Nationwide Building Society has clarified its rules after a customer had an issue paying into their account. The mutual also spoke about its plans to change services available to customers.
The provider was asked for a response after a customer ran into trouble using a branch cash machine. The member was unable to pay in their cheque, with branch staff saying this was because they had written the account number and sort code on the back of it. Branch staff gave them a sticker to cover up the writing so the machine could then process it.
Banks sometimes require people to write these details on the back of a cheque, especially when it's being sent in the post to be processed. Clearing up the confusion, a Nationwide spokesperson confirmed that customers paying in cheques in person do not need to write anything on them.
Nationwide response
They said: "Customers do not need to write anything on the back of a cheque before paying it in as they are scanned and processed electronically through the Image Clearing System." They also set out the options that customers currently have to pay in their cheques.
The mutual said: "Customers can pay in a cheque at any Nationwide branch in the way that best suits them, either over the counter with the help of a branch colleague or by using an in-branch ATM."
While writing on a cheque can stop branch machines from scanning it, you must write your details on the back if you are sending a cheque by post. Guidance from Nationwide explains: "We will pay the cheque to the account confirmed on the back of the cheque."
You must include these details
When posting a cheque, write the following details on the right-hand side only:
- The account holder's name(s)
- Your signature
- The date
- Preferred contact number
- Sort code and account number, or savings account number (example: 1234/123456789).
The left-hand side must be left completely blank so the cheque can be processed. Nationwide warns in the guidance: "Without all these details, your cheque may be rejected."
Check that all the details are correct
Before posting, double-check that:
- The cheque is in date
- The front has been signed and dated
- The amount written in words matches the amount written in figures.
Unlike many other high street banks, Nationwide currently does not allow customers to pay in cheques in the app or online. Cheques can only be paid in at a branch or by post.
Nationwide was asked if a feature in the app would be added so customers can pay in their cheques there. The spokesperson said: "While we don't have anything further to announce at this stage, we're always looking at ways to make everyday banking easier for our customers."
