NatWest, or National Westminster, is a retail and commercial bank based in the United Kingdom. It is one of the ‘Big Four’ UK clearing banks and has more than 7.5million personal banking and 850,000 small business customers. NatWest also operates in Ireland, through its subsidiary company Ulster Bank.
NatWest, or National Westminster, is a retail and commercial bank based in the United Kingdom. It is one of the ‘Big Four’ UK clearing banks and has more than 7.5million personal banking and 850,000 small business customers. NatWest also operates in Ireland, through its subsidiary company Ulster Bank.
NatWest, or National Westminster, is a retail and commercial bank based in the United Kingdom. It is one of the ‘Big Four’ UK clearing banks and has more than 7.5million personal banking and 850,000 small business customers. NatWest also operates in Ireland, through its subsidiary company Ulster Bank.
NatWest’s beginnings can be traced back to 1658 and the founding of Smith’s Bank of Nottingham. The NatWest we know today was established in 1968 after the merger of National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank. In 1975 NatWest became one of the first London banks to open an office in Scotland, and part of the group of banks that launched the Access credit card and later the Switch debit card (now known as Maestro).
NatWest has been part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group since 2000.
Personal banking customers have access to a comprehensive portfolio of banking options including current accounts, savings accounts, overdrafts, credit cards, loans and mortgages. NatWest also offers a range of Reward accounts, with monthly fees charged dependent on the account level. These accounts reward customers for such activity as paying bills by direct debit and cash sums for switching.
Premier is NatWest’s private banking service and is available to permanent UK residents with a sole income of £100,000 or a joint income of £120,000 annually, or savings or investments of at least £100,000 held with NatWest.
NatWest’s business banking customers can access different services depending on their size. Business banking services are divided into:
NatWest also offers business banking customers a programme called Boost, where clients can work with a specialist Business Growth Enabler to gain access to new networks, tools and content plus one to one support.
In 2017, NatWest’s banking app was voted Best Banking App by UK customers.
NatWest recommends that customers use Rapport, free software created by IBM, to help them stay safe online. Customers can also report any fraudulent activity or stolen card problems instantly at the NatWest website.
135 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 3YD
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£1,567 Vanished: Natwest Failed My Family's Travel Plans.
I made an International payment via Natwest on 30th June 2025 for a hotel reservation abroad. My account showed the transfer was successful, with a remaining balance of over £1,000. Just days before travel, the hotel confirmed no payment was received and they could not trace the reference number.
I rushed to Natwest branch, deeply concerned. The staff's attitude was appalling – especially one lady stationed at the entrance, who approached me like I was a fraudster. I felt humiliated and dismissed.
Eventually, Natwest admitted the payment hadn't even been sent, though it appeared successfully in my records. The bank apparently withheld the transaction ”to be sure” but didn't contact me via app notification, email, or phone. The only reason I found out was because the hotel reached out. If they hadn't, my family would have landed abroad without accommodation.
To make matters worse, Natwest staff told me the international team cannot be contacted directly, and it may take 7-10 days for a response-even though my family travels in 3 days and our £1,567 is stuck in limbo.
This is not banking. It's negligence. After over 15 years as a loyal customer, I was made to feel humiliated and I've lost all trust in Natwest. I demand immediate resolution: either send the payment or refund me so I can do it myself.
Leaving them after 17 years, without warning they’ve closed down my credit card account, they have no reason for doing it as I’ve never missed a payment but apparently because I can’t currently afford to pay them anymore than the minimum payment, I’m struggling at the moment they’ve decided to make it worse by closing that account and battering my credit rating just as we’re having to remortgage the house, I have given them a chance to rectify this, they’ve refused point blank and insultingly think that £150 will make it better.
In the last 6 months they’ve also let two fraudulent transactions leave my account, I had to call them multiple times as despite me calling the first time to tell them they let the same place take more money from my account 2 weeks later.
I’m moving everything, they won’t be getting my hard earned cash anymore.
I tried to move money internationally and it was THE worst experience I have ever had – I cannot fathom how a bank as big as natwest can be so backward that they make you FAX in transfer requests and then still mess it up. Unbelievable.
Worst bank I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. Terrible customer care and service. Treated me like a common criminal. Do not use this bank, many other choices out there.
