Nationwide Building Society is offering its customers a potential cash boost of £275 in 2026, but they must act quickly and follow specific steps to secure the money.
Two Paths to a Lucrative Payout
The mutual lender is running two separate schemes that, if combined, could put a significant sum into members' pockets. The first is the potential return of its popular 'Fairer Share' payment, which historically has given eligible current account holders £100. While Nationwide has not officially confirmed the scheme for 2026, customers can prepare based on last year's criteria.
The second is a confirmed £175 switching bonus for new and existing customers who move a current account to Nationwide using the Current Account Switch Service. This offer has a firm deadline of 31 March 2026.
The Nine Steps to Qualify for £100 Fairer Share
If the Fairer Share initiative follows previous years' rules, customers must meet several criteria by key dates. For all eligible customers, the foundational steps are:
1. Do not close your main Nationwide account before 31 March 2026.
2. Actively use your qualifying current account (FlexAccount, FlexBasic, FlexDirect, FlexPlus, etc.) in January, February, and March 2026.
3. Hold at least £100 in a Nationwide savings account or owe at least £100 on a Nationwide mortgage in March 2026.
Additional requirements vary by account type. For example, FlexAccount, FlexBasic and FlexDirect holders must pay in £500 and make two payments out, or make 10 outgoing payments, or complete a switch. FlexPlus customers simply need to pay their monthly fee.
How to Secure the £175 Switching Bonus
Running concurrently is the £175 switch incentive. To get this payment, you must switch from a non-Nationwide account to a FlexDirect, FlexAccount, or FlexPlus account using the full Current Account Switch Service, which closes your old account.
The switch must be requested and completed within 28 days, and you must also:
- Transfer a minimum of two active Direct Debits.
- Pay in at least £1,000.
- Make one debit card payment within 31 days of the new account opening.
The account must be opened online, via Nationwide's internet bank, or through its Mobile Banking App.
Act Now for a Combined £275 Windfall
By successfully completing the switch for the £175 bonus and then meeting the Fairer Share criteria, customers could be in line for a total of £275. However, the window for action is closing.
The building society typically announces the fate of the Fairer Share scheme in May, with any payments following in June. The last payout saw £400 million distributed to 4 million members in June and July 2025.
Prospective beneficiaries are urged to check their eligibility and ensure their accounts are in order to maximise their chance of receiving this lucrative offer from one of the UK's largest high street banks.
