BACS payments are a cornerstone of the UK's financial system, facilitating billions of transactions annually. If you're a Nationwide customer and need to make a BACS payment, whether it's setting up a Direct Debit or making a Direct Credit (also known as a bank transfer), this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process.
How to Make a BACS Payment with Nationwide: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ever wondered how your salary lands in your account precisely on payday, or how your monthly utility bills are effortlessly taken care of? Chances are, BACS payments are behind the scenes! Making a BACS payment with Nationwide is a straightforward process, but understanding the nuances will ensure your money goes where it needs to, when it needs to. Let's dive in!
Understanding BACS: Direct Debit vs. Direct Credit
Before we delve into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand the two main types of BACS payments:
- BACS Direct Debit: This is when you authorize another party (like a utility company, gym, or subscription service) to collect payments directly from your Nationwide account on an agreed-upon schedule. It's a "pull" payment. Think of your Netflix subscription or your council tax – these are typically Direct Debits.
- BACS Direct Credit: This is when you send money directly into another person's or organisation's bank account. It's a "push" payment. Your salary, pension, or a refund you receive are common examples of Direct Credits.
For the purpose of this guide, we'll focus on how you initiate a BACS payment (a Direct Credit) from your Nationwide account.
Step 1: Gather Your Essential Details – Don't Miss a Thing!
This is the most critical step. Errors here can lead to delays or, worse, your money going to the wrong recipient. So, grab a pen and paper, or open a digital note, and make sure you have all of the following readily available:
Required Information for the Recipient:
- Recipient's Full Name or Business Name: Ensure this is exactly as it appears on their bank account. Accuracy is paramount here!
- Recipient's Account Number: This is typically an 8-digit number. Double-check every digit.
- Recipient's Sort Code: This is a 6-digit number, often presented as three pairs (e.g., 12-34-56). Again, verify it meticulously.
- Payment Reference (if applicable): If you're paying a bill or an invoice, there will almost certainly be a reference number. This is vital for the recipient to identify your payment. If you're paying a friend, you can use a personal reference (e.g., "Dinner money" or "Birthday gift").
- Optional but helpful: The recipient's bank name and address. While not always strictly required for online BACS payments within the UK, having this can sometimes aid in troubleshooting if an issue arises.
Your Nationwide Account Details:
While you won't input these for the recipient, you'll need to know which of your Nationwide accounts you want to send the money from.
Step 2: Choose Your Nationwide Payment Method – Online, App, or In-Branch?
Nationwide offers a few convenient ways to make a BACS payment (Direct Credit). Pick the one that suits you best:
Option A: Internet Bank (Online Banking) – The Most Common Choice
This is generally the easiest and most common way to make a BACS payment.
- Log In Securely: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Nationwide website. Log in to your Internet Bank account using your personal details, including your username, password, and any additional security steps (like a card reader or one-time passcode). Always ensure you are on the legitimate Nationwide site.
- Navigate to Payments: Once logged in, look for a section or tab typically labelled "Move money" or "Payments & Transfers."
- Select "Make a Payment": Within this section, you'll usually find an option to "Make a payment," "Send money," or "Pay someone new."
- Choose Your Account: Select the Nationwide account you wish to make the payment from.
- Add New Payee (if applicable):
- If you've paid this person or business before, their details might be saved as an "existing payee." Simply select them from your list.
- If it's a new recipient, you'll need to select the option to "Add a new payee" or "Pay someone new."
- Enter Recipient Details: Carefully input all the recipient's details you gathered in Step 1: full name/business name, account number, sort code, and the payment reference.
- Tip: Many online banking systems will automatically verify the sort code and account number to check if they are valid, offering an extra layer of security.
- Enter Payment Amount: Input the exact amount you wish to send.
- Review and Confirm: This is another crucial step. Before you hit "confirm," carefully review all the details: recipient's name, account number, sort code, payment reference, and the amount. A small mistake here can have big consequences.
- Authorise the Payment: You may be asked to authorise the payment using your Nationwide card reader, a one-time passcode sent to your phone, or another security measure. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Confirmation: Once authorised, you'll receive a confirmation message that your payment has been sent. Keep a record of this confirmation.
Option B: Nationwide Mobile Banking App – Convenience on the Go
The Nationwide app offers a very similar experience to the Internet Bank, making it easy to pay on your smartphone or tablet.
- Open and Log In: Launch the Nationwide Banking app and log in using your usual security details (fingerprint, face ID, or passcode).
- Tap "Pay & Transfer": Look for a prominent button or section related to payments or transfers.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts: The steps will be very similar to the Internet Bank. You'll typically:
- Select the account to pay from.
- Choose to "Pay someone new" or select an "existing payee."
- Enter the recipient's details (name, account number, sort code, reference).
- Input the amount.
- Review everything carefully.
- Authorise the payment using the app's security features.
- Confirmation: You'll receive instant confirmation within the app.
Option C: In-Branch – For Personalised Assistance
If you prefer face-to-face assistance or are making a particularly large or complex payment, visiting a Nationwide branch is an option.
- Gather Your Documents:
- The recipient's full details (as listed in Step 1).
- Your Nationwide debit card.
- Valid photographic ID (e.g., passport or driving licence).
- Proof of address (e.g., recent utility bill or bank statement).
- Visit Your Local Branch: Find your nearest Nationwide branch using their website or app.
- Speak to a Teller: Inform the teller you wish to make a bank transfer (BACS Direct Credit).
- Provide Details: Present all the required information and documents. The teller will guide you through the process, inputting the details into their system.
- Sign and Confirm: You'll likely need to sign a form to authorise the payment.
- Receive Confirmation: The teller will provide you with a receipt or confirmation of your payment.
Step 3: Understanding BACS Payment Processing Times – Patience is a Virtue!
Unlike instant "Faster Payments," BACS payments operate on a three-working-day cycle. This is a common point of confusion, so it's vital to understand:
- Day 1 (Submission): You submit the payment to Nationwide. If submitted before their daily cut-off time (which can vary, but is often late afternoon), it enters the BACS system.
- Day 2 (Processing): The payment is processed by the banks involved.
- Day 3 (Settlement): The funds are finally credited to the recipient's account, usually early in the morning (often by 7 AM) on the third working day.
Key Considerations for Timing:
- Weekends and Bank Holidays: These are not considered working days. If you send a BACS payment on a Friday, it will be submitted on Friday (Day 1), processed on Monday (Day 2), and arrive on Tuesday (Day 3). A payment submitted before a bank holiday will also be delayed accordingly.
- Cut-off Times: Payments submitted after Nationwide's daily cut-off time will be treated as if they were submitted on the next working day, pushing back the arrival time.
- Direct Credits vs. Faster Payments: For immediate transfers (e.g., sending money to a friend right now), you'll typically be using the Faster Payments service, which usually arrives within two hours, often instantly. BACS is primarily for scheduled, non-urgent payments, especially for businesses paying salaries or suppliers.
Step 4: Verification and Security – Staying Safe Online
Nationwide employs robust security measures to protect your payments. Always be vigilant:
- Card Reader/Security Codes: Be prepared to use your Nationwide card reader or receive a one-time passcode for authorisation, especially for new payees or larger amounts.
- Phishing Scams: Never click on suspicious links in emails or texts claiming to be from Nationwide. Always log in directly through the official website or app. Nationwide will never ask you for your full login details or card reader codes via email or text.
- Verify New Payees: If you're paying a new person or business, and especially for significant amounts, consider making a small test payment first (e.g., £1) to verify the details before sending the full amount. It's a small step that can save a lot of heartache.
- Confirmation Screens: Always double-check the final confirmation screen before authorising any payment.
Step 5: Post-Payment Actions and Troubleshooting – What to Do Next
Once your payment is sent, it's good practice to:
- Keep a Record: Note down the payment reference, date, amount, and recipient. Your Internet Bank or app transaction history will also serve as a record.
- Inform the Recipient (Optional): If it's a payment to an individual, you might want to send them a quick message to let them know the payment is on its way, especially given the 3-day BACS cycle.
- Monitor Your Account: Check your Nationwide account to ensure the money has left, and if possible, confirm with the recipient that they have received it on the expected day.
What if something goes wrong?
- Incorrect Details: If you realise you've entered incorrect recipient details after making the payment, contact Nationwide immediately. Speed is of the essence here. While they will do their best to recall the payment, it's not always guaranteed, especially if the funds have already been credited to another account.
- Payment Not Arriving: If the payment hasn't arrived by the expected time on the third working day, first, confirm with the recipient that they have checked their account. Then, review your Nationwide transaction history to ensure the payment went through successfully. If everything appears correct on your end, contact Nationwide's customer service with all the payment details.
You've now successfully navigated the world of BACS payments with Nationwide! It's a reliable and widely used system for a reason, and by following these steps, you can ensure your transactions are smooth and secure.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Nationwide payment limits for BACS?
Nationwide does not typically impose limits on BACS Direct Debits or Direct Credits (transfers) in the same way they do for Faster Payments. However, for most online or app transfers using Faster Payments, Nationwide generally has an individual transaction limit of up to £100,000 and an overall daily limit of £100,000 for new payees or those you haven't paid many times. For BACS specifically, due to its nature of being primarily used for bulk or scheduled payments, specific daily limits are less common. You can confirm any specific limits for your account by checking the "Payment and transfer limits" section on the Nationwide website or contacting their customer service.
How to cancel a BACS payment on Nationwide?
A BACS Direct Credit (a payment you've "pushed" to someone) generally cannot be cancelled once it has been submitted and processed. Due to the 3-day clearing cycle, there is a very small window, usually only on the same day of submission and before the cut-off time, where a cancellation might be possible if you contact Nationwide immediately. If funds have already left your account or entered the BACS system, cancellation is highly unlikely. For Direct Debits you have set up, you can cancel them via your Internet Bank, app, or by contacting Nationwide, typically giving a few working days' notice before the next payment is due.
How to find my BACS Service User Number (SUN) with Nationwide?
A BACS Service User Number (SUN) is typically only required for businesses or organisations that wish to collect Direct Debits or make large volumes of Direct Credits themselves (e.g., for payroll). Individual Nationwide customers generally do not have or need a SUN to make standard BACS Direct Credit payments. If you are a business looking to set up BACS facilities, you would apply for a SUN through your bank (Nationwide) or a BACS-approved bureau, which involves a specific application process.
How to check if a sort code accepts BACS payments?
Most UK banks and building societies, including Nationwide, participate in the BACS scheme. If a sort code is for a UK bank account, it will almost certainly accept BACS payments. You can often use online sort code checkers (third-party tools) to verify a sort code's validity and the bank it belongs to, which indirectly confirms its participation in UK clearing systems like BACS.
How to get proof of a BACS payment from Nationwide?
You can get proof of a BACS payment from Nationwide by accessing your transaction history in your Internet Bank or Mobile Banking app. Each completed payment will have a record showing the date, amount, recipient, and often a transaction reference. You can usually print or save these transaction details as proof. For formal requirements, you may need to request a statement from Nationwide that clearly shows the transaction.
How to speed up a BACS payment with Nationwide?
You cannot speed up a BACS payment as it operates on a fixed 3-working-day cycle. If you need money to arrive faster (typically within 2 hours, often instantly), you should use the Faster Payments Service when making your transfer through Nationwide's Internet Bank or app. Most standard online transfers are processed via Faster Payments unless the amount is extremely large or the recipient bank doesn't support Faster Payments (which is rare for UK banks).
How to make a large BACS payment with Nationwide?
While BACS doesn't have the same strict limits as Faster Payments for individuals, Nationwide does have overall daily limits for online/app transfers, which generally apply to the Faster Payments service that most single payments go through. If your "BACS" payment (Direct Credit) is a large one and you are doing it online, it might be processed via Faster Payments, which could be subject to the £100,000 daily online limit. For very large payments that exceed online limits, Nationwide may advise you to make a CHAPS payment (for same-day, high-value transfers, which usually incurs a fee) or to visit a branch. Nationwide states they do not limit international transfers, but for UK domestic, you'd generally use CHAPS for values beyond Faster Payment limits.
How to set up a recurring BACS payment (Standing Order) with Nationwide?
To set up a recurring BACS Direct Credit (often called a Standing Order), log in to your Nationwide Internet Bank or Mobile Banking app. Navigate to the "Payments" or "Move money" section, then look for an option to "Set up a Standing Order" or "Future-dated payment." You will need the recipient's details (name, account number, sort code), the amount, the frequency (e.g., weekly, monthly), and the start and end dates (or no end date). Review and confirm the details before authorising.
How to resolve a failed BACS payment on Nationwide?
If a BACS payment you initiated fails, Nationwide will usually notify you and the funds will remain in or be returned to your account. Common reasons for failure include incorrect recipient details (account number, sort code), insufficient funds, or the payment exceeding a limit (if applicable for Faster Payments). Double-check all the recipient details you entered. If the details are correct and funds are available, contact Nationwide customer service for assistance.
How to get a BACS refund from Nationwide?
If you are expecting a BACS Direct Credit (e.g., a salary or refund) and it hasn't arrived by the expected time, first contact the sender to confirm they initiated the payment and have the correct details for your account. If it's a Direct Debit that has been incorrectly taken from your account, you are usually protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee. Contact Nationwide immediately to report the error, and they will investigate and typically refund the amount.
