Text message from MBNA regarding a balance transfer.

Belenus

I have done a lot of 0% interest stoozing across various credit cards.

Yesterday afternoon I initiated a balance transfer to my NatWest Credit Card from my MBNA credit card . That is I asked NatWest to send £X,XXX to MBNA.

Normally with NatWest it takes 2 days for the BT to leave my account and arrive at the target account.

I received a mobile phone message from MBNA timed at 2:15 am today, less than 9 hours after I had initiated the transfer.

Payment of £X,XXX due from your bank. You can spend it if there aren't any restrictions on credit card ending XXXX.

The BT transfer £amount and card ending figures are correct.

This is the first BT I have done to my MBNA card. In all the many other BTs I have done with other credit cards, I have never received such a SMS message.

As of midday today the BT is not showing on either my NatWest or MBNA online accounts. That is normal for me as it usually takes 2 days to appear.

I don't think there is anything here to concern me but it is the first time I have received such a text message from any bank. I presume NatWest have loaded the BT into the banking system and MBNA know about it, even if it will not appear in my accounts for 2 days.

Is such a text message normal for MBNA?

If yes, then fine, but if not, should I be on my guard for any potential scam?

grumbler

Belenus said:

I have done a lot of 0% interest stoozing across various credit cards.

Yesterday afternoon I initiated a balance transfer from my NatWest Credit Card to my MBNA credit card . That is I asked NatWest to send £X,XXX to MBNA.

This makes no sense. If the BT is from Natwest to MBNA, than you ask MBNA and it sends money to Natwest.

bengal-stripe

I haven't done a balance transfer for many years, but whenever I pay my MBNA card (as a 'faster payment' from my current account), I instantly get the same message acknowledging my payment. To be precise, as an e-mail, not a text on my phone. Whether it is booked simultaneously on the balance or the balance gets still updated only once during the night, I wouldn't know.

I wouldn't worry, but check your balance tomorrow morning.

Belenus

Thanks.

Perhaps it is something that only MBNA do.

Brie

I get lots of text messages from MBNA about BTs being available, warning me when they end, and when a payment has been made to MBNA get something like what you got.  Basically telling me I've got money available to spend on the card.  Must admit I haven't checked how soon it shows online but suspect there is a delay between money being sent/received and them updating the entire system.