Part of our HSBC UK — Complete Guide 2026 hub.
HSBC UK’s standard Faster Payments limit is £25,000 per transaction — lower than the £100,000 limit offered by some competitors. For larger transfers, CHAPS is the main alternative. Here’s everything you need to know about sending money with HSBC.
HSBC UK Transfer Limits at a Glance
| Payment Type | Limit | Speed | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faster Payments (app/online) | Up to £25,000 | Seconds to 2 hours | Free |
| CHAPS | No upper limit | Same business day (before cut-off) | Fee applies |
| Standing order | Up to Faster Payments limit | Per schedule | Free |
| Branch counter transfer | Varies | Same or next day | May vary |
HSBC’s £25,000 Faster Payments Limit: What It Means
HSBC’s £25,000 Faster Payments cap is one of the more notable differences between HSBC and other UK banks. For comparison:
| Bank | Faster Payments Limit |
|---|---|
| NatWest | Up to £100,000 |
| Barclays | Up to £50,000 |
| Lloyds | Up to £25,000 |
| HSBC | Up to £25,000 |
| Santander | Up to £25,000 |
For the vast majority of everyday transfers — rent, bills, paying tradespeople — the £25,000 limit is more than sufficient. Where it becomes a limitation is for large one-off transfers: buying a car privately, moving a large sum between your own accounts at different banks, or sending a property deposit.
The £25,000 limit applies per transaction, not per day. You could send multiple £25,000 transfers in a day, though HSBC’s fraud systems may flag unusually high volumes.
How to Send More Than £25,000 with HSBC
You have three main options:
1. Use CHAPS
CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) has no upper limit and guarantees same-day arrival if submitted before HSBC’s cut-off time (typically mid-afternoon on business days — check with HSBC for the exact cut-off). A fee applies.
CHAPS is the standard method for:
- Property purchase completions (solicitors almost always require CHAPS)
- Transfers above £25,000 between your own accounts
- Large business or investment transfers
2. Request a Temporary Limit Increase
Call HSBC on 03457 404 404 and ask for a temporary Faster Payments limit increase. You’ll need to pass identity verification and may be asked the purpose of the transfer. If approved, the increase is usually valid for a specific date or short period.
3. Split Across Multiple Transactions
For transfers between your own accounts (e.g., moving money from HSBC to a savings account elsewhere), you can send multiple £25,000 Faster Payments on consecutive days. Note this won’t work for time-sensitive payments like property completions where the full amount is needed in one transaction.
How to Send a Transfer with HSBC
Via the HSBC app (up to £25,000):
- Open the HSBC app and sign in
- Tap Move money or Pay and transfer
- Select the payee or add a new one
- Enter the amount and confirm with your passcode or biometrics
Via HSBC online banking (up to £25,000):
- Log in at hsbc.co.uk
- Select Pay and transfer from the menu
- Choose or add a payee and enter the amount
- Confirm the payment
For CHAPS or larger amounts:
- Call 03457 404 404 or visit an HSBC branch
- Have payee details ready: full name, sort code, account number, and payment reference
- For property transactions, your solicitor will usually provide a completion statement with all the required details
New Payees and Fraud Protection
When you add a new payee and send money for the first time, HSBC may:
- Apply a short delay while fraud checks are processed
- Show a Confirmation of Payee result, verifying the account name matches the sort code and account number
- Display a fraud warning for higher-risk payment types
Always verify payment details directly with the recipient — never trust bank details sent by email or text without independent verification. If you receive an unexpected request to change payment details, call the recipient on a known number before transferring.
If you’ve been a victim of fraud: report it immediately to HSBC on 03457 404 404. Banks are required to reimburse most victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud under PSR rules introduced in 2024.
Standing Orders
Standing orders use the Faster Payments network and are subject to the same £25,000 per-payment limit. They’re free to set up and cancel through the HSBC app or online banking — useful for regular fixed payments like rent, savings contributions, or family support payments.