Problem with BACS transfers to Joint Accounts

Victor_Delta

I wonder if anyone else has experienced the following problem, or knows the answer.

My wife and I have had a Joint Bank Account for many years with the Bank of Scotland. It has always worked well and, in particular, there were never any problems when anyone needed to make a BACS transfer to the account - in the days when one only used the sort code and account number.

However, since the introduction of the (very useful IMHO) name checking facility when making a BACS payment, our friends have had occasional problems. I always quote the account name as it appears online and in my cheque book - i.e. showing our two names. When using this, some folk get a message back saying the name does not match that on the account.

Does this mean one should only use one of the two names - even though its a joint account - or is there another explanation/solution? Or is it just a Bank of Scotland problem?

I'm sure others must have experienced this problem as well.

GrumpyDil

Do you have another account you can use to experiment from by setting up a transfer a d trying with one, both names etc?

Otherwise have you tried asking the bank? 

Victor_Delta

Thanks for your suggestions. I have asked the bank a couple of times but junior staff have not been able to suggest a solution - the usual "no one's mentioned that problem before" etc!!!

Rob5342

I've got a few accounts in my own name, I always use my own name when transferring from those to our joint account and haven't had a problem doing it that way. It shouldn't block anything if the name doesn't match, just give a warning that it doesn't match and ask if you are sure.

[Deleted User]

BACS hasn't been available to personal customers and wouldn't experience this issue.

The Faster Payment's Payee matching service should match either party or both parties to a current account.
It will also flag up a close match and even allow the payment even is there isn't match.

sausage_time

Like @Rob5342 I always just quote my name for Faster Payments to our joint account - nobody has raised this as an issue (including payees who would not know the other name on the account).  I assumed the name checking will pass on either name.  I'm with RBS so maybe it is bank dependent.  

Victor_Delta

Thanks for the replies. The problem is that when those making a payment see the message saying the names do not match, they assume the sort code or account number may be wrong and so are reluctant to go ahead and make the payment regardless - which I can totally understand. From your comments, it sounds as if just using one of our names rather than the true account name (i.e. both names) may be the solution.

retiredbanker1

Victor_Delta said:

Thanks for the replies. The problem is that when those making a payment see the message saying the names do not match, they assume the sort code or account number may be wrong and so are reluctant to go ahead and make the payment regardless - which I can totally understand. From your comments, it sounds as if just using one of our names rather than the true account name (i.e. both names) may be the solution.

Could you open a second (sole) account in your name to receive these payments? You would then be free to transfer them to your joint account if you want to.

penners324

Only use 1 name. COP will match on either.

Looks like I struggles to match on both

penners324

retiredbanker1 said:

Victor_Delta said:

Thanks for the replies. The problem is that when those making a payment see the message saying the names do not match, they assume the sort code or account number may be wrong and so are reluctant to go ahead and make the payment regardless - which I can totally understand. From your comments, it sounds as if just using one of our names rather than the true account name (i.e. both names) may be the solution.

Could you open a second (sole) account in your name to receive these payments? You would then be free to transfer them to your joint account if you want to.

Completely unnecessary.

Just use 1 name

Victor_Delta

retiredbanker1 said:

Could you open a second (sole) account in your name to receive these payments? You would then be free to transfer them to your joint account if you want to.

Yes I could, but it really shouldn't be necessary.

I’ve finally spoken to someone who understands joint accounts at my bank and apparently, when making a faster payment and asked for the account name, you should enter just one name (either name on the account) - first name and surname. I don't think I've ever seen this written down anywhere.