Independent BankAdvisor review
NatWest is one of the UK's major high street banks, offering a full range of personal banking products including current accounts, savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages, and insurance. It combines traditional branch and telephone banking with a strong mobile app, a Reward current account, regular savings options, and digital tools such as card controls, receipt capture, savings round-ups, and Get Cash card-free ATM withdrawals.
Navigate through detailed analysis
NatWest has moved from being a traditional branch-led bank to a high street bank with a significant digital focus. Its app now covers everyday banking tasks such as balance checks, payments, card controls, receipt capture, savings round-ups, and card-free ATM withdrawals through Get Cash.
In this complete review, we look at NatWest's current accounts, Reward account benefits, Digital Regular Saver, app experience, travel fees, overdraft costs, and overall suitability. NatWest is strongest for customers who want a full-service UK bank with a capable app, rather than a purely app-only banking experience.
NatWest is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per person.
The bank is part of NatWest Group and offers a broad range of mainstream banking products. This gives customers access to current accounts, savings, borrowing, mortgages, insurance, branch services, telephone banking, and digital banking from one provider.
App store ratings are strong, with the NatWest mobile banking app rated around 4.8/5 on the Apple App Store and 4.7/5 on Google Play at the time of review. As with any app-based service, ratings and features can change over time.
1.4 / 5
Trust Score
FSCS Protection
Yes – £120,000
Apple App Store
4.8 / 5
Google Play
4.7 / 5
Overdraft
39.49% EAR variable
Reward Fee
£2 / month
The NatWest mobile app is one of the stronger high street banking apps. It supports everyday account management, payments, card freezing, biometric login on supported devices, savings round-ups, and access to additional tools such as receipts and Get Cash.
Get Cash lets eligible customers withdraw cash from a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, or Tesco cash machine without using their debit card. Receipt tools allow customers to capture or forward receipts into the app, making it easier to keep track of spending and proof of purchase.
Balance checks and transaction history
Payments and transfers from the app
Card freezing and card controls
Savings round-ups
Get Cash card-free ATM withdrawals
Receipt capture and receipt management
Spending insights and budgeting support
Credit score access where eligible
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless payments
Biometric login on supported devices
Account types and fees
NatWest's current account range includes the fee-free Select account and the Reward account. The Reward account has a £2 monthly fee and can earn up to £5 a month in Rewards when the customer meets the qualifying conditions, including having qualifying Direct Debits and logging into the app.
NatWest's Digital Regular Saver currently pays 5.25% AER / 5.13% gross variable on the first £5,000, with customers able to save between £1 and £150 each month. Balances above the first £5,000 currently earn 1.00% AER/gross variable.
NatWest's wider savings range includes fixed-rate ISAs, fixed-term savings, flexible instant-access savings, cash ISAs, defined-access savings, children's savings and Stocks & Shares ISA options. Rates, balance tiers, withdrawal rules and eligibility vary by product.
For borrowing, NatWest's standard arranged overdraft representative rate is 39.49% EAR variable. Overseas debit-card spending on standard accounts normally attracts a 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee, although some packaged and Premier accounts have different travel-fee terms.
Product areas covered in this review. The detailed fees, rates and conditions are grouped below.
Grouped by product area to make account fees, savings rates, card costs and important conditions easier to compare.
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | Select Account | £0 |
| Arranged Overdraft | Standard adult current accounts | 39.49% EAR variable representative rate |
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Transaction | Standard debit card use | 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee |
| Foreign ATM Withdrawal | Debit card cash withdrawals abroad | Foreign cash withdrawals can incur debit-card and ATM-related charges |
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Unarranged Overdraft | Standard adult current accounts | Interest may apply; monthly cap on unarranged overdraft charges applies |
| Digital Regular Saver | NatWest current account customers aged 16+ who are UK residents | 5.25% AER / 5.13% gross variable on balances up to £5,000; 1.00% AER/gross variable on balances over £5,000; save £1-£150/month |
| Flexible Saver | NatWest current account customers aged 16+ | Tiered instant-access variable rate: 1.00% AER up to £24,999, 1.35% on £25,000-£99,999, 1.60% on £100,000-£249,999, 2.10% on £250,000+ |
| Defined Access Saver | UK residents aged 18+ | 2.50% AER / 2.47% gross variable with 3 or fewer withdrawals in a calendar year; 1.04% after 4 or more withdrawals; save £1-£3,000,000 |
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate ISA | Cash ISA savers aged 18+ who are UK tax residents | 4.25% AER/tax-free fixed for 1 or 2 years; £1,000 minimum deposit; early closure charges may apply |
| Cash ISA | Instant-access cash ISA savers | 1.15% AER / 1.14% tax-free variable on £1-£24,999; 2.45% AER / 2.42% tax-free variable on £25,000+; £1 minimum |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Investment ISA customers | Investment value can fall as well as rise; eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply |
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Term Savings | Fixed-term savings for UK residents aged 16+ | 4.00% AER / 3.93% gross fixed for 1 or 2 years; save £1-£3,000,000; early closure charges may apply |
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First Saver | Children under 16, opened by parent or guardian | 1.60% AER / 1.59% gross variable on balances from £1; instant-access children's savings account |
| Item | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | Reward Account | £2/month |
| Reward Conditions | Reward Account | Pay £1,250 into an eligible NatWest account each month and meet the Reward criteria |
The NatWest app is rated around 4.8/5 on the Apple App Store and 4.7/5 on Google Play at the time of review. It is a mature high street banking app with a broad feature set rather than a basic account-viewing tool.
Useful day-to-day features include card controls, payments, savings round-ups, receipt capture, biometric login, and Get Cash. For customers who want a traditional bank but do not want a dated app experience, NatWest is one of the stronger options.
NatWest is a strong choice for customers who want a traditional high street bank but do not want to compromise too much on app functionality. The app is mature, the Reward account can provide monthly value when conditions are met, and the Digital Regular Saver is competitive for customers building savings gradually.
The main drawbacks are travel and borrowing costs. Standard debit-card spending abroad carries a 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee, and arranged overdraft borrowing is expensive at 39.49% EAR variable. Frequent travellers and heavy overdraft users may still be better served by a digital bank or specialist product.
Overall, NatWest may suit customers who want a full-service UK bank with a capable app, useful savings tools, and optional branch or telephone support. It is less compelling as a standalone travel card or low-cost borrowing option.
Financial Information Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and may not always reflect the latest fees, rates, or terms offered by each bank. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up-to-date, you should always check the bank's official website or app before applying for an account. Nothing on this site constitutes financial advice.
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