The Bank Giro System and Post Office

mawallace

I bank with First direct (HSBC)

I went down to our local post office, armed with the paying slip, which has sort code and account details, and is clearly marked "Bank Giro Credit"

The person at the post office told me that they no longer accepted these - unless it was Santander, Barclays, and (I cannot rememberer the other two!)

Is this correct?

When did it change - I am sure I have paid into the account in the past under similar circumstances!

Can I be pointed in the direction of any guidance - one way or the other!

notbritishgas

These are the banks that can be accessed via the PO.

www.postoffice.co.uk/counter-services/counter-money-services/using-your-bank-account/which-bank-accounts

samwsmith1

You can request freepost pre paid envelopes from First Direct through internet banking, go to order items and it's under there.

KxMx

I'm with HSBC and never been able to pay in or get cash out at the Post Office.

dzug1

It has not been possible to pay into a FD or HSBC account at the PO for at least the last 8 years, if ever. I think you are misremembering.

Sometimes bank giro credit forms double up to use the PO bill paying system (??transcash - can't remember what it's called) so you can pay eg your water bill that way - maybe that's the confusion?

CopperPlate_2

That's not entirely true. In Scotland, you can continue to use Post Offices to pay in cash using the 'paying in slips'. I've only ever encountered a problem where a cashier refused to take the slip, patronisingly pointing out to me that 'it say's bank giro, we're not a bank'. I helpfully pointed out that I had paid in via the PO on many occasions and perhaps she might want to double check with a senior assistant, which she did, and duly accepted the payment with an apology as well.

I think it's to do with the fact that there are not as many HSBC branches here that we can utilise the quick pay in facility/counter facility.

I used paying in slips only a couple of weeks ago without a problem.

CopperPlate_2

From First Direct's main terms and conditions -

"20 - Cash and cheque payments in - Scotland

If you live in Scotland you can pay cash and cheques into your account(s) via the counter-service at Post Office branches in Scotland. Cash paid in by this method will be forwarded to us by the Post Office...If you pay in a cheque at a Post Office branch you will normally have to wait four business weekdays, etc."

Clearly it seems that this only applies to Scotland and not the rest of the UK.