Press Room

NatWest Launches First Dedicated Polish Bank Account in Britain
(15 January 2007)

  • Only bank account to offer both current account services in Britain and access to customers’ funds in Poland
  • Only bank account to be delivered and supported entirely in the Polish language

Today, NatWest brings to market a brand new current account for Polish-speaking customers. The NatWest Welcome Account has been launched specifically to meet the banking needs of Polish-speaking migrants who are new to the UK and is the first bank account where all services are in Polish, including telephone and internet banking as well as a dedicated telephony unit staffed by Polish speakers.

There are approximately 300,000 Polish speakers working in the UK and NatWest conducted extensive research amongst existing Polish-speaking communities. It found that top of their wish list was the need to transfer money to family members in Poland in a cost-effective and secure way so the NatWest Welcome account is in fact two accounts in one.

Not only does it provide Polish customers in Britain with a current account for their day to day needs but it also comes with a Money Transfer Account into which customers are able to transfer funds straight from their Current Account. This then allows a family member or friend in Poland, nominated by the NatWest Welcome Account holder at account opening to withdraw those funds from that account via a cash machine card, also provided by NatWest, from cash machines in Poland or anywhere in the world.

Helen Page, NatWest Marketing Director, said: “The NatWest Welcome Account offers an entirely unique service. The typical Polish speaker in the UK is a young, skilled professional who is here to work hard and save money. Things aren’t always easy when you move to a new country, so NatWest is trying to make life a bit more straightforward by ensuring that banking doesn’t pose an additional worry.

“Our research revealed that new Polish speakers in the UK want the whole bank account package delivered in Polish, not just part of it. With the support of our new Polish Telephony Unit, the NatWest Welcome Account offers a unique level of language support, which none of the other banks offer.

“This straightforward package is perfect for a Polish speaker’s initial banking needs because it provides day-to-day banking and a safe, inexpensive way to send money to family back home.”

The NatWest Welcome Account can be opened by filling in an application form, which can be downloaded from www.natwest.com/welcome. Application forms can also be picked up from any NatWest branch or ordered from NatWest’s Polish Telephony Unit on: 0845 2467979. The only form of ID that is required to open a NatWest Welcome Account is a current passport or ID card and proof of employment in the UK.

Notes to Editors

  • The Welcome Account consists of a credit only linked Current Account and Money Transfer Account which are sold as one package and cannot be sold separately
  • Account holders will be entitled to a debit card for their Current Account which can be used in the UK and abroad
  • Cash withdrawals of up to £250 a day are permitted on the Current Account
  • Account holders’ salaries can be paid into their Current Account
  • Funds deposited in the Money Transfer Account can be accessed by a beneficiary (elected by the account holder) anywhere in the world through an ATM card and a PIN
  • Each money transfer from the Current Account to the Money Transfer Account costs £4 per transaction with an additional foreign exchange rate of 2.5% per withdrawal – this fee is pre-notified and charged monthly
  • All application forms and account documentation are in Polish apart from statements and pre-advice notification
  • The account has a monthly charge of £2
  • This product, together with the relevant application forms is available in all NatWest branches
  • The only form of ID needed to open the account is a passport or ID card and a letter from the customer’s employer to prove their employment credentials
  • The automated telephone banking service is available 24/7 and the Polish Centre of Excellence Telephony unit is open Monday – Friday, 8am-8pm
  • Please refer to www.natwest.com/welcome for more information

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