Martin Lewis shares £100 Nationwide Fairer Share bonus news

Money expert Martin Lewis says the next few weeks are likely your last chance to meet the criteria for Nationwide’s bonus, which has paid out for the past three years.

While 2026’s payment isn’t confirmed yet, previous bonuses were announced in May and paid in June – with eligibility based on activity earlier in the year.

What is the £100 Fairer Share bonus?

Nationwide has paid:

• £100 to millions of customers each year
• £400m shared between four million people last year

But whether you qualify depends on how you used your account in January, February and March.

A post on Money Saving Expert shares useful tips on how to maximise your chances of a bonus payment - but be quick, as there's only days left.

March is your last chance to act

To have the best chance (based on last year’s rules), you’ll need:

1. A Nationwide current account

Keep it open until at least March 31

2. To use your account this month

If you didn’t qualify already in Jan/Feb, you’ll likely need to:

Pay in £500+ from another bank

AND make payments out (spending, bills, transfers)

OR

Make multiple outgoing payments.

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Missed January and February?

If you’re starting from scratch, your only real option now is switching.

You’ll need to:

Switch using the official Current Account Switch Service

• Complete it before March 31
• Move to an eligible Nationwide account

To qualify, you’ll also likely need:

£100+ in Nationwide savings

OR

£100+ on a Nationwide mortgage

Even a small deposit into a savings account could be enough.

Can I backclaim Child Benefit? Wait til April to change broadband? Why does 7% regular saver only pays 4%? NEW QUESTION TIME (GEEK EDITION) POD where u ask me Qs on these, the Dead Ringers impression & more.https://t.co/O7b14FLwb2https://t.co/R4eZdU6Xi2https://t.co/RCrSyznDx9

— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) March 9, 2026

Will you pay tax on your payment?

The £100 bonus has previously been treated as savings income.

Most people won’t pay tax thanks to the allowance, but higher-rate taxpayers may need to.

The payout isn’t guaranteed yet – but if Nationwide repeats the scheme, what you do before the end of March could decide if you get £100 or nothing.

Miss the deadline, and you’ll likely miss out.