NatWest

NatWest current accounts review

With NatWest, you can choose from a wide range of current accounts and get rewarded for paying your bills.

4.2 ★★★★★ (469 reviews) Write a review
Finder rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Customer rating
★★★★★
Satisfaction survey
Good range of account and app features
No saving pots or round-up spare change option

Just like most big banks, NatWest will reward you if you use its current account as your main bank account, including having your salary paid into it and setting up direct debits for your bills from it. As energy, council tax and other regular bills can be expensive these days, rewards on your bills can make a good deal, even if they come with a monthly fee.

NatWest also carries all the advantages of a big, established bank, such as security, customer service and a network of physical branches if you prefer to deal with your bank in person. NatWest also regularly offers payments usually between £125-£150 to customers who move their current account over to the bank.

Compare NatWest’s current accounts

1 - 8 of 8
Name Product Ratings Account fees Funding requirement Interest (AER) Arranged overdraft Incentive Representative example Link
OFFER
Select Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
39.49% EAR variable
Switch your current account to NatWest and you could earn £200 within 7 days of meeting eligibility criteria. T&Cs Apply.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
Use the Current Account Switch Service to close your current account held elsewhere and switch to NatWest. Apply online or via the NatWest app only. Pay in at least £1,250 and log in to the NatWest app within 60 days of account opening. NatWest will pay £200 into your NatWest current account within 7 days of meeting these criteria. If you've previously received a switching incentive from NatWest Group, you aren't eligible. You can only receive this offer once. 18+ and UK resident. Offer T&Cs, account eligibility and app criteria apply. Offer may be withdrawn or amended at any time.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.49% EAR variable.
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Reward
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£2 per month
Min. £1250 Per Month
0% AER
39.49% EAR variable
Switch your current account to NatWest and you could enjoy £200 plus monthly rewards of up to £5 if you choose a Reward account for just £2 a month. T&Cs apply.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
Use the Current Account Switch Service to close your current account held elsewhere and switch to NatWest. Apply online or via the NatWest app only. Pay in at least £1,250 and log in to the NatWest app within 60 days of account opening. NatWest will pay £200 into your NatWest current account within 7 days of meeting these criteria. If you've previously received a switching incentive from NatWest Group, you aren't eligible. You can only receive this offer once. 18+ and UK resident. Offer T&Cs, account eligibility and app criteria apply. Offer may be withdrawn or amended at any time. Earn up to £5 per month back: £4 in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (2 of the Direct Debits need to be +£2 each) and £1 with 1 mobile app log in.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.49% EAR variable. Account fee of £2 per month.
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Graduate
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
39.49% EAR variable
Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.
Current account switch service guarantee badgeRepresentative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.49% EAR variable.
View details
Foundation
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER

Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
View details
Student Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER

Receive £50 paid to your account within 10 days from opening a new or converting an existing account, a Tastecard, valid for 4 years giving 50% off food or 2 for 1 meals, plus offers on entertainment and shopping.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
To receive £80 in cash and a free tastecard you will need to apply online, register for mobile or digital banking and choose to receive paperless statements within 30 days of opening your account. Offer ends 31/10/22, T&Cs apply. Overdraft subject to approval. To apply for an overdraft (subject to approval) you need to be 18+. You can apply if you are aged 17+ and are a UK Resident.
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Premier Select
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
19.49% EAR variable
£200 for accounts switched using the Current Account Switch Service.
Current account switch service guarantee badgeRepresentative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 19.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 19.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200.
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Premier Reward
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£2 per month
Min. £1250 Per Month
0% AER
39.49% EAR variable
Earn Rewards that you can redeem as cash back, gift cards or e-codes with retail partners.
Current account switch service guarantee badgeRepresentative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200.
View details
Adapt Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
2.02% AER

Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.
View details
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Types of current accounts from NatWest

NatWest current accounts come with many different options and features, so you have good chances of finding something that suits your needs.

  • Reward and incentive accounts

    NatWest gives you cashback on your bills and travel insurance. but unlike many other big banks, it offers no initial switching incentive and has a monthly fee, so make sure you compare your options and get the best deal.

    Learn more about reward and incentive accounts

  • Premium accounts

    NatWest Premier accounts offer a series of benefits, worldwide travel insurance. However, Premium accounts are only available if you have a certain annual income or amount of savings, so you’ll have to check if you meet the criteria first.

    Learn more about premium current accounts

  • Student accounts

    NatWest’s student account offers a decent overdraft option up to £2,000 (limited to £500 during your first term of study), and you can also get £50 cash reward, plus a tastecard with discounts on your meals. However, if none of these perks appeals to you, you can check and compare our selection of student accounts.

    Learn more about student accounts

  • Children’s accounts

    With NatWest’s children account, children between 11 and 17 can manage their pocket money easily and safely. However, if your children are younger and you want them to get an early start at budgeting, you can compare the alternatives on our dedicated page – some accounts can be opened when they are as young as seven.

    Learn more about children’s accounts

  • Business accounts

    There are 4 business accounts to choose from with NatWest. The bank offers a straightforward business account for those that have been trading for over a year, a free mobile account for sole traders or limited companies with up to two owners and a balance of up to £100,000, a start-up account for those trading for less than a year with a turnover of less than £1 million, and a community account for not-for-profit organisations.

    Learn more about business accounts

NatWest customer reviews

NatWest was ranked 7th out of 18 current account providers in our independent 2023 customer satisfaction survey. Its users gave the brand 4.5 out of 5 stars and 82% said they’d recommend the current account service. Users highlighted the bank’s reliability and its easy-to-use smartphone app. Here’s what some of those NatWest customers had to say in our survey:

“Had an account for 20 years and they’ve always been reliable.”

“It’s a current account that just simply works and I have no problems with it. Excellent mobile app and online banking.”

“A good app and a efficient service.”

On the Apple App Store, NatWest’s mobile banking app scored 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 84,000 reviews. On the Google Play Store, it scores 4.6 out of 5 stars, from a total of 257,000 reviews (last updated, January 2023).

Pros and cons of banking with NatWest

  • Perks. Different NatWest current accounts come with different perks, but in general, you have a good range of options to choose from, including cashback on bills, travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and car insurance (breakdown cover).
  • Multiple ways to bank. With NatWest you can manage your account online 24/7, but you can also register to telephone banking or discuss your option in person at your local branch.
  • Mobile banking app. These days, being able to access your account from your smartphone is a must. NatWest’s mobile app has a clean design and allows you to manage all your NatWest accounts in the same place – including the business ones. The app also puts your spending into different categories, helping you to budget
  • Global acceptance. NatWest’s cards are all either Mastercard or Visa, so you won’t really have to worry about where you can use them and where you can’t.
  • Round the clock assistance. Got robbed of your card during your dream holiday in the Caribbean? No worries, if you need support, you can call NatWest’s customer service 24/7 and they’ll help you out.
  • Earn cashback through MyRewards. If you opt for a Reward current account, you’ll be able to earn cashback with selected NatWest partner brands or even just when you pay direct debits from your account and use the app regularly.
  • No interest paid on account balances. While NatWest can offers some decent perks, unfortunately it doesn’t usually pay interest on account balances.

Opening an account with NatWest

To open an account with NatWest, you’ll have to provide the following information:

  • Your personal details and address history
  • How much you expect to pay in each month
  • Your salary details and any assets you have
  • Your nationality/citizenship
  • Proof of identity (passport, driving license, EEA or Swiss national identity card)
  • Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)

You can open a NatWest account online or by visiting a branch.

Our verdict

NatWest doesn’t pay interest with most of its current accounts, but it does offer unique rewards such as cashback on bills. Have a closer look at the rewards that are available and decide whether these are likely to be more beneficial than more traditional benefits. If NatWest’s current accounts are not for you, you can also compare other current accounts here.

Frequently asked questions

Banking ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

The customer satisfaction score ("Customers say") is based on a survey of 2,944 customers carried out in December 2022.

Learn the details of our methodology and scoring.

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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