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The Main Scheme

Operationally active since 2011, banks and building societies with balance sheets valued above £7bn are eligible to join the Main Scheme (though smaller entities can opt to join this rather than the Alternative Scheme). Organisations that choose to participate (‘participants’), can transfer money from dormant current and savings accounts to RFL after a period of 15 years since the last contact with the account holder.

RFL (in compliance with the Dormant Assets Act 2008 to 2022) ensures that the account holders’ right to reclaim their money, at any time, is protected in perpetuity. Account holders reclaim their funds from the organisation with which they held an account, which is in turn reimbursed by RFL who hold the liability. RFL transfers surplus funds (i.e. funds that are not required to meet future reclaims) to The National Lottery Community Fund (previously known as Big Lottery Fund), which distributes these amounts to good causes across the UK.

37

participants

4000

c. No of good causes across 4 nations

Participants

Participating Banks and Building Societies:

  • Allied Irish Bank (UK) p.l.c.
  • ANZ – London branch
  • Bank Hapoalim – London branch
  • Bank Leumi UK plc
  • Barclays Bank UK PLC
  • Butterfield Bank (UK) Limited
  • CIMB Bank Berhad
  • Clydesdale Bank PLC
  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia – London branch
  • Consolidated Credits Bank Ltd
  • The Co-operative Bank plc
  • Credit Agricole
  • Danske Bank
  • Duncan Lawrie Limited
  • DZ Bank AG
  • Emirates NBD – London branch
  • HSBC Bank plc
  • Intesa San Paolo
  • Lloyds Banking Group
    • Lloyds Bank plc
    • Bank of Scotland plc
  • National Bank of Egypt (UK) Limited
  • Nationwide Building Society
  • NatWest Group
    • Adam & Company plc
    • Coutts & Co
    • National Westminster Bank plc
    • The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
    • Ulster Bank Limited
  • NM Rothschild
  • Raphaels Bank
  • Riyad Bank
  • Santander UK plc
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • TSB Bank plc
  • Virgin Money plc

How the Main Scheme works


 

To find out more about joining the Main Scheme please click here.