Nationwide has informed its millions of members about when and why a ‘small amount’ of their money could be donated to charity.

The world’s largest building society has contacted its customers in advance of some significant changes being implemented in 2026.

In leaflets sent out to members, Nationwide has outlined that it can “close your account at any time”, noting that if this occurs customers will be given at least two months’ notice beforehand.

Circumstances for your account being shut more rapidly can include a customer severely or persistently violating the terms of the agreement, failing to pay money owed to Nationwide despite being requested, or having or being suspected of perpetrating fraud or other criminal activities on the account.

Other reasons cited by Nationwide include having supplied false or misleading information during application – and had the accurate information been provided the account wouldn’t have been authorised, being abusive or threatening, or the account remaining active being in potential violation of the law.

Nationwide said that when an account is shut all future payments will be cancelled, unless it’s too late to cancel a particular payment, and send any money remaining in the account to you.

It added: “We’ll take away amounts you owe us, like charges and interest.”

For members whose accounts have remained dormant for extended periods, Nationwide stated: “If there’s a small amount of money in the account when we close it, we may donate it to charity. We’ll only do this if you haven’t used the account for a long time.

“We won’t do this if you have another current account or savings account with us that we can pay the money to. You can still ask us to return the money to you if we do this.”

Should the account remain untouched for 15 years, Nationwide said that it might transfer any remaining funds to the Unclaimed Assets Scheme, noting: “You’ll still be able to get your money back if you ask us. The Unclaimed Assets Scheme uses this money to help benefit good causes.”

Should your account be closed, you will be required to settle any outstanding debts owed to Nationwide, and are recommended to destroy your card along with any unused cheques.