Nationwide sets out deadline to secure £50 bonus payment - Daily Star

Nationwide Building Society has recently provided an important update regarding its £50 bonus payment, which was part of a gesture called the Big Nationwide Thank You. This one-off payment was delivered to over 12 million customers as a token of appreciation after its successful acquisition of Virgin Money. All eligible customers were sent their £50 either via direct bank transfer or by cheque in the post. For those who received their payment by cheque, Nationwide has set a strict deadline for cashing these cheques. Customers must deposit their cheques by January 1, 2026, to ensure they don't lose out on the bonus. With this final deadline looming in less than two months, Nationwide has clarified the protocol for those who might miss this cutoff. In such cases, any enquiries about late deposits will be reviewed individually, emphasizing the need to act promptly. Payments sent via bank transfer have already been credited into various types of accounts, including current accounts, instant access accounts, and limited access savings accounts, all registered under the eligible customer's name. This method ensured that most customers received their bonus quickly and conveniently. To qualify for the £50 bonus, customers had to meet several criteria. They needed to be Nationwide members as of September 30, 2024, and still be members when payments were issued. Additionally, during the 12 months ending September 30, 2024, members had to have either made at least one qualifying transaction on their Nationwide current or savings account, held at least a total of £100 across one or more of these accounts, or owed at least £100 on one or more Nationwide residential mortgages. Another way to qualify was by switching to a Nationwide current account using the Current Account Switch Service between July 1 and September 30, 2024. This approach allowed newer members who switched during this specific period to also benefit from the Thank You payment. Nationwide’s Big Thank You bonus was a way to reward loyalty and acknowledge the community of members during a period of change for the building society. The gesture came after its notable acquisition of Virgin Money, aiming to strengthen customer relations and express gratitude for continued support. With the January 2026 deadline fast approaching, Nationwide urges customers who haven’t yet cashed their cheques to do so promptly to avoid any complications. The society’s spokesperson reassured that while all payments have been made, any late deposit issues will be handled sensitively but stressed the importance of meeting the deadline. In summary, if you received a cheque as part of this scheme, act fast. For others, the bonus should already be credited and accessible. This move reflects Nationwide’s commitment to rewarding its members while navigating through a significant corporate transition.