Will a bank accept a cheque that doesn't contain full name?

I've just received a cheque from HMRC which doesn't contain my full name. It's made out to Mr [initial] [surname]. It's years since I've had a cheque so don't know if the bank (Nationwide so still a Building Society) will accept it. Unfortunately they aren't open today so I'll have to wait until Monday to pay it in. Does anyone know if there may be a problem? Thanks.

Comments

  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,415 Forumite
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    Of course they will.
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
  • pfpf
    pfpf Posts: 5,087 Forumite
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    it all depends if your full name is indeed "Mr Initial Surname".  ;)
  • JGB1955
    JGB1955 Posts: 3,816 Forumite
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    If it's for less than £1,000 you can pay it in via the ATM outside.  No need to wait until Monday, in fact they would probably prefer you NOT to go into the branch.
    #2 Saving for Christmas 2024 - £1 a day challenge. £325 of £366
  • oldagetraveller1
    oldagetraveller1 Posts: 1,441 Forumite
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    edited 12 December 2020 at 12:18PM
    One of my two accounts only have Mr Initial Surname. The other is just Surname Initial (unisex!). I have paid in cheques with Mr Christian name and Surname. Don't see why it shouldn't work with alternative formats.
  • robatwork
    robatwork Posts: 7,253 Forumite
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    Zero problem. You can send Nationwide cheques as I don't think their app allows cheque payment like may others do.

    Nationwide | Paying in cheques form (nationet.com)


  • Eco_Miser
    Eco_Miser Posts: 4,817 Forumite
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    Given that some people's full names contain a football squad, of course a bank will accept a cheque that doesn't contain full name. There could be a problem if it doesn't contain any indication of your first name, just a later forename, eg. J. Arthur Rank getting a cheque payable to Arthur Rank.
    Eco Miser
    Saving money for well over half a century
  • Eco_Miser said:
    Given that some people's full names contain a football squad, of course a bank will accept a cheque that doesn't contain full name. There could be a problem if it doesn't contain any indication of your first name, just a later forename, eg. J. Arthur Rank getting a cheque payable to Arthur Rank.
    This is a problem I've come across this month.  Someone wanted a refund by cheque (reason why she refused payment direct to her bank account is not know especially as she knew it would take longer for her to receive payment because of 2 signatures being required and Covid increases delay) but bank rejected it because we used the first name she uses when dealing with us but that is not her first given name.
  • Robbie64
    Robbie64 Posts: 2,116 Forumite
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    Thanks all. I wasn't sure if the cheque would be accepted.
  • Fingerbobs
    Fingerbobs Posts: 1,699 Forumite
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    edited 14 December 2020 at 1:17PM
    Apologies I'm a bit late to this thread, but just wanted to add that  I had problems paying a cheque into Santander a few months ago, because the payee was "Mr. Initial MiddleInitial Surname" and Santander did not hold a middle name or middle initial for me. 
    They accepted the cheque, but said they would flag my account as requiring ID to be presented next time I visit the branch. I haven't been back to a branch since, and all of my Santander accounts still operate as normal. 
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