NatWest business bank account comparison and review

NatWest has a range of bank accounts designed for business owners and self-employed people. It offers free business support and accounting software too. The banking group also owns Mettle, offering a free mobile bank account for sole traders and limited companies. Read our review of Mettle here. This guide outlines the different business accounts and how they compare.

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Finder Score	Account fee	Bank transfers	Requires credit check	Account management	Key benefits	Business bottom txt
7.8Great Mettle Business Account (Limited Company)	7.8Great	Free	£0	FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Xero	App & phone	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Not yet rated NatWest Community Account (turnover below £100,000)	Not yet rated	Free	£0	FreeAgent	Branch, online, app & phone	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Not yet rated NatWest Foundation Account Free Trial	Not yet rated	Free	£0.350	FreeAgent	Branch, online, app & phone	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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Finder Score for bank accounts

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Fees, features and customer service across 20+ of the most popular banks are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the account – simple.

Read the full methodology

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Interest rate	Interest paid	Open with	Term	Incentive	Table product description
NatWest Liquidity Manager 95 Day Notice Account	2.5% AER variable	Monthly	From £0	95 days notice	Early withdrawals from Liquidity Manager Notice Accounts are not permitted.	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
NatWest Liquidity Manager 35 Day Notice Account	2% AER variable	Monthly	From £0	35 days notice	Early withdrawals from Liquidity Manager Notice Accounts are not permitted.	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
NatWest Business Reserve	0.85% AER variable	Monthly	From £0	Instant access	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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What is NatWest business banking?

One of the UK’s leading banks, NatWest offers a range of products for businesses of varying sizes, including bank accounts, credit cards, loans and insurance.

The NatWest website also provides resources and advice on how to run your business, whether you’re just starting out, or have been trading for a few years.

What type of business accounts does NatWest offer?

NatWest has 4 main types of business account:

Start-up account. For businesses that have been trading less than a year with less than £1 million of turnover.
Business account. For businesses with turnover of more than £1 million, or for businesses with turnover of less than £1 million that have been trading for over a year.
Community account. For not-for-profit organisations. Existing NatWest customers only.
Free ‘Mettle‘ mobile account. For self-employed people.

You can use the Current Account Switch Service to open a new business account. This means the bank will take care of transferring your direct debits and standing orders from your old account into your new one.

NatWest business banking features and charges

NatWest’s Start-up account offers 24 months of transaction fee-free business banking. This is available to businesses in their first year of trading with a turnover of less than £1 million. At the end of the 24-month period, the account reverts to a standard business account and starts charging transaction fees.

You might be able to take advantage of this fee-free offer if you have an existing business with a turnover of up to £2 million. Provided you switch your business account using the full Current Account Switch Service, NatWest is offering 24 months of free banking.

Here’s what you can expect from NatWest’s standard business account:

No minimum monthly charge – only pay for what you use.
Free accounting software with FreeAgent.
Contactless VISA debit card (by application).
The option to apply for NatWest’s free Accelerator programme.
A dedicated relationship manager.
Access to online banking, mobile banking and a 24/7 UK-based telephone banking line.

NatWest international business banking

If you sign up to NatWest’s online banking service, customers with business accounts can make international payments of up to £50,000 a day.

For larger amounts or if you’d rather not use online banking, you need to come into a branch to complete the transaction. You will need to have your debit card and a form of ID (such as a driving licence or passport) with you.

For a same day payment, you have until 2:00pm to arrange the payment (1:30pm for urgent transfers in euros to Europe).

You can also send international payments via mobile banking, if you already have an international mandate set up.

Cost of international bank transfers
The cost for these types of transactions varies from £0–£40, depending on the type of international payment requested and its destination. Note that overseas bank charges may also be payable.

Is NatWest Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant?

If you hold a NatWest business account, you’ll have free access to accounting software FreeAgent. As this software is compatible with Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements, you’ll be able to use it to keep records of your income and expenses, as well as file your quarterly updates and final declaration to HMRC each tax year.

Overall, this should make the process of complying with MTD rules a little easier as you won’t need to sign up to use software elsewhere. FreeAgent also offers other benefits such as giving you insights into your tax and cash flow and helping you to create, send and track invoices.

What do customers say about NatWest?

77% of customers we surveyed in 2026 would recommend NatWest to a friend.

It's viewed as a highly professional and accommodating bank that offers a flexible, reliable service for businesses. Many users praise the excellent customer service and transparency of the accounts.

However, dissatisfaction stems primarily from the pricing structure, with several users feeling that the charges for everyday business banking are too high. Additionally, the mobile app is sometimes viewed as poor quality compared to modern digital challengers.

AI-generated summary from the text of customer reviews on Finder.

Pros and cons of NatWest business banking

Pros

Different account options for startups, established businesses and not-for-profits.
Extensive branch network.
Other financial products available, such as overdrafts, credit cards and loans.
Initial free banking period on offer (for startups), then “pay as you go” fees as standard.
Dedicated business support.
Account switching service available.
Free accounting software, making it easier to invoice and manage your cash flow.

Cons

International banking fees could be cheaper elsewhere.
Mixed customer reviews.
The standard business account charges transaction fees.

Customer service information for NatWest

Email support
Telephone support
In-app or live chat
Contact form
Branch support

Our verdict: Is a NatWest business bank account worth it?

Whether you have a young business or an established one, NatWest has a range of accounts which come with extra perks such as a relationship manager and free accounting software.

Its Start-up account is free at first and after the introductory period, fees are charged per transaction, which sets it apart from the business accounts that charge monthly fees. But you need to weigh up if the “pay as you go” banking fees still work out as cost-effective compared to accounts that charge each month.

If you have read this review and decided that a NatWest business account is not for you, you can also compare other business bank accounts on the market.

Our “Best for” picks highlight top options in specific categories based on our independent evaluation (see our full methodology), while “Promoted” tags indicate sponsored placements. Selected products may not suit everyone. We track selected market offers, which may not cover every product. Products are listed in no particular order unless specified, and inclusion or ordering may be influenced by popularity or commercial agreements. Most comparison table data is provided by Defaqto or sourced directly from providers. Always evaluate your own circumstances and consider independent advice before making major financial decisions.

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.

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Written by

Ronny Lavie

Editor

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Ronny Lavie was a deputy editor at Finder, specialising in insurance content. She has almost a decade of experience writing about financial topics, including five months spent as the interim managing editor for the Fintech Times newspaper. Ronny has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from London Middlesex University. See full bio

Co-written by

Nick Renaud-Komiya

Writer

Nick Renaud-Komiya has been a writer and reporter for nine years, covering a range of consumer issues from energy suppliers to banking and mortgage issues. He enjoys helping people take control of their personal finances and better understand their consumer rights. Nick’s consumer writing and money journalism has been featured in a range of outlets including MoneySavingExpert.com, The Sunday Mirror, The Independent and Money.co.uk. Outside of work Nick enjoys cooking and collecting old David Bowie merch. See full bio

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NatWest business bank account comparison and review

NatWest offers a range of business banking options, including specialised accounts for startups and charities. Find out what's on offer and whether it's right for your business.