Has an extensive branch network and different business accounts are available
Mixed customer service reviews, both in our survey and on public forums
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.
Compare NatWest’s business accounts
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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:
- Startup account. For businesses that have been trading less than a year with less than £1 million of turnover.
- Business account. For businesses that have been trading over a year.
- Community account. For not-for-profit organisations.
- Free ‘Mettle‘ mobile account. For self-employed people.
You can use NatWest’s current account switching 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 startup 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 Entrepreneur 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 £20,000 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-£30, depending on the type of international payment requested and its destination. Note that overseas bank charges may also be payable.
NatWest business banking contact details
NatWest can be contacted using the following numbers:
UK: 0345 788 8444 (Open 8am-8pm)
Overseas: +44 3457 114 477
If your card or cheque book has been lost, damaged or stolen, call:
UK: 0370 600 0459
Overseas: +44 1268 500 813
Relay UK Service: 18001 0370 600 0459
You can also contact NatWest via the 24/7 service through your online banking account or by using the bank’s app.
NatWest business banking customer reviews
NatWest scored 4.5 out of 5 starts in our 2023 customer satisfaction survey, with 91% of users surveyed saying that they would recommend the bank’s business banking service. Its users highlighted the bank’s helpful staff and reliability. Here’s what some of those NatWest business customers had to say in our survey:
“I’ve never had a problem – always worked well.”
“Quality product and excellent service from the start.”
“Had no problems and can easily access my money.”
On the Apple App Store, NatWest scored 4.8 out of 5 stars based on around 367,000 reviews. On the Google Play Store, the app scored 4.5 out of 5 stars, from a total of 280,000 reviews (last updated, August 2023).
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.
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 startup 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.
Business banking ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our customer satisfaction scores ("Customers say") are based on a survey of 623 customers carried out in December 2022.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
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