What’s the difference between Faster Payments, CHAPS (same-day UK payments) and BACS?

Faster Payments

These are electronic payments you can make online, over the phone, in a branch or using our self-service machines.

As long as the other bank or building society uses Faster Payments too, the payment arrives almost immediately (though it can take up to 2 hours).

Check if the bank or building society you’re sending money to can receive Faster Payments on our sort code checker.

There’s more information on Faster Payments Service

CHAPS

These are payments to UK accounts that are guaranteed to arrive the day you make them, as long as you set up the payment in branch or by phone (if you have a business account) before 3:30pm, or online before 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If you set up the payment after those times, or on a weekend or public holiday, we’ll send the payment the next working day.

There might be delays if we need to speak to you about your payment before we send the money.

BACS

This type of payment is mostly used for sending Direct Debits and credits. The payments take three working days to clear. For example, money paid into your account on Monday will clear on Wednesday.