Dedicated switching team
Switching your current account to NatWest is easy and free of charge
Our specialist switching team are dedicated to making your switch as simple and smooth as possible. They will keep you informed of the progress of your switch and will be at hand to answer any questions that you may have.
- Choose a bank account that is right for you and click on ‘Apply now’
- Within the online application select ‘yes’ to the following question:
Are you transferring an existing account from another financial institution?
Have your old bank statement to hand to help you answer questions relating to your old account - Sign and return the new account paperwork. If your application is successful you will receive a letter confirming your new account is open together with the new account switcher forms
- Sign the new account switcher forms and send them back in the envelope provided
- Our dedicated switching team will do all the hard work for you and keep you up to date with progress
Account switching is also available to applications opened in branch or by the telephone. Simply tell the Customer Advisor that you wish to use the New Account Switching Service when opening your account.
Our specialist switching team will:
- Let you know when we have received your application
- Provide you with letters to send to those people or organisations that pay money into your account
- Contact your other bank for a list of your direct debits and standing orders
- Advise your direct debit companies of your new account details and ask them to amend their records
- Set up standing orders on your new account
- Ask your other bank to cancel your payments
- Ask your other bank to close your account and transfer the balance to your new account (if requested)
- Send or hand the letters we give you to your employer, pension provider or any other organisations that make regular payments into your account
- Return all cheque books and debit cards to your old bank
We rely on your existing bank and direct debit originators to comply with our instructions, therefore 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
We’ll do everything we can to make the process go as smoothly as possible. It’s very unlikely that you will incur 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.
When we receive your application we will send you details of a telephone line direct to our dedicated switching team who will answer any questions you have on your switch.
Simply go to your local branch to open your new account taking your last month’s bank statement from your existing account and something that shows your overdraft limit (a letter, online banking print-out or cash machine receipt will do) where they will look to match your existing deal
Please note, not all accounts offer overdraft facilities – your local branch will be happy to discuss which account is suitable for you
Credit facilities: over 18s only
Facility matching is subject to a limit of £4,000 for personal accounts and £10,000 for private accounts
Facility matching is subject to normal credit scoring assessments which the Customer Advisor in your local branch will be happy to explain to you
If you hold an Advantage Gold or Current Account and intend to use the NatWest switching service, the interest free period on any agreed overdraft will commence when we process your transfer of account instructions and will end three months after the account is opened.
The overdraft confirmation information we will issue to you after we have agreed to provide the overdraft will contain a Total Cost of Credit amount. Under the Consumer Credit Act we are required to provide you with details of the cost of credit covering a period of three months based on the whole overdraft facility being drawn in full over that period.
When we calculate the Total Cost of Credit, we will use the interest rate that applies to the overdraft at the time the facility is agreed. Please note that where we have not yet processed your transfer of account instructions when the overdraft is agreed, the rate used in the calculation will be the rate that will apply when the interest free period ends. The Total Cost of Credit amount is illustrative only and the actual cost will depend on your use of the overdraft, which will include the interest free period you may enjoy.
Please note, not all accounts offer overdraft facilities – please refer to our current accounts section which will help you select an account that is right for you.
Credit facilities: over 18s only
Provision of an overdraft is subject to normal credit scoring assessment.
Overdraft repayable on demand.
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
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| You authorise us to switch your account by completing, signing and returning the switching application form that arrives with your account confirmation letter.
If you apply in branch a Customer Advisor will help you complete the application |
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We acknowledge your request and provide you with details of a telephone line direct to our dedicated switching team and details of what to expect next.
We send you letters (credit redirection letters) bearing your new account details for you to send or hand to those people who pay money into your account, e.g. employer, pension provider, child benefit provider. We ask your existing bank for a list of your Standing Orders and Direct Debits | Forward the credit redirection letters to those people paying money into your account. |
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
We receive a list of your regular payments and we will:
| We rely on existing bank and Direct Debit originators to comply with our instructions regarding where to take the payments from.
We recommend that you ensure your old account has been closed (if requested) and check your statement carefully to make sure everything is proceeding as planned. |
| What we will do | What we ask you to do |
|---|---|
| We send you a letter to confirm that all actions have been undertaken by us.
We will provide you with a date that your Standing Orders and Direct Debits will start taking effect from (providing Direct Debit companies have taken relevant action). | Start enjoying your NatWest account. |
Whether you are looking for simple everyday banking or an account with extras like travel insurance, we’ve got a range to choose from.
Once you’ve made your choice, click on ‘Apply now’ and follow our easy steps for switching to us
Need some help choosing an account?
Get suggestions fast by using our current account finder tool.
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).
How to open your account
Your application pack will contain your switching form and will detail the documents we need you to provide.
You can provide this documentation in one of two ways:
- You can visit your nearest branch where your documents will be validated & certified
- You can post the required documents to us by return with the application pack we will shortly send you in the post
As we accept a wider range of ID in branch, including both a full UK driving licence and current signed passport but do not accept these via post, most customers find it easier to complete the account opening process in branch.
- Confirming your identity
| Table A – One document required To confirm your identity please provide one item from Table A below. Item must display your full name. | |
|---|---|
| Acceptable items – one item only | Important notes |
Common ID (Branch only)
| - We can accept these forms of ID in branch but we cannot accept these via post, so please do not send these to us |
HM Revenue and Customs
|
- Tax notifications and correspondence must be either less than 6 months old or dated within current (April to April) financial year
- P60s, P45s and NI Number Confirmation Letters are not acceptable |
Benefits Agency – Notification
|
- Benefit Agency notifications must have been issued within the last 12 months and be valid for current or future benefits
- Please note that benefits documents are valid for the addressee only and are not acceptable identification for other parties named within the course of the document |
Under 20s Only
| - Should only be used if none of the above are available |
- Confirming your address
| Table B – One document required To confirm your address, please provide one item from Table B below. Items must show your current address. | |
|---|---|
| Acceptable items - one item only | Important notes |
Statement
|
- Statements should be no more than 6 months old
- Mortgage summary statement should be no more than 12 months old |
Household Bills
|
- Bills should be no more than 6 months old
- Mobile phone bills & TV licences are not acceptable |
Local Authority
| - All items should be no more than 12 months old and be valid either for the current financial year or the one immediately upcoming |
- Confirming your identity
| Table A – One document required To confirm your identity please provide one item from Table A below. Item must display your full name. | |
|---|---|
| Acceptable items – one item only | Important notes |
HM Revenue and Customs
|
- Tax notifications and correspondence must be either less than 6 months old or dated within current (April to April) financial year
- P60s, P45s and NI Number Confirmation Letters are not acceptable |
Benefits Agency – Notification
|
- Benefit Agency notifications must have been issued within the last 12 months and be valid for current or future benefits
- Please note that benefits documents are valid for the addressee only and are not acceptable identification for other parties named within the course of the document |
Under 20s Only
| - Should only be used if none of the above are available |
- Confirming your address
| Table B – One document required To confirm your address, please provide one item from Table B below. Items must show your current address. | |
|---|---|
| Acceptable items - one item only | Important notes |
Statement
|
- Statements should be no more than 6 months old
- Mortgage summary statement should be no more than 12 months old |
Household Bills
|
- Bills should be no more than 6 months old
- Mobile phone bills & TV licences are not acceptable |
Local Authority
| - All items should be no more than 12 months old and be valid either for the current financial year or the one immediately upcoming |
Dividend
| - Must be payable to yourself with address confirmed on the counterfoil/voucher and no more than 6 months old |
Document Guideline
- Please provide originals only. We cannot accept photocopies and items printed from the internet including bank statements.
- Individual items can only be used once, either for Table A or Table B but not both.
- We will return your documentation once we’ve processed your application.
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 to book an appointment or speak to an advisor
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