General Banking Services
Framework Description
NEPO531 General Banking Services is a single-lot framework with three appointed banks, led by NEPO in collaboration with ESPO and YPO. It covers core transactional banking for public bodies: payment accounts for creditor cheques, CHAPS, BACS, direct debits and standing orders, plus balance requests, commission charges and interest. It started on 14 March 2024 and runs to 13 March 2028, with an option to extend to 13 March 2032.
Context & Use Case
Councils and other public bodies use NEPO531 when they re-let their main banking contract, which is usually a long-term, low-frequency decision. Beyond core payment accounts, buyers can add services outside the main contract, such as income accounts, rent allowance accounts, wage accounts for staff salaries, petty cash and treasury deposits, so the whole banking relationship sits under one agreement.
Scope of Services
Payment accounts for creditor cheques, CHAPS, BACS, direct debits and standing orders Balance requests, commission charges and interest Accounts for receiving payments Rent allowance and wage accounts Petty cash accounts and treasury deposits
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits UK banks able to provide full transactional banking to public bodies. Only the three appointed banks can receive call-offs; applications for NEPO531 are closed, so other banks cannot join until it is re-procured, around March 2028 or, if extended, by March 2032.
Buyer Benefits
Changing bank is a major exercise for a council, so buyers want a compliant route with banks already assessed for public sector requirements. Three suppliers give genuine choice while keeping evaluation manageable, and optional services let a buyer move income, wages and treasury accounts in one transition.
Next Steps
Appointed banks should prepare for call-offs with clear transition plans, service levels and pricing for core and optional accounts. Other banks should watch for re-procurement before March 2028, or later if NEPO extends, and build evidence of public sector transitions, payment security and service quality in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
Bank tenders are rare and high value, so each one counts. For appointed banks, Athena's proposal management builds call-off responses around transition risk, service and price, with a Bid Health Check before submission.
For banks considering the re-procurement, our bid qualification support gives an honest view of where you can win, and our financial services frameworks advice identifies other financial services frameworks open now or due to open, and the public bodies that use them.
