Finder rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Customer rating
★★★★★
Satisfaction survey
Good range of account and app features
No saving pots or round-up spare change option
NatWest current accounts review
With NatWest, you can choose from a wide range of current accounts and get rewarded for paying your bills.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why should I compare current accounts anyway?
We tend to think about current accounts as basic accounts – if they have no fee and do the job, then it’s fine. But for banks, they’re quite important, because they are one of the main channels through which they acquire new customers. So, competition is quite harsh – which means more perks and deals for customers.
Whether you’re interested in rewards and cashback or you just want to get the best possible switching deal, it’s worth browsing the market to find out what’s available and how you can make the most of your account.
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.
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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