Do bank transfers go through on bank holidays and weekends?
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
It depends on which payment system carries the money. In the UK, Faster Payments runs around the clock, every day of the year, while Bacs and CHAPS only process on working days. So some transfers arrive in seconds on a bank holiday and others wait until the next working day.
Which systems keep running
- Faster Payments: runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so most online transfers between UK accounts still go through.
- Bacs: used for salaries and Direct Debits, and only processes on working days, so payments due on a holiday move to a working day.
- CHAPS: used for large, same-day payments such as house purchases, and only runs on working days within set hours.
Your own bank still matters
Even when the payment system is open, a bank can hold a payment for checks, or have its own limits and cut-off times. If a payment is urgent, check with your provider before the holiday.
International payments
Money sent abroad usually waits for working days in both countries, and sometimes in the country of any bank in between. A holiday in either place can add a day or more.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms give your customers GBP, EUR and USD accounts and transfers under your own brand, powered by licensed partners. How fast each transfer arrives depends on the payment system it travels on.
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.