Nationwide has urged customers to follow its latest guidance carefully when switching bank accounts, warning that some payments could fail if the correct steps are not followed.

The building society said customers with subscriptions such as Netflix may need to take action to avoid any disruption to payments.

Talking about what’s included when you switch to Nationwide, it says that “in a full switch, your account balance will be brought over to your new account. It also says that you can get “updates on the progress of your account switch” if you supply them with your contact details when you apply. But not everything is included.

What is not included in a full switch?

Nationwide has warned customers with popular subscriptions, such as Netflix, that they may need to take action. It explains: “Regular bills and subscriptions you pay with your debit card, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. (You’ll need to give them your new debit card number.)”

The 2025 Which? Banking Brand of the Year also notes that if you use “mobile payments like Apple Pay, you’ll need to set these up again using your new debit card”.

It also says that the following is not included in a full switch:

What else is included in a full switch?

• Closing your old account once the switch is complete. This means your old debit card will stop working.
• Your list of payees (everyone you’ve sent payments to), so you won’t need to ask for their details again.
• Any new payments you’ve set up a week or more before your switch date. Once you’re within 7 days of your switch date, it’s best to set them up on your new account.
• Regular income like your salary, pension or benefits payments.
• Regular outgoings such as utility bills.
• A safety redirect to catch payments sent to your old account in case someone doesn’t use your new account details. Nationwide can also contact the sender and give them your new account details. If you don’t want the bank to do this, just let them know.

It adds: “There are other ways you can switch to Nationwide, like partial and manual switches.”