Nationwide Building Society has rolled out a new feature that could benefit up to 4.1 million women by allowing customers to block harmful payment references. The UK bank aims to safeguard abuse survivors from threatening or abusive messages sent via payment references, a tactic used by abusers to maintain unwanted contact and control. These upsetting messages appear when a payment is received in an account. Now, Nationwide customers can hide these references on incoming transfers directly through the Nationwide app, avoiding distressing messages.
Economic Abuse Statistics
UK charity Surviving Economic Abuse estimates that roughly 14% of women across the country experienced economic abuse from a current or former partner in 2024 alone. Among those surveyed, 8% of Black, Asian and other ethnic minority women, 8% of women with children, and 7% of disabled women received threatening messages when their partner or ex-partner transferred them money. Additionally, 42% of women who experienced economic abuse did not speak to anyone about it.
Key Figures on Economic Abuse
- One in seven UK women experienced economic abuse in the past 12 months
- Nearly a quarter of disabled women in the UK have experienced economic abuse
- Nearly a third of Black, Asian and other ethnic minority women also experienced it
- Women in London reported the highest levels of abuse with 25% affected
- About 72% of survivors said the economic abuse caused them harm
Source: Surviving Economic Abuse
This change protects anyone from abuse regardless of gender, though the issue disproportionately affects women. The bank has said this measure could also be rolled out to Virgin Money customers. Nationwide reported its specialist support team helped 312 customers in 2025, up from 213 in 2024. This follows previous changes like 'safe spaces' at 430 branches across the UK where domestic abuse victims can access support.
Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide, said: 'Domestic abuse doesn't stop and start at physical harm, it can reach into everyday systems, including banking. When applied, the hide reference feature puts control back with the customer, where it belongs.' She urges anyone affected to visit a Nationwide safe space or contact Surviving Economic Abuse.
Sam Smethers, CEO of Surviving Economic Abuse, added: 'For far too long, domestic abusers have exploited everyday banking tools, like payment references, to harass and control survivors even after separation. No one should feel scared when accessing their own money. We're proud to have worked with Nationwide to co-develop this tool alongside survivors, giving them greater control by empowering them to hide abusive payment references.' The CEO is now calling for other banks to follow suit to close loopholes exploited by abusers.
