Business bank accounts

Put your business account in safe hands

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See how we compare

Already a business customer?

Whatever stage your business is at, we’re here to help you thrive

With our business accounts you could get:

Free accounting software to simplify invoicing and cashflow, with FreeAgent (free for customers who retain their business account, specific account eligibility apply)
Access to borrowing options that could help you grow (Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Over 18s only. Subject to status, business use only, not available to Mettle customers)
The ability to bank anywhere – online, on your mobile 24/7, or at our network of branches or local Post Office (branch and Post Office banking not available to Mettle customers)
Help when you need it by talking to us through secure messaging in-app or online

Compare business bank accounts

The below products are available to eligible customers, over 18 who have the right to be self employed in the UK. Specific account and service eligibility criteria apply.

App available to customers with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.

Just starting out?

Extra support for your start-up, plus free banking for 18 months* with NatWest

For businesses trading less than a year with turnover of less than £1m

Free programmes that could help you grow and support that could help you run your business better (some services available to customers and non-customers)

Connect with experts who could take you further and help achieve your goals sooner

*Charges for unarranged borrowing, Bankline, international payments and any additional services are not part of the free banking offer. At the end of the free banking period, you’ll be automatically moved to the Standard Tariff.

See our start-up account

Established and looking to grow?

A NatWest account for big ambitions, with no minimum monthly charge - only pay for what you use

For businesses with turnover above £1m trading under or over a year, or turnover below £1m trading for over a year

A dedicated Relationship Manager to look after your business (turnover and eligibility criteria apply)

Explore our business account

Self-employed?

Free mobile business bank account

For sole traders or limited companies with up to two owners who have a balance of less than £100k (£50k for sole traders), and are a UK-based company with owners who are UK residents (eligibility criteria apply)

100% free – no hidden costs or transaction fees

You won’t have access to credit or borrowing options

To get FreeAgent for free, all you have to do is make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. If you don’t make one transaction a month, or if your Mettle account is closed and you continue to use FreeAgent then the FreeAgent fees will apply.

Discover Mettle

Not for profit, like a charity or club?

NatWest Community account

Existing NatWest personal or business banking customers are eligible to apply for free banking if your community account's annual credit turnover is less than £100,000 and remains at this level

Everyday support from texts and email alerts

Authorise up to four individual signatories

See our community account

What you need to know before you apply for a NatWest bank account...

How long does it take to open an account?

A new account usually takes around 5-10 days to open, though if any of the following apply to your application, we may need extra information from you and this could impact the opening timelines:

You have more than 2 individuals detailed as owners/officials
You take cash payments
You undertake overseas transactions
You are a Club, Society, Charity, Non Personal Trust (we are unable to open accounts for Personal Trusts)

The application process

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll get a thank you email
If any information is missing, you will be contacted by phone or email and the application will not progress until the information is received
Unless you are a single party, you will be required to complete a mandate, possibly a tax declaration and acknowledge Business account terms. These documents can be completed digitally via Adobe e-sign
Once your account is open, we’ll send you an email with the account details. Your debit card and Online details will arrive shortly after.
If we’re unable to progress your application for any reason, we will notify you by email.

Are there any ways to make the process quicker?

Give us a detailed description of your business in your application
If you’re a start-up, provide a realistic estimate on your turnover. We know this can be challenging, but your best estimate is fine.
Provide clear and detailed information particularly in the trading activity section within the application
Make sure any additional parties linked to the account return the required documents
If we ask for anything else via email or phone after you’ve submitted your application, then check you’ve done or sent it
For personal identification after the application, read the onscreen prompts within HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to understand what documents are valid
Use the application hub within our online system to check for updates

What are the most common reasons business account applications are rejected?

Already started a NatWest application?

Use the same details that you created when you applied for your business account. If you haven’t already set up access to your online application centre, you can create a login now

What you need to open a NatWest business account

Participating providers of UK business bank accounts have agreed to a basic set of information that they will need from you to set up your UK business current account. Find out what you’ll need to provide using the simple business banking checklist from UK Finance, the UK’s leading trade association for financial services.

See how our accounts compare

If you’d like to see how our Business Bank account products stack up against the others in the market, you can compare them at the following websites (suggested by the UK Government's Competition and Markets Authority):

Swoop Funding

Funding Xchange

Funding Options

Alternative Business Funding

Switch to us from another bank

The Current Account Switch service will do all the work for you, moving everything across from your old account to your new account, all within 7 working days, including Direct Debits and standing orders. Simply apply for any of our business accounts and tell us you’re switching. Then choose which Switch service you need and give us your details.

Current Account Switch Guarantee (PDF, 40KB)

Your Guide to switching your account to us (PDF, 2.3MB)

How does the Switch service work?

The Current Account Switch service is not currently available for Mettle.

Tyl by NatWest

Use our simple solution, Tyl, to take payments in-store, online or over the phone (eligibility and fees apply)

Explore Tyl

Have a look at some of our service measures

If you want to see how we have performed on key service areas, you can get a detailed view here.

NatWest performance indicators (PDF, 58KB)

How fees work for our NatWest business accounts

Business accounts can often seem complicated when it comes to charges. We’re here to help you find ways to save and learn more about what you’re charged for. And although NatWest start-up business account holders don’t pay transaction fees for the first 18 months anyway, it’s always worth understanding how you can reduce your charges after that period ends.

Some ways to manage your account charges

Useful info about our NatWest business accounts

What happens after we open your business account?

Asked for a debit card? It’ll arrive in the next few days

Activate your card to pay bills, take out and pay in cash

Chosen the option for online banking in your application? We’ll send you detailed instructions on how to activate it after your account is open

Activated your online banking? Now you can order a card reader and get our mobile banking app*

Didn’t select the option for online banking? It’s easy to apply after your account is open. Find out more about online banking

If you’ve requested Bankline, a member of the Bankline team will be in touch to discuss this service once your current account is open.

Applied for a currency account(s)? You’ll receive your currency account(s) details within a few days after your current account has been opened

*Our app is available to all online banking customers with a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Fingerprint login is available on selected devices.

Can I switch banks after taking out a loan?

You are able to switch your Business Current Account or your business banking to another provider while retaining your business loan with us. We may require you to open a fee free loan servicing account and will confirm if this is required as part of the switching process. A fee-free Loan Servicing Account is not a Business Current Account. This account will purely be used to facilitate your loan and will be free of any transaction charges.

Applied for a business credit card or a business plus credit card? What’s next?

We’ll start processing your application as soon as we’ve opened your current account. First we’ll carry out our standard lending and security checks, then let you know our decision shortly afterwards.

If your application is successful, we’ll send out your welcome pack, card and PIN, separately in the post. This process normally takes 10-12 working days, after we’ve opened your current account.

We’ll let you know your agreed credit limit right away. You can also apply to change this limit as soon as we’ve opened your account.

If you’ve got any questions about your credit card, please contact us on:

0345 301 6263

Relay UK: 18001 0345 301 6263

Monday – Friday, between 8am – 6pm

What is a Loan Servicing Account?

A loan servicing account is only required if you are currently in the process of applying for a business loan and you do not have or wish to have a business current account with us.

This account will only enable you to deposit funds with the bank to meet your monthly loan repayment. It CAN NOT be used to support day to day business transactions like taking payments from customers or making payments to suppliers and for this you will need to apply for a business current account.

If you have business current account with us you will be able to apply for loans and overdrafts in the future without the need to open an additional loan servicing account.

Additional support for your business

It pays to have a business plan

Every successful business starts with a plan. We have six key do’s and don’ts and tips on how to write yours.

More about business plans

Five successful growth strategies

Our experts have put together five ways to help ensure your business is a success. We think its essential reading.

See our growth strategies

10 micro-improvements for your business

Small changes can make a big difference. We’ve got ten tips that we think every business should read.

Read our 10 tips for improvement