Halifax explains who is eligible for extra payments into savings accounts

Halifax has provided clarity on who is eligible to use their 'Save the Change' scheme, which tops up your savings account when you make a payment.

A customer reached out to the bank via social media, expressing confusion over why they couldn't set up the service despite having a savings account.

They shared a screenshot of their Halifax banking app displaying a message that read: "No savings account. Save the Change only works if you have a savings account."

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The 'Save the Change' service rounds up payments made with your debit card to the nearest pound, transferring the difference to a nominated savings account the following working day.

Information on the Halifax website states: "To use Save the Change you'll need an eligible Halifax Bank current account and savings account."

Responding to the customer's query, Halifax clarified: "The account needs to be an instant saver, not an ISA or fixed saver. If you need more support, please go to search, message us and a colleague can check for you."

Customers should also be aware that the 'Save the Change' service cannot be used for certain types of payments. These include:

• Cash withdrawals, through branches, cash machines, shops and similar outlets
• Buying foreign currency you buy
• Bill payments you make through a machine
• Fees you are charged for using a non-Halifax, Lloyds Bank or Bank of Scotland cash machine.

Halifax explains that if you make a payment that is a whole pound amount, it won't be rounded up to the next pound. When paying for something with foreign currency, your change will be calculated after converting the transaction to pounds and applying any charges.

In cases where a debit card transaction is cancelled or reversed, such as when you get a refund or report a payment as fraudulent, the saved change will remain in your savings account. For joint account holders, Halifax saves the change from all debit card payments made by both parties.

However, the guidance includes this word of warning: "This means you mustn't register for Halifax Save the Change unless all your joint account holders agree.

"You must all transfer your change to the same savings account." Another point to remember is that if you opt into cashback extras, the cashback earned will be based on the amount of your debit card purchase or payment excluding the saved change.

Halifax is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, and other banks within the group also offer Save the Change. This includes Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland.