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Looking to the customer of the future

The Fintech Programme

An opportunity for fintechs to explore the potential of working with NatWest to shape the future of banking, together.

Our programme theme for 2026 - How is AI shaping the future of customer experience?

We know technology is constantly changing the way that business and customers engage with one another. Over the next few years, new innovations are set to radically change the approach to customer engagement. Whether that’s the increase in agentic AI assistants or the emergence of smart device types, the nature of customer engagement will fundamentally change for the 20 million customers we serve across our retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial businesses.

When you’re applying, let us know which customer you think would be the best fit for your proposition.

We want to work with companies who are reimagining how we face into this future world and how we help customers thrive.

Customer-focussed thinking

You'll currently be solving at least one of the following opportunities associated with delivering the best experience using AI to shape the future of customer experience.

Immersive banking experiences

In a world beyond apps and screens, how might we design customer journeys and create immersive banking experiences to engage customers using trusted channels?

Supporting vulnerable customers

How might innovation in technology, AI and smart devices provide opportunities to better support more vulnerable customers?

Relationships at the heart

How can we leverage the power of agentic capabilities to exceed customer needs, whilst putting relationship at the heart of the experience?

Optimising customer engagement

In an agentic AI world where brands are interacting with both AI agents and customers around the clock, how might we optimise customer engagement?

Programme benefits

A 12-week programme that aims to open up connections, delivered by the NatWest Innovation team. We'll cover two focus areas.

Ecosystem

Through a blend of fortnightly mixers and events, you'll hear from partners of NatWest Group about ecosystem trends and focus areas, as well as getting complimentary tickets to London Tech Week 2026.

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Navigating the business

Dedicated time with our Innovation team and reps from across NatWest Group to share insights and explore opportunities to work together, whether that's through investment or experimentation.

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Who it's for

What you need:

  • to be UK-based fintech, or serving UK customers
  • to be Pre-Series A, or Series A company with proven product-market-fit
  • to be working on a solution that fits with the opportunity areas.


It’s also good if you can show:

  • a product or service customers are already using
  • an active user base
  • revenue (showing monetisation of the product)
  • successful raising of initial funding
  • a track record of working with enterprise clients (but that’s not essential if you can demonstrate your potential).

Apply to be part of the programme

In your application, let us know which customer group your proposition is helping.

Thanks for your interest, and good luck with your application.

Apply now (online form) Open in new window
Terms and conditions Open in new window

If you’re having trouble with the application form, email us at open.experience@announcements.rbs.co.uk

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Hear from one of our 2025 cohort

In 2025, we ran our first Fintech Programme with a small cohort. Here’s what one of the businesses in the cohort said:

 “Tunic Pay was extremely proud to be a participant in the inaugural Fintech Programme. This catalysed our deep partnership with the bank by introducing us to experts in payments and fraud across NatWest Group, and giving us a structure for engagement and momentum. The Fintech Programme gave us access to invaluable product feedback, to mentorship, and also to new areas of opportunity as we're now working on the commercial bank in addition to the retail bank!”

- Nico and Nicky, Tunic Pay co-founders

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