Everyone with Halifax card told of major change with letter in post | Personal Finance | Finance

Halifax customers are being urged to take action in the coming weeks and months ahead of a potentially major change to their banking. Lloyds Banking Group, Halifax’s parent company, revealed in 2024 that Visa will now supply ‘the majority of consumer and commercial credit cards with around 10 million cards migrating to Visa by the end of 2026’.

Several debit and credit cards will be affected, along with certain Bank of Scotland and MBNA customers. The banking group stated the transition should ‘help customers best manage their financial and lifestyle needs with the agreement also enabling even greater use of Visa’s fraud prevention capabilities’.

Halifax customers have now been sent emails containing the following notification: “We’ve chosen Visa as our new credit card partner. This means, if you’re eligible, your Halifax Mastercard credit card will be replaced with a new Visa credit card in the next few weeks.

“To avoid any disruption when moving from your current Mastercard to your new Visa card, make sure the email address, home address and mobile number we have for you is up to date. You can update your contact details online or in our app.

“And if we’ve got your mobile number, we’ll send you a text message to let you know when your card is on its way.”

Discussing the transition, Ellie Watkins at Lloyds explained: “Visa will continue to provide all Lloyds Banking Group’s consumer and business debit cards, including over 30 million Visa credentials already in issue, as well as the majority of consumer and commercial credit cards with around 10 million cards migrating to Visa by the end of 2026.”

When the replacement Visa card is delivered, customers are advised that whilst their new Visa card will be immediately operational, they may continue using their existing Mastercard temporarily. Card features will remain unchanged, including credit limits and payment dates, as will PINs.

For those who settle their credit card balance via direct debit, a new reference number will appear but no action is required. The Mastercard will be deactivated shortly after the new Visa card’s arrival, at which point it must be securely disposed of.

Any recurring payments connected to the Mastercard, such as motor insurance, subscriptions, or holiday instalments, will require updating with the new Visa card information to ensure payments are processed successfully. Customers are encouraged to refresh their card details on shopping apps and websites to guarantee seamless transactions.

The new Visa card can be added to digital wallets, enabling secure smartphone payments. Those requiring clarification are advised to contact the bank directly.

Marc Lien, the managing director of credit cards at Lloyds Banking Group, stated: “Our expanded partnership with Visa brings significant benefits to our customers, offering a seamless way to make payments, in addition to a range of upcoming innovative new products and services. We look forward to sharing the detail of these with customers in the future.”

Mandy Lamb, the managing director for UK and Ireland at Visa, expressed: “We’re excited to take our long-standing partnership with Lloyds Banking Group to the next level, building on 40 years working together, delivering solutions that customers use and love. Together, we’ll be enhancing the experience for debit card users, whilst launching innovative new products and services for credit card users too.”

She further added: “All Visa’s products and services are underpinned by our global commitment to be the best way to pay and be paid, supported by our market-leading £8 billion investment in technology over the past 5 years and our market-leading, fraud-fighting solutions, meaning fraud levels remain negligible on cards.”

For the latest money-saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website