Incoming and Outgoing Payments

To keep you updated on our existing processes, we have provided specific cut-off times for all incoming and outgoing payments and outlined our standard cheque clearing processes.

  • Paying money into your account

    When you pay in cheques drawn on other banks, they are processed through a standard cheque clearing cycle.

    The standard cheque clearance process on all sterling accounts refers to:

    • the time taken before funds paid into an account by a cheque can be withdrawn, or
    • the time taken before interest starts to accrue on funds paid into an account by cheque, this is referred to as “Cleared for Interest Payment purposes”.

    Cheque Clearing Cycle on your Account

    Information relating to sterling cheques issued in the UK

    On the 30 October 2017 a new Next Business Day cheque clearing cycle was introduced for all banks in the UK running alongside the existing “6 Business Days cheque clearing cycle”. The clearing cycle used depends on which bank a cheque is deposited with, and by the method of deposit. From 30 October 2017, until the 6 Business Day clearing cycle is removed, both clearing cycles will be in operation. You should anticipate money from cheques you write leaving your account on the next Business Day; and money being cleared from cheques you deposit within 6 Business Days.

    You should always ensure you have sufficient funds in your account prior to issuing a cheque.

     Cheque Clearing Cycle Image

    More information about how the cheque clearing cycle works across UK banks can be found on the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company website.

    These timescales are industry guidelines. Interest calculations and the availability of funds may be earlier in certain circumstances.

    Cheques paid in at a branch after 17:00 on a Business Day or any day which is not a Business Day may not begin to be processed until the next Business Day. Some branches have an earlier cut-off than 17:00. A notice will be displayed in such branches which will specify the earlier cut-off time. Cheques paid in via alternate methods than a branch will have different cut-off times. Please refer to the specific Terms & Conditions for that method of deposit for more details.

    Cheques issued outside the UK

    Cheques drawn abroad in sterling and/or foreign currency may be paid in, but will follow a different process. Please contact your Relationship Manager for further details.

    Cheques drawn in Scotland and Northern Ireland

    Cheques drawn on banks/branches in Scotland and Northern Ireland clear in the same timescales as English and Welsh cheques, however you should be aware of local bank holidays which may impact how or when cheques can be deposited. The cycle may be longer when paying in through other financial institutions or agents (such as Post Offices) as the cycle will not start until we receive the cheques.

    Making payments by cheque

    If you make a payment to someone by cheque and it is paid in at a branch of any UK Bank, the money could leave your account from the next business day. You should always ensure you have sufficient funds in your account prior to issuing a cheque.

    For added security, if you make a cheque payable to a utility company (e.g. water or electricity companies) or to a financial company (e.g. a bank or credit card company), please include your reference / account number on the reverse of the cheque.

    Cheque encashments

    For cash withdrawals/encashments, subject to your agreed credit limit, you can write a cheque with the word 'cash' on the 'pay' line, and hand it over at the counter at any branch of Lloyds Bank.

    You will need to provide some form of identification such as a Photo ID driver’s licence or passport.

    If you wish to withdraw a large amount of cash, please let us know in advance. If you cash a cheque at a Lloyds Bank branch, the money will leave your account on the same day.

    How to stop a cheque

    Sometimes, you may need to stop a cheque being paid. To do this, you should phone your service centre as soon as possible, giving details of any replacement cheque that you write.

    To stop a cheque, we will need to know:

    • cheque number
    • amount
    • date of issue
    • payee

    A fee is payable for stopping a cheque, unless the cheque has been reported as lost or stolen.

    Please follow this same process and let us know immediately if you have lost or have had your cheque book stolen.

    Returned cheques and other items

    If we need to return a cheque you have written or another item drawn on your account due to lack of funds, we will contact you directly with the information and details of any charges.

    Unpaid cheques

    If we have been advised that a cheque you have paid into your account is being returned unpaid, we will write to you with details of the unpaid cheque. This will usually be within two working days of the advice to us.

    Out-of-date cheques

    If you have been issued with a cheque that is more than six months old you should ask the person you received it from to write a new one and destroy or return the old one to them.

    At our discretion, we may or may not choose to process cheques that are more than six months old. Please do not assume all cheques unpaid will be returned to you because it was written more than six months ago. If you do not wish for a particular cheque to be paid then it should be stopped.

    Further information

    Please contact your Relationship Manager, service centre or your local branch services for further information.

  • View current payment cut-off times,(PDF, 2.4MB) which apply to payments initiated via Commercial Banking Online.

    View current payment cut-off times, (PDF, 124KB) which apply to Manual payments and require Code Authenticator.

    We also have available payment cut-off times, (PDF, 124KB) for Correspondent Banking Services sent by SWIFT.

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