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Important information
The Banking Code and you

Important information

Calls may be recorded. Provision of these credit facilities does not confer membership rights in Nationwide Building Society.

All Nationwide's Credit Card Insurances are underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance plc.

Extended warranty provides a free 12 month cover for many gas or electrical items that cost over £50, and have a manufacturers warranty of up to 2 years, when purchased with a Nationwide Credit Card or Gold Card. Customers must register new products within 60 days of purchase. The policy document contains full details of items that are excluded from cover.

Nationwide Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for life assurance, pensions, unit trusts, insurance and regulated mortgages.

If we cannot settle your complaint to your satisfaction through our internal procedure you may refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

If you change your mind about your Nationwide credit card within 14 days of opening your account, you can cancel your agreement with us. To do this, you should write to Nationwide Building Society, Credit Card Services, PO Box 8738, Wigston, LE18 9BG and return all the cards we have issued, cut in two and repay anything you owe us under the agreement. Unless agreed otherwise English law will apply and all communications and documentation in relation to your credit card account will be in English.

Where we carry out a search about you at a credit reference agency, the agency will record details of this search and this information will be made available to other organisations to which you may apply for credit. However, you should be aware that multiple credit searches on your credit reference agency records may make it difficult for you to obtain credit elsewhere.

If you have taken out Payment Protection Insurance we may restrict or prohibit the use of your credit card if you claim a benefit from this insurance.

Nationwide Building Society, Nationwide House, Pipers Way, Swindon, SN38 1NW.
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The Banking Code and you

Setting standards for banks, building societies and other banking service providers.

We subscribe to the Banking Code. Not all financial institutions do. Doing your banking with someone who subscribes to the Banking Code gives you extra confidence. You should check that any other financial institution you deal with for banking services (such as savings accounts, current accounts, loans and credit cards) also subscribes.

The Banking Code sets minimum standards of good service that you can expect from banks, building societies and other providers of banking services. This leaflet tells you about our key commitments and responsibilities to you under the Banking Code.

Our key commitments to you

We promise that we will act fairly and reasonably in all our dealings with you by meeting all the commitments and standards in this Code. The key commitments are shown below.

  • we will make sure that our advertising and promotional literature is clear and not misleading and that you are given clear information about our products and services
  • we will give you clear information about accounts and services, how they work, their terms and conditions and the interest rates which may apply
  • we will help you use your account or service by sending you regular statements (where appropriate) and we will keep you informed about changes to the interest rates, charges or terms and conditions
  • we will help you to switch your current account between financial institutions subscribing to this Code
  • we will lend responsibly
  • we will deal quickly and sympathetically with things that go wrong and consider all cases of financial difficulty sympathetically and positively
  • we will treat all your personal information as private and confidential, and operate secure and reliable banking and payment systems
  • we will publicise this Code, have copies available and make sure that our staff are trained to put it into practice

How you can find out more

The Banking Code is updated regularly. The most recent edition came into force on 31 March 2008. It contains standards that cover:
  • choosing products and services which meet your needs
  • running your account
  • borrowing money
  • interest rates, charges and terms and conditions, and how you will be told about any changes to these
  • cards and PINs
  • protecting your account and your personal information
  • moving or closing your account
  • dealing with financial difficulties
  • complaints

How to make a complaint

If you ask us, we will tell you how to make a complaint and how quickly we will deal with it. If we cannot settle the complaint to your satisfaction, you may ask the Financial Ombudsman Service to look into it. You can contact them both at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SR.

Copies of The Banking Code

If you would like a free copy of the Banking Code, you can get one from us. Or you can view and download a copy from the British Bankers' Association's website at www.bba.org.uk.

Banking Code Standards Board


The Banking Code is monitored by an independent organisation – the Banking Code Standards Board. It makes sure that any institutions which subscribe to the Code follow it and it can take action if any institution fails to do so. You can contact them at Level 12, City Tower, 40 Basinghall Street, London, EC2V 5DE or via their website at www.bankingcode.org.uk.
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Payment difficulties

If you find yourself in financial difficulties, visit our help and advice section.
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