Martin Lewis Provides Crucial Update on Nationwide's Annual Payment Scheme
Financial expert Martin Lewis has offered important clarification regarding Nationwide Building Society's Fairer Share payment program for the coming year. The BBC and ITV personality addressed customer questions about the annual reward scheme that typically provides payments of £100 or £150 to eligible members.
Understanding the Fairer Share Payment Requirements
Lewis explained: "Nationwide is running its fairer share that it runs every year, and we're getting close to the eligibility criteria for existing customers. But you also have to have either savings or a mortgage with them as well as a current account in order to get a payment which is £100 or £150."
The money saving expert emphasized that while specific details for 2026 haven't been officially announced, he expects the building society to follow similar patterns to previous years. "I don't know the details for this year, they haven't announced it. I'm basing it on what it's done in past years, but I suspect it will be doing something similar."
Historical Context and Future Expectations
Nationwide Building Society has distributed Fairer Share bonuses to qualifying members annually since 2023, with payments typically made during June or July. In 2025 alone, the program benefited over 4 million people with £100 payments.
While the continuation of the scheme for 2026 isn't guaranteed, financial analysts anticipate it will proceed based on the building society's performance. The program represents one of the most substantial customer reward initiatives in the UK banking sector.
Eligibility Criteria Based on Previous Years
To qualify for the payment, customers generally need:
- An active Nationwide current account maintained until at least 31 March 2026
- Either a qualifying mortgage or savings account with the building society
- Specific account usage requirements, typically including receiving £500+ and making two or more payments out, or completing a full account switch
For savings customers, eligibility has historically required maintaining at least £100 in a Nationwide savings account at the end of any day during March of the previous year. Mortgage holders typically needed to owe at least £100 on their Nationwide mortgage as of 31 March of the previous year.
Lewis advised customers: "So if one were Nationwide, it would be having a look at the details of the fairer share scheme and what you can do to be eligible and then you might be able to get your £150 bonus on top."
The financial expert's guidance comes as many customers begin planning their financial arrangements for the coming year, with the Fairer Share payment representing a significant potential benefit for those who meet the requirements.
