Switching to us
We've made it easy to switch to NatWest
Looking for real choice from your bank - like a range of current accounts designed for the way you live your life? It's easy to get the options you need when you switch to NatWest.
Four things we'll do to help you switch
- Set up your standing orders and Direct Debits
- Ask your existing bank to cancel all payments
- Give you letters for your employer, so that they can credit your salary to your new account
- Ask your existing bank to close your account and transfer the balance to us
Getting it right – our promise on bank charges
Concerned about switching? We'll do everything we can to make the process go as smoothly as possible. It's very unlikely that you will incur any bank charges as a result of an error or unnecessary delay on our part. However, if this happens we’ll refund these charges in full.
We could match your deal
Did you know we could match the type of card and overdraft you have with your existing bank? (If you’re looking to do this, you'll have to pay your main source of income into your new account with us.)
Simply bring along your bank card, the last month's statement from your existing account and something that shows your overdraft limit (a letter, online banking print-out or cash machine receipt will do).
Applying online or over the phone? Simply accept the overdraft limit we offer – then contact your branch to request a deal which matches the arrangement with your previous bank.
Your welcome to NatWest
Once we’ve opened your account, we’ll send you a Welcome Pack, with details of the features and benefits of your new account.
We will also send you the following (separately) within 10 days:
- Servicecard or Cashcard
- your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- Cheque book and / or paying-in book (if you’ve asked for them)
What are you looking for in a current account? Simple everyday banking or accounts with extras like travel insurance?
Regular current accounts – looking for free everyday banking to help manage your finances? Choose a regular current account
Accounts with extras – want travel cover or mobile phone insurance? Choose a current account with extras
Switching your current account to NatWest is easy – and we do the majority of work on your behalf. Here's a breakdown of what to expect.
At the start...
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We'll send you a letter confirming that we have received your request, what to expect next and who to contact with any questions. | Before we can start the account switching process, we need your permission to contact your existing bank. To obtain this, we need to complete and sign a short authorisation form. If you open your new account at a branch, a Customer Adviser will complete the form for you. If you apply for your account over the phone or online, an authorisation form will be sent out to you if you indicate 'yes' to the question 'Are you transferring an existing account from another financial institution?'. |
Direct Debits and standing orders
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We'll ask your existing bank or building society to send us details of your standing orders and Direct Debits, then set them up exactly as they are on your existing account. We'll then instruct your existing bank to cancel all these payments. You can also choose to review your Direct Debits and standing orders before we set them up however this can lengthen the transfer process by up to three weeks. If you choose this option, we’ll send you a list of the payments being made by your existing bank for you to check and ask you to confirm to us within 10 working days which payments you wish us to make, and the date from which they should be paid. | We rely on your existing bank and the Direct Debit originators to comply with our instructions regarding where to take your payments from. We recommend that you ensure your old account has been closed and that you check your statements carefully to make sure everything is proceeding as planned. |
Money that's paid into your account
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We’ll give you letters with your new account details, so that you can advise your employer, pension or other payment providers to send any regular credits to your NatWest account. | We need you to pass the letters we give you with your new account details to your employer, pension or other payment providers, so they know to send regular credits to your NatWest account. Do you receive dividend payments on shares? You will need to ask your branch to advise the registrars of your new account details, so these can be paid into your NatWest account. |
Closing your existing account and transferring the balance
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We’ll ask your existing bank to close your account and transfer the balance to your NatWest account. We'll give them five working days' notice to do this. We can even transfer overdrawn balances, as long as you have sufficient funds or an agreed overdraft on your new account. If you need to arrange an overdraft, you can do this by speaking to your branch, or by using our telephone or internet banking services. | If you ask us to close your existing account, you will need to return to your existing bank any cheque books or cards, or confirm to them that they have been destroyed. We will provide you with a letter to use to do this. Your existing bank may not comply with our instructions unless you do so. When disposing of old books and cards, please ensure that all items are cut into small pieces and, for cards, that the chip and magnetic strip are cut in half. Please note that if you do not ask us to close your existing account, you’ll need to make your own arrangements to transfer the balance. |
Savings accounts
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We can transfer the balance on any savings accounts you hold elsewhere to a NatWest savings account of your choice. Please note that we are unable to transfer Fixed Rate Bonds. Please ask your branch about our simple ISA transfer service. | We do everything for you. |
When the switch is complete
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We'll send you a letter to tell you when we have completed all our actions. | Nothing – except start using your NatWest current account. |
No Direct Debits or standing orders? Switching is even easier
If you only want to redirect a credit (for example, if you don’t have any Direct Debits or standing orders and wish to keep your existing account open), then there's no need to complete an Account Switching Authorisation Form.
Instead you just need to use the template letter we give you to write to your employer, pension or other credit providers with your new NatWest account details.
To open a new current account, you will need to provide us with original documentary proof of your identity and your address. We need to see one identification document and one address verification document.
You can't use the same item to confirm both your name and address.
How you can help
If you have a current account with another bank or building society, it may help to provide your most recent statement.
If you are applying for a student account, please supply three months' full bank statements.
For a current account with a debit card or overdraft facility, you may also need to provide proof of your income, for example, your most recent bank statement or three months' salary slips.
Don't have the right documents?
If you can't provide one item from each list, give us a call on 0800 200 400 (Minicom 0800 917 0526) to find out if there are any other documents we may be able to accept to open your new account. Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm (excluding bank holidays).
| Identification Table |
|---|
| Current signed Passport |
| EU national ID card |
| Current Full UK photocard Driving Licence |
| Current Full UK Driving Licence (old style paper version) |
| Construction Industry - Tax exemption certificate with photograph of holder (forms CIS4, CIS6) |
| Student identification/matriculation card (from a recognised university or college) - must be valid for current academic year |
| Firearms or shotgun certificate |
| Benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept. of Work and Pensions) and/or Job Centre Plus confirming the right to benefits at present. |
| Photo credit/debit card issued by a UK/EU bank |
| UK armed forces ID card |
| Police warrant card |
| Disabled driver's pass |
| OAP Travel Pass |
| Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence |
| Identity Card issued by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland |
| For 20 years old and under only |
| NHS medical card |
| Birth certificate |
| UK provisional photo card driving licence |
| PASS Card (Young Scot, Citizencard, Portman Group, Validate UK or equivalent) |
| Address Verification Table |
|---|
| Council Tax bill or payment book (within last 12 months) |
| Utility bill - within last 6 months (mobile phone bills and internet access bills are not acceptable) |
| Current full UK photo card driving licence |
| Current full UK driving licence (old style paper version) |
| Bank/building society/credit card statement (within last 6 months) |
| Original mortgage statement (no more than 12 months old) |
| Benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept. of Work and Pensions) and/or Job Centre Plus confirming the right to benefits at present. |
| Current home or motor insurance certificate (issued within the last 12 months, can only be used by policy holder) |
| Current local Council rent card or tenancy agreement (private tenancy agreements are not acceptable) |
| Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence |
| Solicitor's letter confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation |
| For Students Any item from the address verification list can be taken to confirm address. Alternatively, you can show us a: |
| University/college Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment offer |
| Student Loan Company/LEA/SASS Award letter |
| UCAS letter |
| Introduction from a recognised UK college or university |
| For customers 20 years and under |
| UK provisional photocard driving licence |
Why do we need to see your ID?
When you open a new account with us, we are required by law to ask you to prove who you are and where you live. This is to comply with money laundering regulations and to help stop criminals using financial products or services to move money around.
These security checks apply to both new and existing customers. As well as fulfilling our legal responsibility, we aim to help combat financial crime and protect you from criminals who might otherwise falsely use your name, without your knowledge.
Apply now
Call us on
0800 200 400
Minicom
0800 917 0526
Lines are open: Mon to Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm
(excl. public holidays).
Calls may be recorded