Banking roll number is a misunderstood topic that we’re going to break down for you below.
We’ll share exactly what a roll number is, who it applies to, and why you need to make sure you include one when sending a transaction to certain recipients.
This article is part of our free series on banking in Europe, ranging from opening accounts with building societies in the UK to opening with Montenegro banks as a non-resident, click here to learn more.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- Banking Roll Number
- Where Is My Roll Number?
- Building Society Roll Numbers vs Account Numbers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Explore Your Options?
Banking Roll Number
A banking roll number (or roll number) refers to a member number for an account held with a building society in the United Kingdom. In short, a roll number is a unique identifier that allows the bank to correctly identify members when receiving funds. So, if you are sending money to a building society, you will need to include the roll number.
Where Is My Roll Number?
Your roll number is available to you directly from the building society where your accounts are held. You can confirm this by contacting the building society directly over the phone or in person. However, you can also find your roll number on the back of your account passbook book, which will have the number printed there.
Importantly, a banking roll number is between six and eight characters and consists of both letters and numbers. This number is in addition to the account number and sort code that you will also receive, as you would when banking at any other financial institution.
Building Society Roll Numbers vs Account Numbers
The main difference between building society roll numbers and account numbers is that a roll number is used for tracking the activities of a specific member while an account number is used for tracking a specific account. Additionally, building society roll numbers consist of both letters and numbers and are usually between six and eight characters long. On the other hand, an account number is only made up of numbers and is usually eight characters long.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are two of the most common questions that we receive from people looking into what a banking roll number is. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Do UK Banks Have a Roll Number?
No, UK banks do not have a roll number. Instead, roll numbers are exclusively used by UK building societies. However, roll numbers are in addition to an account number and a sort code. So, when sending funds to a building society, you normally need to insert the roll number (without any additional text) as the transaction reference. This will then inform the building society and let them understand where the transaction should be deposited.
Is Account Number Same as Roll Number?
No, account number is not the same as a roll number. Instead, a roll number is an additional identifier used by building societies in the UK. Roll numbers consist of both letters and characters and are typically between six and eight characters long. When sending funds to a UK building society, you will need to include the recipient’s account number, sort code, and banking roll number.
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