Halifax is becoming Lloyds. From 1 July 2026 the Halifax brand began moving to Lloyds, with branches changing through 2027. Account numbers and sort codes stay the same, and the accounts remain with Bank of Scotland plc, so past Halifax overdrafts can still be complained about.
Who are Halifax?
Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc, part of Lloyds Banking Group. Its current account overdraft is 29.9% EAR variable (representative), with each customer’s rate set individually (checked October 2026).
Can I claim against Halifax?
You could, if any of these sound familiar:
- 01In your overdraft most of every month
- 02Wages in, straight back into the red
- 03Your limit went up while you were maxed out
- 04Charges kept coming, and nobody got in touch
Limit increases count too. Each one was a lending decision, so each can be looked at.
What you could get back
Average overdraft claim£2,0231
Overdraft interestRefunded
Fees and chargesRefunded
Interest on your refundAdded
Missed payment markersRemoved
Refunds usually run from when the bank should have stepped in. If you’re still overdrawn, a refund may reduce what you owe rather than being paid in cash.
Ombudsman decisions about Halifax
Published Financial Ombudsman decisions show how complaints like these are judged. Where a complaint is upheld, it is often only from a certain date or for certain lending. Every complaint is decided on its own facts, so these are examples, not a guide to what you’ll get.
- Upheld
The bank should not have raised the limit from £750 to £1,050 in March 2017, when the customer was already struggling.
Read decision DRN-4121799 - Upheld
After the customer told the bank they were in difficulty and relying on the overdraft, it should have stopped offering it on normal terms from February 2023.
Read decision DRN-5481063 - Partly upheld
A limit increase to £5,000 in May 2018 was made without reasonable checks while the customer was persistently overdrawn. Interest and charges from that date were refunded.
Read decision DRN-5369231
Halifax overdraft questions
Can I claim if I’m still overdrawn?
Yes. If the complaint is upheld, the refund may reduce your balance rather than being paid to you in cash.
Will my overdraft be taken away?
It can be. If a complaint is upheld, the bank may reduce or remove the overdraft and agree an affordable way to repay what’s left.
How long does Halifax have to reply?
Eight weeks. If Halifax hasn’t sent a final response by then, or you’re unhappy with it, the complaint can go to the Financial Ombudsman, normally within six months of the final response.
How far back can I claim?
Usually six years from the lending, or three years from when you realised you had cause to complain, whichever is later. Where an account is still running, the ombudsman has sometimes looked back further.
Complain to Halifax yourself
You don’t need a claims company. You can complain to Halifax directly using its complaints page. If you’re unhappy with the answer, or it hasn’t replied within eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman. Both are free.