Paying Halifax and MBNA from NatWest

philipellis

I bank with NatWest and have 2 credit cards that I pay off through either my online banking or, usually, my banking app.

Something has changed at MBNA because their app logon process is now identical to the Halifax app. I'm guessing that they now use the same app provider. MBNA also has a new statement style and, crucially, now shows the same sort code and account number for making payments. This is where the problem is, I reckon.

I tried to re-add MBNA to my bank payee list and was told that the sort code and account number were already in use. I only realised what the problem was when I spoke to my bank and they said that the sort code and account is question were connected to my Halifax account.

When I asked why I couldn't have two payees with the same details, the rep told me that all banks are like that - not helpful.

Has anyone else come across this problem?
Is it true that it's an industry-wide issue? i,e. you are with a different bank but still have the same problem?
What can we do to get the banks to allow multiple payees with the same details?

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

It's because they're part of the same banking group.

You should be able to just make a manual payment via online banking and change the reference.

Krisko

MBNA was acquired by Lloyds Banking Group, which also owns Halifax a few years ago.

I'm with Starling Bank and do have two payees with the same account number and sort-code, so it's certainly not impossible.

But can't you just pay your MBNA or Halifax with your debit card?

philipellis

I can pay with my debit card (in fact, this is what I did) but using my banking app is much more convenient. It used to take me 30 seconds from my phone and now I have faff around logging into MBNA's website, getting to the right spot, making the payment and then waiting for 2-3 days whilst it clears my account.

I may well be stuck with it. Progress, eh?!

EarthBoy

philipellis wrote: »

I may well be stuck with it. Progress, eh?!

You could switch to a different bank which allows multiple payees to the same bank details.

18cc

That is silly - that would mean for example if you had two savings account with eg Charter SB or whoever and wanted to pay in by faster payment using the same account no / sort code for the provider but a different reference for each account then you couldn't?? I know for a fact that you can because I do it!

Dobbibill

OP there should be a way around this, maybe try setting them up on the desktop site rather than the Natwest app. I can't see that they wouldn't allow you to pay 2 different references to the same sort code and account number. What would happen if you had 2 credit cards with Halifax?

philipellis

18cc wrote: »

That is silly - that would mean for example if you had two savings account with eg Charter SB or whoever and wanted to pay in by faster payment using the same account no / sort code for the provider but a different reference for each account then you couldn't?? I know for a fact that you can because I do it!

Yes, it is silly. I didn't believe Natwest when they said it's an industry-wide issue - it's just that their computer system can't cope with it. I really am not minded to move banks but it is an annoyance.

philipellis

Dobbibill wrote: »

OP there should be a way around this, maybe try setting them up on the desktop site rather than the Natwest app. I can't see that they wouldn't allow you to pay 2 different references to the same sort code and account number. What would happen if you had 2 credit cards with Halifax?

I've tried all ways to add the second payee without success (at least their different systems behave the same!). Exactly - if I had two cards with Halifax, I'd be as stuck as I am now. It's a bit rubbish!

Dobbibill

philipellis wrote: »

I've tried all ways to add the second payee without success (at least their different systems behave the same!). Exactly - if I had two cards with Halifax, I'd be as stuck as I am now. It's a bit rubbish!

Can you ring Natwest and ask them to make the payment? They must have a way around it

philipellis

Dobbibill wrote: »

Can you ring Natwest and ask them to make the payment? They must have a way around it

I can make the payment, no problem, by logging into my MBNA account and doing it on my debit card. My issue is not being able to use my Natwest app, which is (normally!) super efficient and quick.