From 12 July 2013 we are making some changes to overdraft charges.
Find out more about these changes
There are two kinds of overdraft - arranged and unarranged. It's important to understand the difference between them as each has different charges applied to them.
Arranged overdrafts
An arranged overdraft is a limit on your current account that is agreed in advance between you and the bank and allows you to keep spending up to this agreed limit. Interest is charged on arranged overdraft balances (depending on any interest free threshold on your account).
Unarranged overdrafts
You go into an unarranged overdraft when you don’t have enough money in your account to cover your outgoings and you don’t have an arranged overdraft set up. You’ll also go into an unarranged overdraft if your outgoings take you over your arranged overdraft limit. An Unarranged Overdraft Fee will be charged for each day that you go into an unarranged overdraft by more than £6.
Returned Item Fees
Where you don’t have enough money in your account to cover a payment such as a standing order, Direct Debit or bill - and we decide not to allow that payment to be made - you may be charged a Returned Item Fee. In any Charging Period, the maximum number of Returned Item Fees will be capped at 10.
More helpful information
For further information, please view our full terms.
There are many ways that we can help you to manage your money more easily and to avoid or minimise overdraft charges.
Arrange an overdraft limit in advance
An unarranged overdraft will cost you more in charges than an arranged one. If you think you might go overdrawn at some time, it could be a good idea to apply for an arranged overdraft. Contact us to apply for an arranged overdraft or increase your existing limit. Subject to eligibility.
Act Now Alerts
You can register to receive texts and/or emails (free of charge) to tell you when you need to pay money into your account to cover all payments and/or bring your account back into credit or within any arranged overdraft limit.
Network charges may apply, you should check with your network operator for details.
Balance Alerts
You can register to receive texts with a balance update (free of charge) on a set day each week, or an alert that informs you when your account goes below a certain limit so you can pay money in if funds are running low.
Network charges may apply; you should check with your network operator for details.
Use your Debit card
Paying by Debit card may also help you manage your spending. As every transaction is itemised on your statement, you can see at a glance how much you’ve spent and where you’ve spent your money.
Schedule regular payments
It’s a good idea to set up standing orders and Direct Debits so they leave your account just after your salary has been paid in. This makes it easier to know how much money you have left until next pay day. There are no charges for setting up or amending standing orders or Direct Debits.
Not all companies allow customers to change the date of your Direct Debit. Please check with your provider.
Free 24-hour banking
You can now check your balance and move money between your accounts, wherever you are – online, over the phone or on your mobile (using our free iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android or Windows phone apps).
To use a NatWest app you must have a UK mobile number starting 07. Data download charges may apply, you should check with your network operator for details.
Overdraft Control
Overdraft Control is an optional free service only available on our Select Account. It is designed to help you avoid unarranged overdrafts on your account by where possible rejecting payments that would take your account into an unarranged overdraft.
What’s changing?
From 12 July 2013 we are making some changes to overdraft charges. These changes will affect arranged and unarranged overdrafts.
View our helpful guide to see how these changes will work from 12 July 2013.
For full information, please see below:
- Adapt Account
- Basic Account
- Student Account
- Graduate Account
- Select Account
- Select Silver Account
- Select Platinum Account
- Advantage Gold Account
- Black Account
- For customers with a Current Account
- For customers with a Current Plus Account
- For customers with a Private Bank Account
- For customers with other accounts
View the full details of the rates and charges that apply to overdrafts.
Overdraft Control is a free service only available on our Select Account. It is designed to help you avoid unarranged overdrafts on your account by where possible rejecting payments that would take your account into an unarranged overdraft.
How does Overdraft Control work?
If you register for our free Overdraft Control service we will reject the following payments if paying them would create or increase an unarranged overdraft on your account:
- Direct Debits and Standing orders
- BACS and CHAPS payments
- Cheques
- Future dated payments arranged via telephone or online banking.
The debit card issued with Overdraft Control also prevents offline payments where retailers are unable to check with us that there is enough money in your account (e.g. contactless payments or payments on a plane). Existing customers without this card will be sent a replacement debit card.
Please note, registering for Overdraft Control means that important payments (e.g. your mortgage, rent or utility bills) will not be paid if you don’t have enough money in your account.
If we reject a payment we will not charge you a Returned Item Fee (usually £6 per payment rejected up to a maximum of £60 per monthly charging period).
Payments Overdraft Control cannot prevent
Although Overdraft Control makes unarranged overdrafts less likely, it cannot prevent unarranged overdrafts altogether as there are some transactions we will continue to pay. If we process a payment that creates an unarranged overdraft on your account of more than £25 (£6 for accounts not registered for Overdraft Control), you will be charged Unarranged Overdraft Fees (£6 per day).
Examples of the transactions we will continue to pay:
- Payments made using your debit card where the retailer does not check with us that you have enough money in your account before accepting the payment
- Any NatWest fees or interest due on your account.
How to register for Overdraft Control
Overdraft Control is only available on our Select Account. You can register at your local branch or by calling us on 0800 200 400. Customers with hearing and speech impairments can contact us by Minicom on 0800 917 0526.
Lines are open Monday – Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, closed on Sundays and bank holidays. Calls may be recorded.
If you register by 6pm on a business day, Overdraft Control will take effect on the next business day.
You can register for Overdraft Control even if you have an arranged overdraft on your account.
Any payments you have instructed us to make from your account that have yet to be paid may be affected by you registering for Overdraft Control.
Please consider whether you have any outstanding payments when registering for this service as once you register for Overdraft Control certain payments may not be made.
For further information, please read the Overdraft Control leaflet (297KB, PDF) including full terms and conditions.
It's easy to apply
- Online - If you are a NatWest online banking customer, you can apply from within online banking. Simply go to the 'Apply Online' section and select the 'Request an overdraft' option. Then, follow the on-screen instructions. We complete many of the fields for you, so all you need to do is specify the amount of overdraft that you wish to apply for. We will then confirm our decision and, if your request has been successful, we will apply the new overdraft limit within 48 hours.
- By Telephone - Call us on 0800 148 8323 to speak to an advisor. Call times are Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm (excluding public holidays). Customers with hearing and speech impairments can contact us by Minicom on 0800 917 0526.
- By Post - Simply complete our application form (PDF, 129KB), print it out and send to us
- In Person - Visit your nearest branch to speak with an advisor and complete an Overdrafts application form.
Apply now
Call to book an appointment or speak to an advisor
0800 148 8323
Minicom
0800 917 0526
Lines are open:
Mon to Fri 8am-8pm
Sat 9am-6pm
(excluding public holidays)
Calls may be recorded