UK Bank Statement Codes Explained

A recurring payment that a company collects from your account on agreed dates. You authorise it once and the company can vary the amount within agreed limits.

Example: Your monthly gym membership, gas bill, or phone contract appearing on the same date each month.

A fixed recurring payment you set up yourself through your bank, for the same amount each time. Unlike a Direct Debit, only you can change or cancel it.

Example: Sending £500 rent to your landlord on the 1st of every month.

An internal transfer between your own accounts at the same bank — for example moving money from your current account to a savings account.

Example: Moving £200 from your NatWest current account to your NatWest savings account.

Money received into your account via the Faster Payments network — near-instant transfers from another UK bank account, usually clearing within seconds.

Example: A friend sending you £50 via their banking app to split a restaurant bill.

Money you sent to another account via the Faster Payments network. Most UK bank-to-bank transfers are processed this way.

Example: Paying a freelancer £300 via your banking app — it appears as FPO on your statement.

A purchase made using your Visa debit or credit card, either in-store or online.

Example: Buying groceries at Tesco using your debit card — it appears as VIS TESCO STORES on your statement.

A cash withdrawal made at an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The location or machine operator is usually shown alongside the code.

Example: Withdrawing £60 cash from a Barclays ATM appears as ATM followed by the machine location.

A cheque payment, either written by you or paid into your account. Usually followed by the cheque serial number.

Example: Paying a tradesperson by cheque — it appears as CHQ 000123 once they present it for payment.

Used by Halifax to indicate a credit — money coming into your account. It is equivalent to CR on other banks' statements.

Example: A salary payment at Halifax appearing as CDR EMPLOYER NAME.

An indicator that money is leaving your account. Sometimes appended to a balance amount rather than shown in a separate column.

Example: An overdrawn balance shown as 45.00 DR means you owe the bank £45.

An indicator that money has come into your account. The opposite of DR.

Example: A refund appearing as 29.99 CR means £29.99 has been credited back to your account.

A payment processed through the Bankers' Automated Clearing Services network. Takes 3 working days to clear. Commonly used for salaries and supplier payments.

Example: Your employer paying your salary via BACS — it appears as BAC or BACS followed by your employer's name.

A credit payment into your account via the Bank Giro system — commonly used for salary payments, pension credits, and HMRC tax refunds.

Example: Your monthly salary arriving as BGC EMPLOYER LTD.

Your account balance is in the negative — you owe money to the bank. OD is shown alongside your balance figure, not as a transaction itself.

Example: A balance shown as 120.00 OD means you are £120 overdrawn.

A transaction that was processed and then reversed — either a refund, an error correction, or a returned payment.

Example: A retailer refunding a purchase appears as REV followed by the original merchant name.

What does FPI mean on a bank statement?

FPI stands for Faster Payment In — it means money has been sent to your account via the Faster Payments system, typically from another UK bank account.

What does TFR mean on a bank statement?

TFR means Transfer — usually an internal transfer between your own accounts at the same bank.

What does CDR mean on a Halifax bank statement?

CDR on a Halifax statement means Credit — money coming into your account.

What does VIS mean on a bank statement?

VIS means a Visa card transaction — a purchase made using your debit or credit card.