Unity e-Payments
Bacs payments via a third party
We offer indirect submission for organisations that prefer to send Bacs payments via an approved bureau.
What are Unity e-Payments?
A Bacs payment is a bank-to-bank transfer between banks in the UK. These can be done directly or indirectly:
- Direct submission is where organisations send payment instructions directly to the Bacs system using their own Bacs-approved software and infrastructure.
- Unity e-Payments refers to the indirect submission of Bacs payments, where an organisation uses a third-party bureau to submit payment instructions to the Bacs system on the their behalf.
By using Unity e-Payments, organisations can easily handle high-volume, non-urgent payments while relying on a specialist provider for expertise and compliance.
How can Unity e-Payments help my business?
- Improve efficiency: All payment files are managed using our online payments platform.
- Access control: Control who can make and authorise payments.
- Flexibility: Securely submit, manage and process payments any time of day, 7 days a week.
- Confirmation of payee: Get assurance that your payments are going to the correct recipients.
- Reports: Automatically collect payment reports, identify and resolve failed transactions quickly.
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Unity e-Payments?
Ready to start using Unity e-Payments?
How do Unity e-Payments work?
Unity e-Payments, our bureau solution, allows you access to the Bacs system using out trusted partner, Bottomline, a global business payments and solutions provider who have over 35 years of experience.
Bacs payments have a cycle of three working days: they are submitted into the system on the first day, processed on the second day, and are debited and credited on the third day.
Day 1: Submission
You submit the payment instruction to Bacs, including the recipient's account number, sort code and payment reference.
Day 2: Processing
Bacs processes the instructions, checks security details and validates the payment.
Day 3: Payment
Funds are credited to the recipient's bank account by direct Credit or Debit.
All payments are made subject to funds being available. All payments go through our internal fraud and Anti-Money Laundering checking processes which may delay the debit being applied in certain circumstances.
Complete our Bacs Enquiry Form to register for Unity e-Payments and we’ll be in touch to discuss your needs. Once you’re set up on the e-Payments system, you’ll be able to manage your Unity e-Payments online.
Is there an alternative to submitting Bacs files indirectly via Unity e-Payments?
Yes. Bacs direct submission is available for organisations that prefer to submit Bacs files themselves.
What’s the difference between Bacs, Bulk Faster Payments and CHAPS?
Depending on your business needs, one of our other payment services may be more suitable for you. For a side-by-side comparison of Bacs, Bulk Faster Payments and CHAPS, including speed, costs and typical use cases, see our Payment Services comparison table.
How much do Unity e-Payments cost?
Our tariffs offer you the choice of a Single Payment or Batch Payment options for Unity e-Payments.
- Single payment allows you to input payee name, account, payment, and reference details, and make or collect the payment. These can be set up within Online Banking and have no additional cost.
- Batch payments allow you to group multiple smaller payments together within a file and send them through the service in a single submission, with costs based on the number of transactions you process per month.
Depending upon the volume of transactions you complete, one tariff may be more effective for you.
- Tariff 1: If you make fewer than 75 transactions each month.
- Tariff 2: If you make 75 or more transactions each month.
Tariff 1
Suitable for customers making up to 74 payments per month.
| Set up* | £300.00 |
| Template | £125.00 |
| Monthly charge | £15.00 |
| Transaction per item** | 60p |
| File submissions (per file) | £3.00 |
| Exceeding agreed credit limit | £100.00 |
* These charges are set by NatWest or other third-party providers.
** This charge applies to all debit and credit payments and AUDDIS transactions. Please note that Unity e-Payment can be used for direct debit collection, however, to do this, you would need to be set up as an AUDDIS originator.
For more details of our fees and charges, please see our Standard Service Tariff.
Tariff 2
Suitable for customers making 75 or more payments per month.
| Set up* | £300.00 |
| Template | £125.00 |
| Monthly charge | £30.00 |
| Transaction per item** | 25.2p |
| File submissions (per file) | £3.00 |
| Exceeding agreed credit limit | £100.00 |
* These charges are set by NatWest or other third-party providers.
** This charge applies to all debit and credit payments and AUDDIS transactions. Please note that Unity e-Payment can be used for direct debit collection, however, to do this, you would need to be set up as an AUDDIS originator.
For more details of our fees and charges, please see our Standard Service Tariff.
Is my organisation eligible to use Unity e-Payments?
To apply for Unity e-Payments, you must meet the below criteria:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Be a UK resident.
- Be a UK-based company, sole trader, business partner or director.
- Hold or open and maintain a business current account with us.
A credit limit is required to use this product and your application will be subject to meeting our eligibility criteria. This means we’ll complete a credit check and an assessment of your financial circumstances.
All applications are subject to Credit Approval. We reserve the right to decline any Bacs application and all facilities, once issued, are repayable on demand.
Ready to make an e-Payment?
To get started, simply complete our Bacs Enquiry Form and we’ll be in touch soon to discuss your needs.
Already registered for Unity e-Payments?
Other Unity payment services
Bacs Direct Submission
Bulk Faster Payments
CHAPS
Accepting Card Payments
Corporate Purchasing Cards
International Payments
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