Mettle business account review

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What is Mettle?

Mettle is a standalone business banking app offered by (but separate to) its parent company, high street bank NatWest. It has been featured in our best business bank accounts guide, with a standout mention for accounting software integrations.

This digital business account can be seen as a response to the challenger banks which have changed the face of banking in the last few years – reeling in customers by letting them open and manage app-based business bank accounts through their mobile phones, as well as offering great exchange rates for people who travel frequently.

Mettle lets business customers apply for an account in minutes, forecast business performance and create invoices. All of this is possible in its mobile app, which is designed to be easy to use, as well as free to use.

How does Mettle work?

Mettle offers its users a number of features, including:

• Fast application. Mettle will let customers open a business account in a matter of minutes.
• Invoicing. You can create and send customised invoices on the go. The app will let you know when you’ve been paid or if you need to chase.
• Reporting. You’re able to categorise business transactions and manage your expenses. You can then export your data and share it with your accountant.
• Accounting. Mettle can connect to accounting packages like FreeAgent, Xero and QuickBooks.
• Payments. You can schedule payments on the go and manage recurring payments directly from the app.
• Money pots. Set money aside from your main account into a “money pot”, where you can ringfence funds for future outgoings like corporation tax or VAT.
• Freeze or unfreeze your card. You can lock your card in the app if you think you’ve lost it, then just unlock it if the card shows up.
• Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can add your Mettle card to these mobile payment wallets.

How to open a Mettle account

These are the steps to open a Mettle account:

1. Download the Mettle app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Complete the application – Mettle will ask questions about you and your business.
3. Verify your ID and provide a business document.
4. Once approved, you’ll get an account number and sort code to get started.

Mettle’s fees and features

Product Name	Mettle by NatWest
Account fee	Free
FSCS protected
UK ATM charge	Free
Account software integration
Accounting integrations	FreeAgent, Xero
Requires credit check	Soft search with no impact on credit score
Credit check
Credit check details	Soft search with no impact on credit score
Key benefits	Comes with a suite of free accounting software to integrate with
Overdraft
Freeze card from app or online banking
Interest rate	0%
Current account switch guarantee

Doing business overseas with Mettle

Product Name	Mettle by NatWest
Overseas transaction charge	Unable to make international payments
Overseas ATM charge	N/A
International transfer charge	Use exchange rates set by Mastercard

Mettle fees, limits and pricing

• Mettle is free to join – you won’t be charged to download the app or to open an account.
• Mettle is free to use – there are no charges for transactions or for using any of the account’s features.
• There is a maximum account balance of £100,000 for limited companies and £50,000 for sole traders.
• There is a maximum payment out of the account limit of £10,000 per day.

Mettle customer reviews

Mettle has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from around 4,000 reviews on the App Store, and 4.8 out of 5 from just over 1,000 ratings on the Google Play Store (October 2021).

On Trustpilot, Mettle has nearly 900 customer reviews, receiving a mark of 4.6 out of 5, and a rating of Excellent. Many users praised the app’s functionality and ease of use, while some other reviewers complained about issues with the account opening process.

Pros and cons of Mettle

Our Mettle review verdict

Mettle is an interesting digital play by parent company NatWest. But as it’s separate from the high street bank itself, unfortunately you can’t visit a NatWest branch to discuss your Mettle account. However, a digital-only business account with Mettle is free to open and use, and it has strong mobile banking features. It also comes with a useful invoicing system and the ability to integrate with accounting software like FreeAgent and Xero. Time will tell if it’s successful enough to take on similar business account offerings from the likes of challenger bank rivals Starling and Monzo.

Get started by visiting Mettle's website and sign up for an account. If you have read this review and decided that Mettle’s account is not for you, you can use our guide to compare other business bank accounts on the market. You can also read our review of NatWest’s own business accounts here.

Frequently asked questions

• Who is eligible to open a Mettle account?

  Mettle offers a business current account, so you have to be running a business to open one. You’ll need to be a sole trader or a limited company with up to two owners. You’ll also need to be a UK-based company with owners that are UK residents.

• Is this a NatWest account?

  No, Mettle is separate from NatWest, so you can’t go into a NatWest branch to open or discuss a Mettle account. Mettle isn’t part of NatWest’s systems, but is a standalone digital platform built using different technology.

• Can I open multiple accounts with Mettle?

  No, you can’t currently open more than one account. Individuals and businesses are limited to one Mettle account. However, if you own more than one business then you may be able to open another Mettle account for this second business. To do this, contact Mettle through the in-app chat. You can also open a business account with other providers.

• Does Mettle offer interest?

  No, Mettle doesn’t offer interest on your account balance.

• Can I close my account?

  Yes, your account can be closed at any time by contacting the support team at Mettle through the in-app chat.

• Does Mettle offer an overdraft?

  No, Mettle doesn’t currently offer overdraft facilities. Learn more about business bank accounts that come with overdrafts.