London Banking
Getting paid in the UK is easier when payroll has the right details early
A practical guide to bank details, National Insurance, PAYE, tax codes and the admin that helps your first payday land cleanly.
Quick answer
Ask payroll what they need before your start date
Most UK employers pay through PAYE into a bank account using account details you provide. You may also need NI number status, tax code information and identity/right-to-work documents.
- Confirm payment date and pay frequency.
- Provide bank details as early as possible.
- Do not ignore tax code or NI number questions.
What employers usually need
Payroll needs enough information to identify you, set up tax treatment and send your salary to the right account.
- Bank account name, sort code and account number where applicable.
- National Insurance number or application status.
- Address and contact details.
- Right-to-work and onboarding documents.
What if your UK account is not ready?
Speak to payroll early. Some employers can work with alternatives temporarily, while others strongly prefer UK account details.
PAYE, tax codes and first payslips
PAYE means tax is usually withheld by your employer. Tax codes tell payroll how much tax to deduct, and first payslips can sometimes need correction.
| Term | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| PAYE | Pay As You Earn tax withholding | Affects take-home pay |
| NI number | National Insurance identifier | Used for tax and benefits records |
| Tax code | Payroll tax instruction | Wrong codes can change pay |
First payday mistakes
The main risk is discovering a missing detail after payroll cut-off.
- Waiting until day one to ask about pay setup.
- Assuming your first pay date is immediate.
- Ignoring payslip errors.
- Not budgeting for a delayed first salary.
Personalised
Browse the Banking hubBuild your payroll and banking setup plan
Landing Connect can help order banking, job start, PAYE and first-month money steps.
- Payroll
- Bank account
- PAYE
- First payday
Takes a few minutes - Free - No sign-up required
Need to understand PAYE and tax codes?
Read the PAYE guide next so your first payslip makes more sense.
Open PAYE guide →