Quick Answer

A sort code is a 6-digit number (displayed as three pairs, e.g. 20-00-00) that identifies your bank and branch in the UK. It is used alongside your account number to route payments to the correct bank. You need both your sort code and account number to receive a BACS payment or set up a direct debit. Find your sort code on your debit card, bank statement, or in your banking app.

Quick Answer

A UK bank account number is an 8-digit number that uniquely identifies your account within your bank. Combined with your sort code, it identifies your specific account. Account numbers are printed on your debit card, cheque book, bank statements, and in your online banking app. Never share your account number and sort code publicly — while receiving money is safe, others could use it for fraudulent direct debits.

Quick Answer

A roll number is used by some building societies (not banks) instead of or in addition to a sort code and account number. It is an alphanumeric reference (e.g. A1234567B) specific to building societies like Nationwide, Yorkshire BS, and Skipton. You need a roll number when making payments to or from a building society account. Find it on your passbook, statement, or building society app.

Quick Answer

For a UK bank-to-bank transfer (BACS/Faster Payments): you need the recipient's sort code (6 digits) and account number (8 digits), plus a payment reference. For building society accounts: sort code, account number, and possibly a roll number. For international transfers: IBAN and SWIFT/BIC code of the recipient’s bank.

Quick Answer

IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. It is a standardised format for identifying bank accounts internationally. A UK IBAN is 22 characters: GB + 2 check digits + 4 letters (bank code) + 6-digit sort code + 8-digit account number. Example: GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19. You need an IBAN to send or receive international wire transfers to/from the UK.

Quick Answer

A SWIFT code (also called BIC — Bank Identifier Code) identifies a specific bank internationally. It is 8 or 11 characters: 4 letters (bank code) + 2 letters (country code) + 2 characters (location) + optional 3-character branch code. Example: NWBKGB2L (NatWest UK). You need a SWIFT/BIC code when making international wire transfers. Find your bank’s SWIFT code on their website or on your bank statement.

Quick Answer

UK Faster Payments transfers are usually instant — typically within 2 hours, often within seconds. CHAPS (same-day high-value transfers) complete the same working day if sent before the bank’s cut-off time. BACS (used for payroll and direct debits) takes 3 working days. International SWIFT transfers typically take 1–5 working days depending on the destination country.

Quick Answer

International bank transfers via SWIFT typically take 1–5 working days. Transfers to major currencies (USD, EUR, AUD) in major countries often arrive within 1–2 days. Transfers to less common currencies or countries with slower banking systems can take 3–5 days. Using services like Wise (TransferWise) or Revolut for international transfers is often faster and cheaper than bank SWIFT transfers.

Quick Answer

A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds between bank accounts, typically used for high-value or international payments. In the UK, CHAPS is the domestic wire transfer system for same-day high-value payments. SWIFT is the international wire transfer network used between banks globally. Wire transfers are more secure than cheques but may carry fees — especially for international transfers.

Quick Answer

Faster Payments can sometimes be recalled if sent to the wrong account. Contact your bank immediately — they will attempt to recover the funds under the Payment Services Regulations. Recovery is not guaranteed — if the recipient has already spent the money, your bank will need to take legal action. Report fraud immediately to your bank and Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).

Quick Answer

To open a UK bank account you typically need: proof of identity (passport or driving licence) and proof of address (utility bill, council tax letter, or bank statement — dated within 3 months). Some banks also require your National Insurance number. Digital banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut) can be opened with just a passport or driving licence selfie — no paper documents needed.

Quick Answer

Most UK banks allow cash withdrawals of £300–£500 per day from ATMs as a standard limit. In-branch withdrawals are typically unlimited for your own account, though large amounts (£10,000+) may require advance notice for cash to be available. Your bank may place temporary limits for security reasons — check your app or call your bank if you need a large withdrawal.

Quick Answer

This is called a money transfer. Some credit cards offer money transfer deals — Barclaycard, MBNA, and Virgin Money offer these. You transfer credit card funds to your bank account for a fee (typically 2–4% of the amount). Standard cash advances from credit cards are extremely expensive (typically 3% fee + 30%+ APR from day one) — avoid these. Only use a money transfer credit card with a 0% money transfer offer.

Quick Answer

A bank statement is a record of all transactions in your account over a set period (usually monthly). It shows: opening balance, all credits (money in) and debits (money out), closing balance, and transaction dates and references. Bank statements are used for mortgage applications, visa applications, benefit claims, and tax returns.

Quick Answer

Download instantly from your online banking or mobile app (PDF). Request paper statements by post — most banks charge £1–5 per statement if you have opted out of paper. Request in-branch — most banks will print recent statements free of charge. For older statements (over 12 months): request via secure message in your app or by calling your bank — fees may apply.

Quick Answer

A bank giro credit is a paper payment slip used to pay money into a bank account at a bank branch or post office. They are most commonly found at the bottom of bills (council tax, utilities, credit card statements). You take the slip with cash or a cheque to a branch and the funds are credited to the named account. Bank giro credits are increasingly rare as online payments have replaced them.

Quick Answer

Yes — Revolut received a UK banking licence in July 2024. It is now a fully licensed UK bank regulated by the PRA and FCA. UK customer deposits are protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). Previously Revolut operated as an e-money institution, meaning deposits were not FSCS protected.

Quick Answer

Monzo is a fully FCA-regulated UK bank with FSCS protection up to £85,000. It consistently scores well in customer satisfaction surveys — Ofcom regularly rates Monzo highly for app quality and customer service. Monzo is best for: budgeting tools, spending notifications, fee-free overseas spending, and salary early access. It is less suited for: large savings (rates are competitive but not market-leading), business banking complexity.

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Yes — Starling Bank is fully authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA. Customer deposits are protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS. Starling consistently wins Which? Recommended Provider status and has high customer satisfaction ratings. It offers a free current account with no monthly fee, a linked savings space, and a business account.

Quick Answer

DWP has the legal power to request bank account information from banks at any time to verify benefit claims. There is no fixed schedule — checks can be triggered by a change of circumstance report, a tip-off, or random compliance checks. DWP can access up to 12 months of bank statements. Failing to report a change in circumstances (e.g. receiving an inheritance or new income) is a criminal offence.

Quick Answer

Universal Credit payments are made on a set date each month (your payment date is shown in your UC journal). Payments are processed by DWP as a BACS transfer, which means funds typically arrive between midnight and 9am on your payment date. Some banks credit BACS payments early — Monzo and Starling often show payments the evening before.

A 6-digit number (displayed as XX-XX-XX) that identifies your bank and branch in the UK. Used alongside your 8-digit account number for domestic payments. Find it on your debit card or in your app.

International Bank Account Number — a 22-character code for UK accounts used for international transfers. Format: GB + 2 check digits + 4-letter bank code + 6-digit sort code + 8-digit account number.

An 8 or 11-character code identifying a specific bank internationally. Used alongside IBAN for international wire transfers. Find your bank’s SWIFT code on their website or bank statement.

Faster Payments: instant to 2 hours. CHAPS: same day. BACS: 3 working days. International SWIFT: 1–5 working days.

Proof of identity (passport or driving licence) and proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months). Digital banks like Monzo and Starling only require a selfie with your ID — no paper documents needed.

Yes — Revolut received a UK banking licence in July 2024. UK deposits are now FSCS protected up to £85,000.

Yes — Monzo is a fully regulated UK bank with FSCS protection. It consistently scores highly for app quality and customer service. Best for budgeting tools, spending notifications, and fee-free overseas spending.

A record of all transactions in your account over a period, showing credits, debits, and balances. Download free from your banking app, request paper by post, or print in-branch.

DWP can check bank accounts at any time — there is no fixed schedule. Checks are triggered by changes in circumstances, tip-offs, or random compliance reviews. DWP can access up to 12 months of statements.

An alphanumeric reference used by some building societies (Nationwide, Yorkshire BS, Skipton) instead of or alongside a sort code and account number. Find it on your passbook or building society app.