Introduction
​How long does a Bacs payment take to process?
​What is a Service User Number (SUN)?
​How do I get a Service User Number?
​

Bacs is an electronic system used to make payments directly from one bank account to another. The main two types of payment are Direct Debit and Bacs Direct Credit, and the payments can take up to 3 working days to clear. The service is operated and managed by Bacs Payment Schemes Limited.

Both Bacs Direct Credit and Direct Debit payments work on a three day cycle, taking three working days to clear. Payments are submitted to Bacs on the first day, processed by the banks on the second day, and simultaneously taken from the sender account and credited to the recipient account on the third day.

A Service User Number (SUN) sometimes called an Originator ID or Originator Identifying Number (OIN) is a unique 6 digit number allocated to a business by their sponsoring bank to enable identification with and use of Bacs Payment Schemes. A SUN is mandatory for organisations that wish to submit directly to Bacs, or indirectly via a Bacs bureau.

All of your communications with Bacs will need to use your SUN. The SUN is linked to your bank accounts and to the software or bureau that you are using to submit your files to Bacs.

If you want to be a Direct Submitter, then you will need to obtain a Service User Number (SUN). These are controlled and issued by your sponsoring bank. Contact your Bacs provider or Bacs bureau to find out the specific application process as this can differ from bank to bank.