The new feature builds on wider industry measures
Millions of bank customers are to be handed a new power over routine payments, under a new initiative revealed today.
Nationwide Building Society has become the first major high street lender to allow customers to conceal payment references on incoming transfers – a tactic increasingly exploited by abusers to torment victims long after relationships have broken down. The measure is designed to tackle economic abuse, whereby perpetrators manipulate financial systems to control or intimidate former partners. For countless victims, something as ordinary as checking a bank balance can leave them exposed to threatening or manipulative messages buried within payment references – frequently sent through repeated small transactions.
Campaign group Surviving Economic Abuse estimates that 4.2 million women in the UK – roughly one in 62 – have suffered economic abuse at the hands of a current or former partner.
The sheer scale of the problem is also evident within Nationwide itself. Its specialist support team dealt with 312 cases in 2025, a sharp rise from 213 the previous year.
‘Puts control back with the customer’
Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide, said: “Domestic abuse doesn’t stop and start at physical harm, it can reach into everyday systems, including banking. When applied, the hide reference feature puts control back with the customer, where it belongs.” She encouraged anyone affected to seek assistance through the firm’s support services, whether in branch, online or via dedicated Safe Spaces.
Cracking down on offenders
The new feature expands on broader industry measures introduced last year under the Faster Payments system, aimed at tackling abusive messages.
Nationwide has already implemented a three-stage warning system, enabling banks to flag harmful conduct to sending institutions. Those who repeatedly offend could ultimately face account closure.
Early indications suggest the policy is having an effect, with abusive behaviour frequently ceasing after the initial warning.
Sam Smethers, chief executive of Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “For far too long, domestic abusers have exploited everyday banking tools, like payment references, to harass and control survivors even after separation. No one should feel scared when accessing their own money.
“We’re proud to have worked with Nationwide to co-develop this tool alongside survivors, giving them greater control by empowering them to hide abusive payment references.”
She went on to say that the building society was “the first UK building society to take decisive action against perpetrators”, including withdrawing banking services from repeat offenders.
Broader support for victims
This initiative is part of a wider package of assistance provided by Nationwide, including:
- Safe Spaces across all 430 branches, providing private areas for those needing help
- A partnership with Refuge, which has already resulted in dozens of referrals
- Specialist teams trained to identify warning signs and assist vulnerable customers
Mounting pressure on banks
The launch is expected to intensify pressure on competing lenders to adopt similar measures, as campaigners caution that financial tools can be weaponised in subtle yet profoundly harmful ways.
