Introduction
If you’ve ever tried to transfer money to a building society account, you might have come across a strange term — the roll number. Many people wonder, what is roll number building society, and why it’s needed when making payments.
A building society roll number is an extra identifier used by some UK building societies to route payments correctly to individual members. While it may sound complicated, understanding it is simple once you know its purpose. In this guide, you’ll learn everything about what a roll number is, how it works, when you need it, and how it differs from account numbers and sort codes.
What Is a Building Society Roll Number?
A building society roll number is a unique combination of letters and numbers that helps identify your individual account within a building society. Unlike banks, many building societies don’t assign each member a separate account number. Instead, they use a general account number plus a roll number to distinguish between members.
Think of the roll number as your membership reference. It ensures that when money is sent to the society’s shared account, it reaches your specific account safely and accurately.
For example, if someone is sending you money, they’ll need your building society’s sort code, account number, and your personal roll number — which they must enter in the payment reference field.
Why Do Building Societies Use Roll Numbers?
Building societies have a long history, dating back to the 18th century. Originally, they were community-based organizations where members pooled money to provide affordable loans and savings options.
Over time, as these societies grew, they needed a way to track individual members within a shared financial structure. Instead of giving every member a unique account number, they created roll numbers — identifiers linked to each member’s share in the society.
Even today, some building societies continue this system. It works efficiently within their internal setup and ensures accuracy in crediting payments to the correct member.
In short, roll numbers are a legacy system that helps preserve the traditional structure of member-based savings and lending organizations.
How a Roll Number Works in Practice
When you send money to a building society account, you’ll usually enter three details:
- Sort Code – The bank code for the building society’s branch.
- Account Number – The main account number of the society.
- Roll Number – Your unique membership or account reference.
Here’s how it works:
- The payment first reaches the building society’s main account.
- The roll number then tells the system which member should receive the funds.
- The society allocates the money to your individual account.
If you forget to include your roll number, the payment may be delayed or misrouted. That’s why you should always double-check it when transferring money or setting up standing orders.
Format, Characters, and Variations
The format of a building society roll number varies depending on the institution. Most are alphanumeric, meaning they include both letters and numbers.
- Typical length: 8 to 18 characters.
- Common elements: Letters, numbers, hyphens, or slashes.
- Example: “ABC/123456789” or “1234-5678-9A”.
Each building society has its own system for assigning roll numbers. You can find your roll number on your account statement, passbook, or online banking dashboard.
If you’re unsure where to look, contact your society’s customer service or check their help section online. They can guide you to the correct number and field to enter during a transfer.
Examples from Major UK Building Societies
Here are examples of how roll numbers are used by some well-known UK building societies:
- Nationwide Building Society: Most modern accounts now use standard account numbers and sort codes, but older accounts may still require a roll number.
- Yorkshire Building Society (YBS): Often requires the roll number when sending payments. It should be entered in the payment reference field.
- Coventry Building Society: Some savings accounts still use roll numbers; others have switched to regular account formats.
- Halifax Building Society (now a bank): Historically used roll numbers before fully adopting bank-style account numbers.
Each society handles roll numbers slightly differently, so always check your specific account details.
Roll Number vs. Account Number vs. Sort Code
People often confuse roll numbers with account numbers or sort codes. Here’s how they differ:
- Sort Code: Identifies the building society branch.
- Account Number: Identifies the main account used by the society.
- Roll Number: Identifies your individual membership within that main account.
In most cases, you’ll need all three pieces of information to make a successful payment.
If you’re setting up a transfer online and the form doesn’t have a specific roll number field, you can safely enter it in the reference section. This ensures the money is routed correctly.
When You Don’t Need a Roll Number
Not every transaction requires a roll number. You can skip it in certain cases:
- Modern Building Society Accounts: Many societies now issue personal account numbers, making roll numbers unnecessary.
- Direct Debits and Standing Orders: These are usually set up internally by your society, so the roll number is automatically recognized.
- International Transfers (IBAN/SWIFT): When sending money from abroad, you’ll use the IBAN, which already contains unique identifiers.
If your building society account doesn’t have a roll number, or you can’t find one, don’t worry — that simply means it isn’t required for your account type.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
While using a building society roll number is simple, small errors can cause issues. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
- Forgetting to include your roll number: Payments without a roll number may take days to locate. Always double-check before sending money.
- Entering the roll number in the wrong field: Use the reference or payment reference field, not the account number field.
- Incorrect formatting: Some societies need letters and special symbols exactly as shown. If you skip them, your payment may be delayed.
- Using someone else’s roll number: Never reuse or share roll numbers — they’re unique to each member.
If your payment doesn’t arrive on time, contact your building society immediately. They can trace it using your roll number and transaction details.
What Happens If You Omit or Misuse a Roll Number
If you send money without including your roll number, the payment will still reach the building society — but not your specific account. It will sit in a holding account until it’s manually reviewed.
You’ll likely need to contact customer support and provide proof of payment. They’ll locate and credit the money to your account once they verify the transaction.
This can take several days, so it’s always best to use the correct roll number from the start.
How to Find Your Building Society Roll Number
You can locate your roll number in several ways:
- On your paper statement or welcome letter.
- Inside your online banking app under account details.
- In your passbook (for traditional savings accounts).
- By calling your building society’s helpline.
If you still can’t find it, the society’s website will often have instructions specific to your account type.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is the roll number the same as the account number?
No. The roll number identifies your membership, while the account number identifies the society’s main account.
Q2. How long is a building society roll number?
Usually between 8 and 18 characters, though it varies by society.
Q3. Where do I enter my roll number when sending money?
Enter it in the payment reference field.
Q4. What if I don’t have a roll number?
If your account doesn’t list one, you likely don’t need it — many modern societies use standard account numbers.
Q5. Can I use a roll number for international payments?
No. International transfers use IBANs or SWIFT codes, which already include your unique account identifiers.
Conclusion
Understanding what is roll number building society helps you make payments smoothly and avoid delays. Roll numbers may seem outdated, but they remain important for many traditional UK building societies.
Always include your roll number exactly as shown on your statement, use it in the correct field, and keep it private. By doing so, your payments will always reach the right destination quickly and securely.
If you’re unsure whether your account needs one, contact your building society — they’ll guide you on what details to use for your transfers.
