Strategy

What’s a sort code? 

A sort code is a six-digit number that’s used to help identify your account. It’s often written with three pairs of digits separated by dashes.

Does this mean I won’t have a bank branch anymore?

We used to have specific sort codes that related to branches, but this isn’t the case anymore. You can keep using any of our branches, regardless of what your sort code is.

What’s an IBAN?

An IBAN is an International Bank Account Number. When a sort code changes, the IBAN on the affected account will also change. This will only affect you if you receive international payments. You can find out what your IBAN is at any time by visiting www.barclays.co.uk and searching on ‘IBAN’, then using the ‘IBAN tool’ to generate your IBAN.

Why is the sort code on my account changing, have I been chosen for a specific reason?

No. The decision as to which accounts are affected was made to align with the ring-fencing legislation and minimise the impact to customers.

Will payments into my account still be made correctly?

When the change takes place, we’ll redirect incoming payments (including international payments) that use the old sort code or IBAN to your new sort code for a period of 36 months, and we’ll contact anyone that pays you money to ask to update their records for future payments e.g. salary, wages, pension or benefits. We may be in touch again during the redirection period if we notice that companies/individuals have not updated their records, asking you to inform them of your new sort code.

Will payments out of my account still be made correctly?

If you pay in Cheques or cash, at a self-service device or counter, using your old sort code the payment will be re-directed to the new sort code. There won’t be any delays in the payment being credited.

If a payment has been made from a Barclays customer to your old sort code, the payment details will be updated automatically to the new sort code to remove the need for future redirection. There won’t be any delays in the payment being credited.

If a payment has been made from a non-Barclays customer to your old sort code, the payment will be redirected to your account. There won’t be any delays in the payment being credited. We will redirect for a period of up to three years (36 months) and we’ll contact anyone that pays you money to ask to update their records for future payments e.g. salary, wages, pension or benefits. We may be in touch again during the redirection period if we notice that companies/individuals have not updated their records, asking you to inform them of your new sort code.

Will my access to Barclays Online Banking differ following my sort code change?

Changes to your sort code won’t affect your ability to access Barclays Online Banking.

When logging in with a ‘Remember me’ function, you’ll be asked to update the old details if you’ve previously used your old sort code to log in. You’ll also notice that your new sort code will be displayed. All other details will remain the same, including the account names if these have been personalised, as well as saved payees.

You’ll still be able to use your existing debit/cash/Authentication card until your new replacement card arrives and you start using it. Your existing sort code and account number can continue to be used, however once you receive your new sort code please start to use that.

Will my access to Barclays Mobile Banking and Pingit differ following my sort code change?

These changes won’t affect Barclays Mobile Banking or Pingit. You’ll continue to be registered and use the same five-digit access code.

The new sort code will be displayed on your Barclays Mobile Banking, should you select your account. Saved payees will also remain listed.

What will happen if I add the old sort code details of someone I’m making a group payment to using Barclays Online Banking?

When setting up a new group payment where one of the payees is a Barclays customer whose sort code has changed due to ring-fencing, you’ll see the following notification:

‘The sort code of the account you entered has changed. We have corrected the payee details to use the new sort code.’

The new sort code will display and the group payment can then be processed.

Will my statements look any different?

Your statements will look the same. However, after the change has taken place, your new sort code and IBAN (International Bank Account Number) will be printed on future statements.

Can I still see transactions from my ‘old’ sort code?

You can continue to access your account. You’ll be able to view transactions on both your old and new sort code.

Will my statement preferences change as a result of this change?

Your statement preferences, for example, frequency, online/paper format won’t be affected as a result of the sort code change.

What correspondence will I receive to keep me up to date with what’s happening?

We’re committed to keeping you up to date. The timeline below shows the communications you’re due to receive to help guide you through the changes:

All letters issued will be available in your CloudIt. You can view all your letters relating to your sort code change using the key names/tags: sort code, SRP, Structural Reform, Ring Fencing, IBAN.

I have accounts with various sort codes, will I be notified of all the changes at the same time?

If you have impacted accounts across different sort codes, you may receive multiple communications as the changes may happen at different times.

What will happen if a payment is made to my old sort code?

If you pay in cheques or cash, at a self-service device or counter, using your old sort code the payment will be re-directed to the new sort code. There won’t be any delays in the payment being credited.

If a payment has been made from a Barclays customer to your old sort code, the payment details will be updated automatically to the new sort code to remove the need for future redirection. There won’t be any delays in the payment being credited.

If a payment has been made from a non-Barclays customer to your old sort code, the payment will be redirected to your account. There won’t be any delays in the payment being credited. We will redirect for a period of up to three years (36 months) to provide you with time to advise anyone paying you that your sort code has changed.

Are there any changes to my account features and rewards?

No. Even though your account has a new sort code, it’ll retain any existing features or rewards associated with it. For example, there’ll be no changes to Packs, Apple Pay, Blue Rewards, Kaspersky Internet / mobile security and you can continue to use these as you do today.

Will my overdraft be affected?

No. Overdrafts won’t be affected by this change and you can continue to use this facility as normal.

What can I do if I don’t want Barclays to contact any of my Direct Debit originators?

To ensure there is no disruption to your Direct Debit payments we’ll contact the Direct Debit originators to advise them of the change to your sort code. If you don’t want us to contact your Direct Debit originators call us on 0333 202 7582 or come into a branch and talk to us.

Once I receive my replacement card, how do I amend my card details held by companies I make regular payments to?

When you receive your new debit, cash or authentication card, you should start to use it as soon as you receive it. You’ll need to update your new 16-digit card number if it’s used to make purchases or online payments. For companies where you make regular subscription, you’ll need to contact the retailer or company to update your payment instructions with your new debit card details (new 16-digit card number and expiry date).

We’ve produced a guide – ‘Company Payments - How to update your debit card details’ (PDF 858KB) – detailing how to update your debit card details for those companies/retailers who hold your 16-digit card number. We’ve based this guide on some of the most common companies/providers, such as Amazon and PayPal.

The ‘Company Payments - How to update your debit card details’ guide is available on the same site as this guide.

Please note; there is no impact to Barclaycards held as part of the sort code migration.

Do I need to update my information on ‘Apple Pay’ with my replacement debit card details?

No. The details held in Apple Pay will be updated automatically and you can continue to use it as you do today.

Do I need to update my new debit card details if I use Contactless Mobile in an Android phone?

Yes, you will need to reactivate your registration when you receive your new card, to do this from your Android phone open the Barclays Mobile Banking app and go to:

• Contactless Mobile
• You will see your new debit card, select ‘Turn card on’ or ‘Change card’ then select the new debit card and then select ‘Continue’
• You are then ready to make payments with Contactless Mobile immediately.

Can I still use Chip and PIN following my sort code change?

You can still use your card details to identify yourself in a branch through Chip and PIN, as the process remains the same and the systems will recognise both the old and new details. However, please start using your new card as soon as you receive it.

Can I still use my card to identify myself over the telephone following my sort code change?

You can use your current debit card and authentication card until your new replacement card arrives and you start to use it. Once you use your new card, your old card will stop working.

Will my new debit card be personalised with a picture?

Yes, whenever we re-issue a personalised debit card it will bear the existing image that you previously selected for your card.

If you’d like to update the image on your debit card, you can do so at any time through Barclays Mobile Banking or in Barclays Online Banking.

Will I be issued with replacement cheque and credit books when my sort code is changed?

No, you can continue to use any existing cheque and paying-in books for a further 36 months. When you get towards the end of your existing books, replacements will be automatically re-issued with your new sort code. For Corporate & Business Banking customers, their existing cheque books can only be used for 12 months after the sort code change due to the nature of these accounts.

Can I put a stop on a cheque issued with my old sort code?

Yes, you can still place a stop on a cheque issued using your ‘old’ sort code and account cheque book

Will these changes affect my International Bank Account Number (IBAN)?

The new ring-fenced bank will be issued with a new Bank Identification Code (BIC).

If you are transferred to our ring-fenced bank, your International Bank Account Number (IBAN) will also change, as the IBAN contains the BIC.

This will only affect you if you receive international payments to your account. You can find out what your IBAN is at any time by visiting barclays.co.uk and searching ‘IBAN’ then using the ‘IBAN generator tool’.

After the change, we will redirect any incoming payments that use your old IBAN for a period of 36 months. This is so you have plenty of time to tell anyone who makes international payments to you about your new IBAN; however, to avoid potential delays, we encourage you to do so at the earliest convenience. If necessary, we will contact you again towards the end of the redirection period to remind you to tell anyone paying you money that your IBAN has changed.

We will contact you separately if your sort code is also changing.

How will the transfer be achieved?

We are seeking approval from the Prudential Regulation Authority and the High Court of England and Wales (the “Court”) to complete the transfer of eligible
customers and clients from Barclays Bank PLC to our new ring-fenced bank.

This will be done using a legal process called a Ring-Fencing Transfer Scheme (the “Scheme”) under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

A hearing is expected to be held on 21 to 23 February 2018 for the Court to consider and then approve the Scheme, if appropriate. Subject to approval, we plan to implement these changes as early as the first half of 2018, well ahead of the 1 January 2019 deadline.

We will keep our website updated with the progress of this process.

Will this affect my own tax position?

We do not believe these changes will impact your tax position. However, as Barclays do not provide tax advice, we suggest you speak to a tax advisor.