Paym app will allow direct payments between mobile phones

The heading is not a typo: Paym (apparently pronounced "Pay-em") is the name given to a new app that will allow direct payments between mobile phones.

It was revealed this week by the Payments Council, and will allow current account customers of Bank of Scotland, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Santander and TSB to use the service when it launches in the spring.

The council said that Clydesdale, FirstDirect, NatWest, RBS and Yorkshire banks will follow later this year and Nationwide customers will be able to join in from early 2015.

The move is all about improving convenience for customers as the system will partially cut out the need to remember sort codes and bank account details. However you'll need a password to use the app, which will require your bank account to be linked to your phone number.

The Payments Council promised: "Paym will make it easier to repay a friend for cinema tickets, split a restaurant bill or settle up for a colleague's birthday collection."