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NatWest Reviews

Your transactions will be put into spending categories in the app to give you a detailed view of where your money is being spent each month.

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Provider
4.6 /10
Based on 7274 reviews
#9 of 9 current account providers
  • Sentiment Score: 7.2/10
  • 7274 reviews found on websites such as TrustPilot

Price Band

£ £ £ £ £

Good for

  • Rated 4.25/5 by Smart Money People
  • Current account that offers extra benefits
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Tim Millington
Cover Purchased
i Reviewed without invitation
Reviewed the Service experience on 2 Nov 2020

No Overdraft

Wouldn't provide an overdraft despite excellent credit score.

In addition to NatWest’s standard current account, they offer plenty of other options that might better suit your personal needs. The other current accounts they offer are:

Reward Current Account

For a £2 monthly fee, you can get a current account that offers extra benefits. To be eligible, you must be 18 or older, live in the UK and pay at least £1,250 into your Natwest account each month. This account includes:

  • £4 a month back in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (that are at least £2 each)
  • £1 a month back in Rewards with 1 mobile app login
  • Spend at their retail partners to get 1% back in Rewards

Student Current Account

The perfect account for students. To be eligible, you must be at least 17 years old, live in the UK, be a full-time undergraduate student on at least a 2 year course at a UK university or college or you must be completing a full-time postgraduate/nursing course lasting a year or more. You can only apply within 6 months of your course start date. To be eligible for an overdraft, you need to be 18 or older and have lived in the UK for 3 or more years. This account is free for UK students and £10 a month for international students. Perks include:

  • Interest-free overdraft up to £2,000 (£500 in the first term), subject to approval
  • Choice of 3 great offers; a tastecard, Amazon offer or National Express Coachcard
  • Bank anytime, anywhere with the RBS mobile app

Child & Teen Current Account

This account is designed to help those aged 11-18 get a head start on money management. There’s no monthly fee and it includes the following benefits:

  • Access to the mobile banking app
  • A Contactless Visa Debit Card
  • Pays interest on your balance

Foundation Account

You can’t directly apply for Natwest’s Foundation Account, you might be offered it if you’re applying for another one of their current accounts but they think this account is more suitable for you. It includes:

  • Access to the mobile banking app
  • A Visa Debit Card (contactless not available)

Premier Accounts

NatWest also offers Premier banking, offering enhanced accounts, insurance cover, access to products that help you grow and protect your wealth, special offers, plus NatWest’s Premier Banking team will be on hand when you need them. To be eligible for Natwest’s premier services, you must be 18 or older, live in the UK and meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have a minimum £100k sole income or £120k joint income paid into your Natwest account
  • Have a minimum £500k mortgage borrowing with Natwest
  • Have a minimum £100k savings or investments held with Natwest

They offer three Premier Accounts:

Premier Select Account

  • No monthly fee
  • Round the clock help, over the phone or online
  • One to one support for more complex financial
    decisions

Premier Reward Account

  • £2 monthly fee
  • £9 a month back in Rewards for 2 Direct Debits (need to be at least £4.50 each)
  • £1 a month back in rewards when you log in via the app
  • Spend at their retail partners to get 1% back in Rewards
  • Convert Rewards into money by transferring it into your NatWest account

Premier Reward Black Account

  • £31 a month
  • Worldwide travel insurance
  • 24/7 Black Concierge Service and cinema discount valid at over 250 UK cinemas
  • UK & European breakdown cover
  • Home Emergency Service
  • £9 a month back in Rewards for 2 Direct Debits (need to be at least £4.50 each)
  • £1 a month back in rewards when you log in via the app

Can I have more than one NatWest current account?

Yes, there is no limit to how many current accounts you can open with NatWest. However, you should always check out the competition and you need to be wary of opening multiple accounts just to benefit from features such as overdrafts.

 

How do I open a current account with NatWest?

You can open a NatWest account online or by visiting a branch. If you’re new to NatWest, you’ll need to provide them with personal details, such as your full name, home address, contact details, nationality and tax residency status. You’ll be asked to confirm your identity with NatWest’s trusted online identification and security partner, HooYu. HooYu can quickly and safely verify people from all over the world using digital footprints. Once your account is open, you can use online banking instantly and you should receive your debit card within 3-5 working days.

 

What overdraft options do they offer?

Like most bank accounts, NatWest offers both unarranged and arranged overdrafts. Arranged overdrafts let you go overdrawn up to an agreed limit. A full credit check will be run to determine your eligibility. You may be accepted for an unarranged overdraft if you need to make a payment but don’t have sufficient funds in your account or an arranged overdraft. You can use NatWest’s eligibility tool to see how likely you are to be accepted for an arranged overdraft. Interest is charged on both types and going into an unarranged overdraft can lead to payments being rejected.

How much does an overdraft cost?

Representative example
A variable representative rate of 39.49% APR
A variable interest rate of 39.49% EAR
Based on borrowing £1,200

As an example, if you were to borrow £500, the interest cost would be £3.24 for 7 days, £13.87 for 30 days, £28.13 for 60 days.

 

Does NatWest have a mobile app?

Yes. NatWest’s mobile app is available for customers aged 11 plus and can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices. Features of the app include:

  • Budget better – your transactions will be split into categories, giving you a detailed view of where you spend your money
  • Check your credit score for free – keep on top of your finances by monitoring your credit score regularly in the app
  • View your accounts with other banks – view your balances and transactions on selected accounts with participating UK accounts.