Part of our Nationwide Building Society UK — Complete Guide 2026 hub.
Nationwide’s Faster Payments limit is up to £100,000 per transaction — one of the highest standard limits among UK high-street banks. For time-critical payments above this, or when a guaranteed delivery is essential, Nationwide also offers CHAPS. Here’s how every payment type works.
Nationwide Transfer Limits at a Glance
| Payment type | Limit | Speed | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faster Payments (app/Internet Bank) | Up to £100,000 | 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 |
| Direct debit | Set by payee | Per schedule | Free |
| International transfer | Varies by currency | 1–5 business days | Fee applies |
Faster Payments — How It Works
Faster Payments is the standard method for UK bank transfers. Nationwide supports payments of up to £100,000 per transaction:
- Available 24/7, 365 days a year
- Typically arrives in seconds — occasionally up to 2 hours
- No fee for outgoing or incoming transfers
- Initiated via the Nationwide app, Internet Bank, or by calling 03457 30 20 11
Personal vs Maximum Limits
The £100,000 figure is the maximum the Faster Payments scheme allows per transaction. Nationwide may set lower individual limits depending on your account. Check your specific limit in the app under Payment settings, or call to confirm.
CHAPS Payments
CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) is used when you need a guaranteed same-day transfer, most commonly for:
- Property purchases — solicitors require CHAPS for completion funds
- Large business payments — where Faster Payments limits are insufficient
- Time-sensitive transfers — when you need a guaranteed delivery window
Key CHAPS details:
- Available on business days only (Monday–Friday, excluding bank holidays)
- You must initiate a CHAPS before Nationwide’s daily cut-off time — call 03457 30 20 11 for the current cut-off
- A fee applies per outgoing CHAPS payment — check current charges in the app or online
- No upper limit on CHAPS amount (subject to Nationwide’s fraud checks)
- Incoming CHAPS payments from solicitors or other banks are free
Nationwide vs Other Banks — Faster Payments Limits
| Bank | Faster Payments limit |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | £100,000 |
| NatWest | £100,000 |
| Lloyds | £100,000 |
| First Direct | £100,000 |
| Santander | £100,000 |
| HSBC | £25,000 |
| Virgin Money | £25,000 |
Nationwide matches most high-street peers at £100,000. HSBC and Virgin Money are notably lower at £25,000 — customers needing to move larger sums between accounts must use CHAPS or make multiple transfers.
How to Send a Large Transfer with Nationwide
For amounts within the Faster Payments limit:
- Open the Nationwide app or log in to the Internet Bank
- Tap Payments → New payment
- Enter the recipient’s sort code and account number (always verify these carefully)
- Enter the amount — add a reference so the recipient can identify the payment
- Confirm with your security details — payment is sent immediately
For amounts requiring CHAPS or above your default limit:
- Call 03457 30 20 11
- An adviser will confirm identity and authorise the transfer
- CHAPS payments must be initiated before the daily cut-off time
Avoiding Fraud on Large Transfers
Large payments attract fraud risk. Before sending any significant sum:
- Verify the recipient’s sort code and account number directly — call on a number you know, not one given in an email or message
- Be wary of urgent requests — solicitors, HMRC, and banks will not rush you into a transfer
- Use Confirmation of Payee — Nationwide supports CoP, which warns you if the account name doesn’t match the sort code and account number you’ve entered
- If in doubt, call 03457 30 20 11 before sending