Millions of customers received the bonus cash previously
Nationwide Building Society has released an update on a bonus payment scheme. It comes as millions of customers have previously received cash payouts through the scheme.
Members may be curious as to whether they’ll receive another payment this year through the Fairer Share scheme. There have been three rounds of £100 payments through the programme over each of the past three years. This bonus scheme sees Nationwide distribute its profits amongst its members. More than four million customers received the £100 sum last year.
When pressed on when it would confirm whether another payment would be made this year, a Nationwide spokesperson said: “Nationwide aims to make a Fairer Share payment again this year, subject to financial performance and Board approval. Any announcement, including eligibility criteria and amount, will be made on 21 May at Nationwide’s end‐of‐year financial results.”
What could qualifying criteria be for Nationwide Fairer Share payment?
While it remains to be confirmed whether a payment will be made and what the eligibility requirements will be, last year’s qualifying criteria may offer some indication of what the rules might look like. To be eligible for last year’s payment, members needed to hold a qualifying current account with Nationwide, alongside either a qualifying savings account or a mortgage.
Certain account activity between January and March of that year was also required. Full qualifying rules can be found on the Nationwide website.
Last year’s payment was deposited into customers’ Nationwide current accounts between June 18 and July 4. The payment appeared on statements as ‘Nationwide Fairer Share Payment’.
Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, was quizzed on whether she expects another round of payments. She said: “Nationwide have consistently offered the Fairer Share payment over the past three years, and they hope to do it again.
“However, it is all down to the performance of the mutual, so this is what members need to be aware of this year. It is also important that members check if they meet the terms to be eligible for the payment moving forward.”
More bonus cash from Nationwide?
Another consideration is whether Nationwide could launch a fresh switching incentive. The building society most recently offered a £175 switching deal, which came to an end in March 2026.
This payment was available to those moving their current account to a FlexDirect, FlexAccount, or FlexPlus account. Ms Springall said: “It is entirely possible that Nationwide could bring out another free cash switching offer, a year ago they were offering £200 to switchers at the end of May, all the way until mid-July 2025.”
Many banks are currently running switching incentives to attract new customers. At the time of writing, Barclays is offering £200, HMRC will pay you £500 if you join them, Santander is offering £180 and First Direct will pay you £175.
