Should You Put Bank Details on an Invoice?

Should you put bank details on an invoice?

If you accept payment by bank transfer, putting the relevant bank details on your invoice can give the customer the information they need to make the payment without asking for separate instructions.

Whether you should include them depends on how your business accepts payment. If customers pay through another method and do not need your bank information, there may be no reason to add it.

Why include bank details on an invoice?

Including bank details can make the payment process more straightforward. Once the customer has reviewed the invoice and confirmed the amount due, they can use the payment information shown on the document to arrange a transfer.

This can also reduce unnecessary messages asking where payment should be sent, particularly when bank transfer is your main payment method.

What bank details should you put on an invoice?

The exact information required depends on your bank, country, and the type of transfer being made. For a typical UK bank transfer, payment details may include:

• Account name
• Sort code
• Account number
• Payment reference
• Any relevant bank transfer instructions

Example bank details on an invoice

A simple bank details section on an invoice could be displayed like this:

• Payment Method: Bank Transfer
• Account Name: Example Business Ltd
• Sort Code: 00 00 00
• Account Number: 12345678
• Payment Reference: INV 1042

Where should bank details go on an invoice?

Bank details should be placed somewhere clear and easy for the customer to find. A dedicated payment section near the invoice total or balance due is often a practical location.

They can also appear within a clearly labelled payment information area near the bottom of the invoice. The important point is that the customer can identify the details without searching through unrelated text.

Should bank details go in the notes section?

You can place bank details in the notes section if your invoice layout does not provide a dedicated payment area. However, the purpose of the information should still be obvious.

Using a heading such as Bank Transfer Details or Payment Details helps separate the banking information from general customer notes, job information, or other messages.

Do bank details have to be on an invoice?

Bank details do not have to appear on every invoice simply because you are requesting payment. Their purpose is to provide a way for the customer to pay when bank transfer is an accepted payment method.

If you accept payment through another method, you can instead provide the relevant instructions for that method.

Can you send an invoice without bank details?

Yes. An invoice can be sent without bank details. Businesses may use card payments, cash, online payment services, payment links, or other methods that do not require account information to be printed on the invoice.

What matters from a practical payment perspective is that the customer understands how payment should be made.

Should you include a payment reference with bank details?

Including a payment reference can make bank transfers easier to match with the correct invoice. A business may ask the customer to use the invoice number as the reference when making payment.

For example, an invoice numbered INV 1042 could tell the customer to use INV 1042 as the payment reference. This helps distinguish the transfer from payments relating to other invoices.

Bank details vs payment instructions

Bank details provide the account information required for a bank transfer, while payment instructions explain what the customer should do with that information.

For example, an account number and sort code are bank details. A message asking the customer to pay by bank transfer and use the invoice number as the reference is a payment instruction.

Bank details vs payment terms

Bank details should also be distinguished from payment terms. Bank details explain where a transfer should be sent, while payment terms explain conditions such as when the customer is expected to pay.

An invoice can therefore show bank details, payment instructions, and payment terms together while keeping each piece of information clearly labelled.

Should you put personal bank details on an invoice?

Sole traders and other individuals may sometimes receive business payments into an account held in their own name. If you choose to provide account details on an invoice, only include the information that the customer actually needs to make the payment.

Avoid adding unrelated financial information or other sensitive account information that is not required for the transfer.

Is it safe to put bank details on an invoice?

Businesses commonly provide the account information required to receive bank transfers, but payment details should still be handled carefully. Only provide information needed for customers to send money to the intended account.

It is also important to check invoices before sending them. Incorrect or outdated account details can result in payment problems and may require the customer to contact you before completing the transfer.

Be careful when bank details change

If your business changes bank accounts, update your invoice information before sending new invoices. Reusing an old invoice or template without checking the payment section can leave outdated details on the document.

Customers should also be clearly informed when legitimate payment information changes, particularly if they regularly pay your business using previously saved account details.

Bank details for international invoices

International bank transfers may require different information from domestic payments. Depending on the banks and countries involved, a customer may need information such as an IBAN, SWIFT code, or other transfer details.

Only include the information relevant to the payment method you actually accept and confirm the correct transfer details with your bank when necessary.

Can you include more than one payment method?

Yes. An invoice can provide more than one way to pay. For example, a business might accept bank transfer alongside another payment method.

When several methods are available, organise them clearly so the customer can understand the options without confusing one set of payment instructions with another.

Common bank detail mistakes on invoices

Bank details should always be checked before an invoice is sent. Common mistakes include:

• Using an incorrect account number
• Using an incorrect sort code
• Leaving old bank details on an invoice
• Not identifying the account name
• Forgetting to provide a requested payment reference
• Hiding bank details inside unrelated invoice text
• Including unnecessary financial information
• Failing to check payment details before sending

How to display bank details clearly

Keep bank information together in one clearly labelled section rather than scattering individual details across the invoice. A customer should be able to identify the account name, sort code, account number, and payment reference quickly.

A simple layout also makes the information easier to check before the invoice is sent and reduces the chance that important payment details will be overlooked.

Check bank details before sending an invoice

Before sending an invoice containing bank information, check:

• The account name is correct
• The sort code is correct
• The account number is correct
• Any international payment details are correct
• The requested payment reference is clear
• The payment instructions match the intended method
• The details belong to the account you currently use
• The information displays correctly on the finished PDF

Create an invoice with clear payment details

If bank transfer is one of the ways your business accepts payment, including clear bank details can make it easier for customers to understand where and how to pay. Keep the information accurate, clearly labelled, and limited to what the customer needs.

InvoiceAtlas lets you create a professional invoice with customer details, itemised charges, totals, notes, terms, and payment information before downloading the finished invoice as a PDF for free.