Confirmation of Payee

Check the details before you pay.

Confirmation of Payee is a service that helps you check whether the account name and account number you've entered match the account you're paying.

It gives you more confidence you're paying the right person, or business and helps reduce the risk of payment mistakes and scams.

Important: Confirmation of Payee is an extra check only. It does not guarantee a payment is safe, so you should always take a moment to check the details and make sure you trust who you're paying.

How it works

When you make a payment to someone new in Online Banking, or the Mobile Banking App:

  1. Enter the payee details. You'll need to enter the account holder name and account number.
  2. We check the details. Confirmation of Payee compares the name and account number you entered with the receiving bank's records.
  3. You receive a result. You'll see a message to help you decide whether to continue, change the details, or stop the payment. 

You can usually still proceed with the payment, but the result is there to help you make a safe decision. 

What this means for you

  • When paying someone new, always use their full account name (not a nickname or initials)
  • If someone is paying you, make sure you share your correct account name and number
  • Take your time- a few extra seconds can help prevent mistakes

What the results mean

 

Match 

The name and account number match the bank's records.

  • This gives you more confidence the details are correct
  • It does not guarantee the payment is safe or that the payee is legitimate

Partial Match

The name is similar but not an exact match.

This can happen if:

  • There's a small typo
  • A shortened or preferred name is used
  • The formatting is slightly different

If you see this result, double check the details with the payee before continuing.

No Match

The name and account number do not match.

This could mean:

  • The account number is wrong
  • The name is incorrect
  • You may not be paying the intended person

Stop and confirm the details before proceeding.

Can't check account details

We're unable to confirm the account details.

This may happen if:

  • The other bank doesn't support the service
  • The account can't be checked

Only continue if you're confident the details are correct.

Can't check right now

A temporary issue means we can't complete the check.

Try again later where possible. If you proceed, make sure you trust the payee.

Account may not exist

The account number couldn't be confirmed. 

Double check the number carefully before proceeding.

Need help?

If you're unsure about a payment or think something isn't right, stop and check the details before continuing.

If you believe you're made a payment in error or may be dealing with a scam, contact us as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Use the account holder’s full name as held by their bank.

    • For individuals: usually first and last name
    • For businesses: the legal business name

    Avoid using nicknames or initials, as these may not return a match.

  • For joint accounts, entering one account holder’s name is usually enough to return a match.

    This means:

    • You don’t need to enter both names exactly
    • A match may be returned if either account holder’s name is correct

  • No. It only checks the account name and account number.

  • Not always.

    You’ll usually see Confirmation of Payee when:

    • Adding a new payee
    • Editing payee details
    • Making a one-off payment

    It may not apply to:

    • Saved payees
    • Overseas payments
    • Some bill payments or registered payees

  • No. A Match only means the name and number align with the bank’s records.

    It does not confirm the person or business is genuine.

    • Double-check the spelling and details
    • Contact the payee to confirm
    • Only continue if you are confident the details are correct

  • Do not ignore it.

    • Check the details carefully
    • Contact the payee using a trusted method
    • Be cautious if someone asks you to “ignore” the result

  • Yes, but you should be careful.

    Confirmation of Payee helps inform your decision — it doesn’t usually block a payment.

    If anything doesn’t look right, stop and confirm first.

  • It can be difficult to recover money once it has been sent.

    That’s why it’s important to:

    • Check details carefully
    • Pay attention to the Confirmation of Payee result
    • Only proceed when you are confident

  • If you’re paying a business:

    • Use the legal business name where possible
    • Trading names may not always return a match

  • Some names with macrons or special characters may not match exactly.

    If needed, try entering the name without special characters.

    • Always double-check the account name and number
    • Be cautious if details suddenly change
    • Never feel rushed into making a payment
    • Be wary if someone tells you to ignore a “No Match” result