From the start of December, UK bank customers will benefit from an increase to the maximum amount they would be reimbursed for if their bank were to fail.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has today confirmed the deposit protection limit, which applies to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, will protect up to £120,000 of a depositor’s money should their bank, building society or credit union fail.

This increases the limit from the current £85,000 which was set in 2017. It is also more than the previous PRA proposal of £110,000, which has been changed in light of consultation feedback and to reflect the latest inflation data.

This increase in the deposit protection limit is the latest in a series of regulatory thresholds to be updated by the PRA, ensuring the rulebook is modernised and fit for today’s circumstances.

Martyn Beauchamp, CEO of the FSCS, said:

“We welcome today’s announcement from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) confirming that the FSCS deposit protection limit will increase. This rise ensures that consumers can feel confident their money is safe, from the very first penny up to £120,000. At FSCS, we know that trust in financial services is vital for stability and growth. This enhanced protection will reassure consumers and support confidence in the UK’s financial system.”

On 1 December an increase in the limit applicable to certain temporary high balance claims will also come into force. This limit is used for qualifying life events like buying or selling a house and payouts from insurance policies and will increase from £1 million to £1.4 million.

To support the changes to the deposit protection limit and temporary high balance limit, and to ensure that communications available for depositors remain clear and up to date, the PRA has made revisions to the FSCS disclosure materials. These include the information sheet that firms need to send to depositors and the information to be displayed in branches. Firms need to update this information by the end of May 2026.