BACs Transfers and Processing Explained

Originally written by Jennifer Lowe, updated by the editorial team on 28th June 2026

What is a BACS Transfer?

BACS stands for Bankers Automated Clearing Services. It is the system UK banks and building societies use to move money between accounts electronically.

If you receive a salary or pension directly into your bank account, it may arrive via BACS. The same system handles many regular outgoings such as direct debits and standing orders, though Faster Payments and CHAPS are also widely used for bank transfers.

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How BACS Came About

The system was set up in 1968, when most payments still relied on paper cheques and manual processing. Banks needed a more reliable way to handle the growing volume of transactions.

BACS is operated by Bacs Payment Schemes Limited under the oversight of Pay.UK. It now processes billions of transactions each year, covering everything from wages to household bills.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How Long Do BACS Payments Take?

A standard BACS transfer takes three working days to complete. The payment is submitted on day one, processed on day two, and arrives on day three.

Weekends and bank holidays are not counted as working days, so payments made towards the end of the week may take longer to clear. Some organisations can arrange next day BACS payments, though this is less common. Faster Payments often clear on the same day for those who need quicker transfers.

Is BACS Secure?

BACS has a strong track record for reliability and security. For most routine payments, particularly regular salary and bill payments, it remains widely used. Domestic BACS transfers typically carry no fees.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our UK Payment Method Eligibility Checker lets you wondering if a payment can actually be made between specific people or accounts? Tell us the method, who is paying and who is receiving, and we will explain whether it works and what the rules are. Try it now →

Showing 20 of 170 questions

Ask Bank Account Advice a Question

Gill 06/11/2020 at 8:57 am

Can a Bacs payment be made into a deposit account?

Kit 08/08/2020 at 7:33 am

I was supposed to have funds from a sale of a mobile home from the management to be paid to me by BACS - they ve already had my money for 21 days and says that the account department can’t pay me as l don’t have a set up account with them us this true l thought with just my bank details l could have it transferred with a few day’s ?

Paul 25/05/2020 at 1:19 am

Our family solicitor transferred a share of my Aunts estate via BACS to my account, it has been placed as pending and have been advised it is due to security checks, the banks protocol is 2-4hours to clear. Despite 4 phone calls and now 72 hours since the transfer was executed, I'm still no further forward as it shows 'pending' in my account. Can I recall the transaction?

John gibson 13/05/2020 at 9:40 am

Can I receive self employed grant into my savings account

Paul 15/04/2020 at 7:29 am

I get paid on a Friday but it was good Friday so my wage didn’t get into my account till yesterday morning is this normal

Kaz 10/04/2020 at 1:24 pm

Hi, my solicitor has informed me that payment of damages in personal injury case has been put into their account but are unable to trace the monies at present. Is this possible? Thanks.

leanne 24/07/2019 at 8:38 am

my new job pays weekly and my payslip says payment type is BACS. i have given them my bank details on monday and my payslip says payment date 24 July (today) and i still haven’t been paid. when will i be payed?

Roe 06/06/2019 at 7:46 am

I have recently retired and live in the Republic of Ireland but will receive a monthly UK pension transferred by BACS how long will it take to show in my bank account in Ireland?

Hatcher 11/01/2019 at 7:30 pm

If I was paid via Bacs on Wednesday evening would this show in my online banking as a pending not cleared transaction after the event ? Or not show anything at all until cleared ?

Naeveh 18/12/2018 at 9:27 pm

Hi my company pay us via bacs and have asked for our time sheets in before 7.30am on Thursday morning. They are say we will recieve our wages on Saturday or saunday. Is this possible for bacs . I thought it was 3 working days so would recieve monday?

EllieScotty 25/11/2018 at 6:05 pm

Hi there, I put Dow a deposit for a wedding to Doubletree Hilton for £1200. It was accepted at £800 and then there was an error thinking my bank didn’t like so much being taken. So arranged a bank transfer for the remaining £400. We have asked to cancel it and they agreed to refund the money. The £800 was in our account within couple of days and the £400 is till not returned. This was September. They are saying that the bacs is a long process and being done from India? I was told if still not in my account by 10th December then to chase it but it’s been 2 months now. Does this seem right?

Rikki 19/09/2018 at 8:30 pm

My solicitor tells me they sent a bacs payment to my natwest account on Monday when will it be cleared

jack sparrow 18/09/2018 at 3:16 pm

hi i am on weekly pay for my new job if they prosses my wage on a friday what time would you think i would get it today i know they use BAC payments which is a three day cycle but can bac payments go in any time

BankAccountAdvice Editor 19/06/2018 at 3:09 pm

You would have to speak to your bank directly.

LeonaT 19/06/2018 at 10:54 am

My bank has closed my account and I didn't change my account details with my employer time. My salary is now being paid into a closed account. How long will it take to bounce back to my employer.

Para 30/04/2018 at 1:25 am

I was told by my life insurance company that a payment would be effective on the 23rd and in my account on 30th. Does this mean that the fund will be available in my bank to withdraw on the 30th?

BankAccountAdvice Editor 25/01/2018 at 11:53 am

It's unlikely your company will stop the payment, if you have worked for the money to date.

kev 24/01/2018 at 9:10 am

hi i get paid tomorrow by bacs i walked out last night can my company stop the payment but i do leave in 2 nightd time anyway

FaY Editor 14/12/2017 at 11:29 am

@Tina - insurance claims usually take longer to process, not through the bank necessarily, but throught the insurance system.

Tina 13/12/2017 at 9:54 am

After 8 weeks of chasing my pet insurance claim they have made a bacs payment last thursday and I am still waiting for it to go into my account. They said allow 14 days but I don't understand why when everything I read says such method takes 3 days, the last time i spoke to them i threatened them with the ombudsman and now i am wondering if this is another one of their games. What is this 14 days timeframe all about? please explain

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