Savings passbook changes FAQs
We have answered questions you might have about the changes to our passbook accounts.
About the changes
We are committed to giving our customers choice in how they bank with us. We also want them to receive smooth and efficient service by ensuring our systems are the best they can be.
It is vital that the systems and platforms all our accounts operate on are up to date, efficient and robust.
While there are many benefits from our new technology, we cannot offer passbooks in the same way.
We know you value having a physical record of your transactions and face-to-face service. That is why you will still be able to manage your account in branch. And why we are offering a new wallet and card to replace your passbook.
No, your interest rate will not be affected as a result of these changes.
Whether you open a savings wallet account or keep your existing passbook account, you will keep the same rate.
If we make any changes to your interest rate separately, we will let you know.
Yes, we remain committed to our branches and you can continue to bank at any of our branches. But you will not be able to use a passbook to bank in branch from February 2025.
We have the biggest banking presence on the high street. We have also renewed our Branch Promise: everywhere we have a branch, we will still be there until at least the start of 2028.
You can manage both your existing passbook account and our alternative savings accounts and ISAs online in our banking app or internet bank.
For now, we only have alternative savings accounts for you if you have:
- an instant access passbook savings account
- a limited access passbook savings account
- certain ISA passbook accounts (Help to Buy: ISA, Smart Junior ISA and Junior ISA Maturity are not included)
However, in December 2024 we will offer new accounts to our customers with a passbook children’s savings account (except for Smart Junior ISA).
When your alternative account is available, we will update our passbooks pages. You do not need to call us.
From February 2025, you will not be able to use your passbook for your children’s savings account.
We will be writing to everyone with power of attorney for one of our customers.
We will let you know if you can open one of our alternative savings wallet accounts.
Your Third Party Mandate support will not be impacted by this change.
Your support from the SST to help with payments and transactions will also continue as normal.
About your options
From February 2025, you will not be able to use your passbook.
You can keep it for your records, but we will not be able to accept it as ID in branch and you will not need to return it to one of our branches.
We are committed to helping you continue to bank in branch, with the support of our friendly team. So we have created a new savings wallet and card to help you continue to bank securely in branch.
You have 3 options to choose from:
- open a new savings account with a savings wallet and card
- keep using your existing passbook account, or
- open a new savings account without a savings wallet and card.
Open a new savings account with a wallet and card
We have matched your existing instant or limited access passbook account to an alternative account. You will get the same interest rate as well as a savings wallet and card.
We will also transfer your incoming payments to your new account. That means that payments that currently come in to your passbook account will automatically go in to your new account.
You can visit a local branch and talk to one of our team about the changes and your options. We will take you through how to open one of the alternative savings accounts and give you a savings wallet to store your card and mini statements.
Find your new savings wallet account
Keep your existing savings account
If you want to keep your existing account, you can continue to manage your account online and in branch. But from February 2025, we will need to ask you some security questions and may request a form of ID if you bank in branch. We will not be able to accept your passbook as a form of ID.
More about keeping your account
Open a new savings account without a wallet and card
If you do not regularly use your passbook and do not want a card or savings wallet, we have a range of other savings accounts that might suit you better. None of these accounts will come with a passbook or savings wallet, and you can often open them online.
If your Nationwide passbook account has an overseas address, including in Ireland, you can keep your existing account.
However, you cannot open a new savings account with a wallet and card.
If you want to keep your existing account, you can continue to manage your account online and in branch. But from February 2025, we will need to ask you some security questions and may request a form of ID if you bank in branch. We will not be able to accept your passbook as a form of ID.
You can choose from the 3 options from now. But from February 2025, you will not be able to use your passbook.
If you want to open one of our alternative savings accounts with a savings wallet and card, visit any of our branches.
If you cannot find your passbook, visit any of our branches and we will be happy to discuss your options.
You can also continue to use your savings account as you do today until February 2025.
The new non-ISA savings accounts, with a savings wallet and cash card, are available as joint accounts.
If you have a joint savings account, you can either:
- have a card and a wallet each, or
- share a wallet and have a card each.
The ISAs are only available as sole accounts.
You can open one new savings wallet account for each qualifying passbook account you currently hold.
About savings wallets and cards
If you have a sole savings account and move to a new savings account with a wallet, we will give you one wallet and one card.
If you have a joint savings account, you can either:
- have a card and a wallet each, or
- share a wallet and have a card each.
If you open one of our alternative savings accounts, your transactions will be recorded in mini statements, full statements, at cash machines and online.
Mini statements
When you come to a branch, we can give you a mini statement showing your savings balance and transactions. The new savings wallet will have a pocket so you can safely store your mini statements.
Full statements
Each month we will post full statements to you if you transact within the month.
Cash machine
If you have an instant or limited access savings account, you can use your cash card at cash machines to view your balance and recent transactions or to print a mini statement.
You cannot use an ISA card at a cash machine.
Online
You can view all your transactions by logging in to our banking app or internet bank.
Our top priority is keeping our customers and their money safe.
The savings wallet is designed to be discrete.
The cash card can only be used at a branch counter or at one of our cash machines with a secure PIN.
The ISA card can only be used at a branch counter.
No, your ISA card is not a cash card.
It can only be used to identify yourself at a Nationwide branch counter.
If you have an instant or limited access savings account and you lose your wallet or card, just let us know. We will then post you a new cash card. You can also collect a savings wallet from any Nationwide branch.
If you have an ISA, let us know and we will close your existing ISA and open a new one. We will then post you a new ISA card. You can also collect a savings wallet from any Nationwide branch.
Learn more about the changes
Explore what the changes mean for you and choose what you would like to do next with your passbook savings account.
Protecting your money
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (opens in a new window) (FSCS) is a free, independent service that protects up to £85,000 of your eligible money at Nationwide.