily available.
- Option C: Withdraw cash. For smaller balances, you might consider withdrawing the remaining funds from a Nationwide ATM.
- Option D: Request a cheque. Nationwide can issue a cheque for your remaining balance, sent to your registered address. Be aware that this method can take longer and the cheque needs to be deposited into another account.
Important Note: Double-check your balance is exactly £0 (or as close to it as possible) before proceeding. Some accounts may have a nominal amount of interest added after you've made your initial transfer, so it's wise to leave a small buffer or check again a day or two later.
Step 2: Reroute Your Financial Flow - Direct Debits & Standing Orders
Closing your Nationwide account will cancel all associated Direct Debits and Standing Orders. This is paramount. If you rely on these for essential bills (utilities, mortgage, rent, subscriptions), you must make alternative arrangements before closing your account.
Sub-heading: Identifying and Changing Payments
- Review your statements: Go through your recent Nationwide statements (available in the app or Internet Bank) to identify all recurring payments.
- Contact payees: For each Direct Debit or Standing Order, contact the service provider (e.g., utility company, gym, landlord) and provide them with your new bank account details. Do this well in advance of your account closure date to avoid missed payments and potential late fees.
- Inform income sources: If you receive regular income into your Nationwide account (salary, benefits, pension), inform the payers of your new bank details.
Pro Tip: It's a good idea to keep your new bank account open and funded for a little while alongside your Nationwide account during this transition period, just in case any payments are delayed or you miss one.
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Step 3: Check for Outstanding Charges or Overdrafts
You cannot close a Nationwide account if it has an overdraft or any outstanding charges.
Sub-heading: Clearing Your Account
- Clear any overdraft: If you have an arranged or unarranged overdraft, you'll need to pay this off in full before proceeding.
- Pay off any outstanding fees: Check your account for any pending charges, such as un-cleared cheques or recent transactions that haven't fully processed.
The Step-by-Step Guide: Closing Your Nationwide Account on iPhone App
While Nationwide strongly recommends using their Internet Bank for account closure, you can initiate some steps and manage your account in preparation through the app. As of my last update, direct account closure might not be a standalone "one-tap" feature within the app itself, but the app is crucial for preparatory steps and managing your account before final closure via the Internet Bank.
This guide focuses on preparing and managing your account using the iPhone app, with the understanding that the final closure instruction typically happens via the Internet Bank after your app-based preparations.
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
Step 1: Accessing Your Nationwide Banking App
- Open the Nationwide Banking App: Find the Nationwide icon on your iPhone's home screen and tap to open it.
- Log In Securely: Enter your passnumber or use Touch ID/Face ID if you have it enabled. Ensure you are logging into the correct account if you have multiple Nationwide accounts.
Step 2: Navigating to Your Accounts
Once logged in, you'll typically see an overview of your accounts.
- Select the Account to Close: Tap on the specific Nationwide account you wish to close from your list of accounts. This will take you to the account's details and recent transactions.
Step 3: Managing Funds and Payments (Using the App's Features)
This is where the app becomes your primary tool for preparation.
Sub-heading: Transferring Funds Out
- Tap on 'Payments & Transfers': This option is usually found in the main menu (often accessible via a hamburger icon ☰ or similar) or directly on the account details screen.
- Choose 'Pay or move money':
- To transfer to another Nationwide account, select "One of your Nationwide accounts" and follow the on-screen prompts to move the funds.
- To transfer to an external account, select "Someone new" or "Another bank account" (wording may vary slightly). You'll need to enter the sort code, account number, and payee name. You might be asked to verify this payment using your card reader or other security measures.
- Verify Transfer Limits: Be mindful of daily transfer limits within the app. If your balance is substantial, you may need to make multiple transfers over several days or use the Internet Bank for higher limits.
Sub-heading: Managing Direct Debits and Standing Orders
- Locate 'Manage Payments' or 'Direct Debits/Standing Orders': Within the "Payments & Transfers" section or a general "Manage" section for your account, you should find options to view and manage your recurring payments.
- Review and Note Down: Go through each Direct Debit and Standing Order. Note down the payee, amount, and frequency. The app allows you to view these, but for canceling and setting them up elsewhere, you'll need to contact the payee directly as mentioned in the "Preparing" section.
Step 4: Confirming a Zero Balance
After you've transferred all funds and rerouted payments, regularly check your Nationwide account balance via the app.
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- Refresh Your Account View: Pull down on the screen or tap a refresh icon to ensure you have the most up-to-date balance.
- Verify £0 Balance: Ensure the balance reads £0.00. If any small amounts remain (e.g., a few pence of interest), transfer them out.
Step 5: Final Closure (Via Nationwide Internet Bank)
Important clarification: As per Nationwide's official guidance, the final instruction to close an account is typically done through their Internet Bank, not directly within the app's primary interface. The app is excellent for managing funds and reviewing account activity in preparation.
- Access Nationwide Internet Bank: On your iPhone, open your web browser (Safari, Chrome) and go to the Nationwide website (nationwide.co.uk). Log in to the Internet Bank using your credentials.
- Navigate to Account Services: Once logged into the Internet Bank:
- Choose the account you want to close.
- Look for an option like "Other Account Services" or "Account Management."
- Select "Close Account."
- Follow On-Screen Instructions: Nationwide will guide you through the final steps. This may involve confirming you've cleared the balance and re-routed payments.
- Confirmation: You should receive an on-screen confirmation and likely an email or secure message confirming your account closure request.
What if I don't have access to the Internet Bank? If you absolutely cannot access the Internet Bank, you might need to contact Nationwide directly by phone or visit a branch. Their customer service lines can assist with account closure once all preliminary steps (like clearing the balance) are complete.
What Happens After Account Closure?
- Confirmation: Nationwide will typically send you written confirmation (via post or secure message) once the account is officially closed.
- Direct Debits & Standing Orders: Any Direct Debits or Standing Orders still linked to the closed account will be rejected. This is why the preparation steps are so vital.
- Incoming Payments: Any payments attempted to your closed account will be returned to the sender.
- Access to Statements: You may still be able to access statements for a period after closure through the Internet Bank. It's always a good idea to download and save copies of your statements for your records before closing the account.
10 Related FAQs: How to...
How to check my Nationwide account balance on the app?
- Simply log in to the Nationwide Banking App, and your account balances will be displayed on the main overview screen.
How to transfer money from Nationwide to another bank using the app?
- Log in, go to 'Payments & Transfers', select 'Pay or move money', then choose 'Someone new' or 'Another bank account'. Enter the payee details and amount, and confirm.
How to view my Direct Debits on the Nationwide app?
- Within the 'Payments & Transfers' section or a 'Manage Payments' option in the app, you can usually find a list of your active Direct Debits.
How to cancel a Direct Debit on the Nationwide app?
- While you can view them, the Nationwide app generally allows you to manage or cancel Direct Debits through a dedicated section within 'Payments & Transfers' or 'Manage Payments'. You should still inform the payee directly.
How to find my Nationwide sort code and account number on the app?
- Log in to the app, tap on your specific account, and often your sort code and account number will be displayed near the top or within the 'Account Details' section.
How to update my address with Nationwide using the app?
- In the app, look for a 'Settings' or 'Personal Details' section, where you might find an option to update your address. If not available directly in the app, you may need to use the Internet Bank or contact them.
How to order a new card via the Nationwide app?
- Within the app, there's typically a 'Manage Cards' or 'Card Services' section where you can report a lost/stolen card or request a replacement.
How to contact Nationwide customer service from the app?
- Look for a 'Help', 'Support', or 'Contact Us' option within the app's menu. This will usually provide phone numbers or links to their online contact forms.
How to make sure all my Direct Debits are moved before closing Nationwide?
- Thoroughly review your past 12 months of statements for recurring payments, and personally contact each organization to provide them with your new bank details.
How to get confirmation of my Nationwide account closure?
- After initiating closure via the Internet Bank, Nationwide will send you a confirmation, typically by post or secure message, once the account is officially closed. Keep this for your records.