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Making and Accepting Payments

Indirect Access to UK Payment Systems

NatWest is a leading provider of Sterling clearing and settlement services to banks, building societies and other payment service providers licensed to operate in the UK and which choose not to become a direct member of the relevant UK payment scheme.

Indirect access to UK payment systems

We offer dedicated indirect access services to the following UK domestic payments systems.

Indirect Payment Service Providers (PSP) which we sponsor have a wide range of technical access options including SWIFT, online channels, host to host connection, file transfer or direct submission depending on the payment system.

There are two models for obtaining Indirect Access to the above UK clearing schemes.

Via NatWest you can use a bank account to receive and originate payments on behalf of your customers. You can use the same range of money transmission and cash management services available to NatWest’s business customers. These services are explained in the NatWest business website.

Alternatively, you can use a dedicated UK sort code sponsored by NatWest to receive and originate payments on behalf of your customers. For full details of the services with NatWest sponsoring your UK sort code are described in these pages.

Why choose Natwest?

NatWest is a high volume participant in BACS, CHAPS, Faster Payments and the Image Clearing system.

NatWest is represented and influential on UK payment industry working groups.

NatWest is represented on a wide range of European industry bodies and an active participant in key European industry initiatives.

NatWest is a member of SWIFT and one of the largest processors of SWIFT payment messages globally.

NatWest subscribes to the industry ‘Code of Conduct for Indirect Access to UK Payments Systems’, which sets out best practices for an indirect access provider sponsoring other PSPs into the UK payment systems.

For more information about the Code and information on options to access to the UK payment systems, please visit:

Payment systems regulator

Access to payment systems

For more information on our indirect access services, please visit other sections of this site.

If you would like to explore how NatWest could support you to make and receive payments using our indirect access services or would like more information on these, please contact our FI Proposition team at indirectaccess@natwest.com . You can then be introduced to the correct business relationship team. 

When contacting us please provide as much of the following details as possible. This will help us review your request and respond to you faster. 

Commercials

  • Latest Audited accounts.
  • Latest Financials/Management Information.
  • Both current and projected payment volumes.

Regulatory and Supervisory Framework

  • FCA or relevant regulator and authorities number – if not available, then the date that an application was made is to be provided.
  • Account types required.
  • Payment services required.
  • Independent AML/financial crime audit.

You may also write to our FI Proposition team at the address below

NatWest
Commercial & Private Banking
250 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4AA

National Westminster Bank Plc is a member of the NatWest group of companies. NatWest is Registered in England and Wales (Registered Number 929027), Registered Office: 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA.

Find out more about our services

Eligibility for Indirect Access and Banking and Payment services

To become an indirect PSP supported by NatWest, you will need to establish a banking relationship with us.

As with any new customer we must undertake various checks and where you wish to make and receive payments through us we have specific obligations to follow as a bank.

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UK Sort Code allocation

Sort Codes (6 digit numeric) are a key component of the unique identifier which routes payment instructions in the UK. Each sort code can be linked to one or more of Cheque and Credit Clearing (C&CC), BACS, Faster Payments, and CHAPS payment systems.

In certain cases the payment system permits the service user to select the transactions types to be allowed, for example BACS allows Direct Debits to be selected or excluded.

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UK Sort Code allocation Open in new window

Making payments

Indirect PSPs can make submit payment files to BACS directly via the electronic connection called “Bacstel-IP”. BACS payments have a three working days cycle: they are entered into the system on the first day, processed on the second day, and are debited and credited on the third day.

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Making payments Open in new window

Receiving payments

Information on electronic payments received into your dedicated sort codes for credit to your customer accounts are reported using  NatWest Data Services. If you are a Bankline Direct or Bankline Exchange user the information is delivered thought that channel.

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Receiving payments Open in new window

UK Clearing Systems and associated services

We can sponsor Indirect PSPs into the following UK payment systems.

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UK Clearing Systems and associated services Open in new window

Overview of terms and conditions and charges

The Terms and Conditions that will apply to Payment Service Providers will depend on the specific products and services selected.

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Overview of terms and conditions and charges Open in new window

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