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To make payments easier for customers who don't use automated processes, we've introduced the ability to download payment files. This feature enables you to get payment files from certain banks and then use them to carry out bulk payments quickly and conveniently.
What is the payment file?
Payment files allow you to pay employees through your internet banking provider automatically. Each provider has different instructions on processing payment files and what kind of payments they can be used for (Faster Payments, BACS, CHAPS).
Please check with your bank to see if there are any requirements around using the payment file, for example, if any setup is required or a cut-off time to submit the payments.
Currently, we support files for below banks/payment types:
| Bank | Payment file format | Payments it can be used for | Specs | Sample file | Payment date |
| DanskeBank | Danske Bank format (CSV) | Faster Payments | File Specification | DanskeBank_sample.txt | Optional |
| RBS | Bankline CSV (standard domestic payment) | Faster Payments, CHAPS | File Specification | RBS_sample.txt | Mandatory |
| NatWest | Bankline CSV (standard domestic payment) | Faster Payments, CHAPS | File Specification | NatWest_sample.txt | Mandatory |
| Barclays | BACS CSV (Sage format) | BACS | File Specification | Barclays_sample.csv | None |
| Lloyds | CSV | Faster Payments | File Specification | Lloyds_sample.csv | Mandatory |
| HSBC | BACS Standard 18 | BACS | File Specification | HSBC_sample.txt | Mandatory |
Why is my bank not supported?
If your bank is not supported, please reach out to our Support team with the type of payment you plan to make and your bank's name. We will then raise this request to our Product team, which will be prioritised based on customer demand.
Which payments can I make with the payment file?
✅ Payment files can be used for sending net payments to your employees.
❌ Payment files can't be used for payments to HMRC (you will need to do this yourself) or pension contributions (these are usually taken via Direct Debit triggered by your file upload).
System Configuration
To use the payment file, we need you to provide us with the bank details of the account from which the payment will be taken. We need these details as they must be included in the payment file.
The first time you confirm payroll
If you do not have automated payments enabled, we will notify you that now there is an option to enable payment file download for selected banks when you confirm your payroll.
If you want to set this up, click “Get Started”, and we will ask you to provide the bank details.
If you haven’t set your bank details, we will ask you for them when you download the payment file.
Editing Your Bank Details
You can change these details anytime by going to Settings > Company > General and heading to Payment File Details:
How to download the payment file
You will only see the option to download a payment file for any payroll, both current period and past periods, once the payroll is confirmed.
We only allow you to download a payment file once your payroll has been confirmed to ensure no changes to the employee's net pay.
How to use a payment file to send payments to your bank?
Each provider has a different set of instructions on uploading payment files and when they need to be uploaded.
Please don't hesitate to contact your bank if you have any questions.
BACS payments
If you are paying by BACS, please remember that the BACS process takes two working days, so don't forget to confirm your payroll and submit your file in time. Pento will not notify you to do so.