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Savings and Investments
Manage your savings account
Need a hand managing your savings account?
From basic tasks like topping up your savings pot or taking money out, to reactivating your ISA or finding out why you've seen 'DRS overfund' on your Digital Regular Saver statement - here's what you need to know to help you manage your NatWest savings account.
To get started, just choose your savings account from the list below.
Manage your Cash ISA
You've got until the 5th April to make the most of the £20,000 ISA allowance for the current tax year. Don't forget - if you haven't paid into your ISA for a full tax year, you'll need to reactivate it before you can pay into it again.
Paying money in
Paying into an ISA is called subscribing. There are four different kinds of ISA: Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs, Innovative Finance ISAs and Lifetime ISAs.
At Natwest, we offer Cash ISAs and Stocks & Shares ISAs, but you might have other kinds of ISAs with other banks or building societies. Our Cash ISAs include Variable Rate ISAs, Fixed Rate ISAs and Help to Buy:ISAs.
You can subscribe to one of each kind of ISA in a tax year, as long as the total amount you save across all your ISAs isn't more than your annual ISA allowance of £20,000. Tax years run from 6th April to 5th April the following year.
Is one of your Cash ISAs a Help to Buy:ISA? You can only pay up to £200 a month into your Help to Buy: ISA, but you can pay into another NatWest Cash ISA in the same tax year. You can find out more about that in the Help to Buy: ISA section of this page.
Want to find out more about ISAs? Check out our ISA guide.
You can use mobile or online banking to pay money into your Cash ISA.
If you've got more than one type of ISA, just make sure you're not paying in more than your ISA allowance of £20,000 for the current tax year across all your ISAs. Tax years run from 6th April to 5th April the following year.
If you've got a Fixed Rate ISA, you can pay in a lump sum at the start of your fixed term. For other Cash ISAs, you can choose whether you want to pay in lump sums, or set up a monthly standing order to help you save more regularly.
If you've not paid into your Cash ISA for a full tax year, you'll need to reactivate it before you can pay into it again. You'll still earn interest on your balance and be able to withdraw your funds.
You can reactivate your ISA in the mobile app or online banking – just click the ‘Help’ button and ask to ‘reactivate my ISA’. Your ISA will be reactivated the next working day.
Taking money out
Our Cash ISA is an instant access account, so you can take money out whenever you need to. It's worth remembering that if you take money out of your ISA, you can only pay money back in that same tax year up to your annual ISA allowance of £20,000. For example, if you pay £16,000 into your cash ISA and take out £500, you can only save up to £19,500 by the end of the tax year.
Don't forget, if you just want to move the savings in your Cash ISA to another ISA account, you'll need to go through the ISA transfer process to make sure you don't lose out on any of the tax free benefits of your ISA account.
ISA Inheritance Allowance
If you're the spouse or civil partner of anyone who died from 3rd December 2014 onwards and held an ISA at the time of death, you can apply to have their ISA allowance added to your ISA. This is called ‘Additional Permitted Subscription’, or APS.
This isn't inheriting the actual money in the ISA, which follows the normal estate process. If the ISA holder died on or before the 5th April 2018, the value of the allowance is equal to the value of the ISA balance, including all interest at the date of death. If the ISA holder died on or after the 6th April 2018, the allowance can be the higher of the value of the ISA balance including all interest at the date of death, or the value of the ISA balance at the point the ISA is no longer a “continuing account”.
An ISA account is no longer a “continuing account” when the administration of the estate is complete, the ISA is closed, or 3 years have passed since the date of death – whichever is earliest. Please note, if the estate takes more than 3 years to settle, interest earned after this is taxable so will not count towards the APS.
To apply please print, complete and return this form to:
Everyday Banking, PO Box 5612, Manchester, M61 0WN
We'll check the information you've given us and write to you within 30 days with your exact entitlement, along with details of how to add those funds to your own cash ISA without using your personal annual ISA allowance.
For further information on we how can help during the difficult period following the death of a loved one, find out about our Bereavement Service.
How to transfer your ISA
When you move your savings from one ISA account to another, it's called an ISA transfer. There are a few reasons you might want to transfer your ISA, but the main ones are:
- You want to move an ISA you've already got with another bank or building society to a different one
- You want to move your savings from one kind of ISA to another one e.g. move your savings from a Cash ISA to a stocks and shares ISA
If you want to transfer an ISA, it's important to make sure you go through the proper ISA transfer process so you don't lose out on any of the tax free benefits of your ISA account.
First, you'll need to have a NatWest Cash ISA to transfer the funds into. Not got one yet? You can find out more about how to open one on our Cash ISA page.
If you've already got a NatWest Cash ISA, or you've just opened a new one, you can start the transfer process by filling out the online Cash ISA Transfer Request form.
If your current ISA provider isn't listed on the online Cash ISA Transfer Request form you can print this paper Cash ISA Transfer Request form, fill in the details and post it to: ISA Transfer Team, Everyday Banking, PO Box 5612, Manchester, M61 0WN.
If you want to transfer a stocks and shares ISA, you'll need to complete this paper ISA transfer form.
You'll find all you need to know about how to transfer your ISA savings into a stocks and shares ISA on our NatWest Invest pages.
You can transfer your ISA to another bank or building society whenever you like, by following their ISA transfer process. You'll need to check with them how their ISA process works, but once you've kicked it off they'll get in touch with us so we can work with them to get your ISA savings transferred over.
Manage your Help to Buy: ISA
With a Help to Buy: ISA, the UK Government will give you a bonus worth 25% of what you have saved when you are ready to buy your first home. You need to have saved at least £1,600 to qualify and the maximum savings that can qualify is £12,000. This money goes towards the completion cost of buying your first home.
Our Help to Buy: ISA is no longer available to new customers.
How do I pay in to my Help to Buy: ISA?
You can save up to £200 in your Help to Buy: ISA per calendar month.
If you set up a regular payment, otherwise known as a standing order, you don't need to think about moving money each month because it'll happen automatically. You can easily change or cancel the standing order any time you like and you can choose how often you want to save.
Got our mobile app? You can set up a standing order quickly and easily - just choose the account you want the regular payment to come from and select the 'Standing order' section.
If you use online banking, select 'Payments & Transfers' from the main menu and go to the 'Standing orders' section.
If you've not paid into your Help to Buy:ISA for a full tax year, you'll need to reactivate it before you can pay into it again. You'll still earn interest on your balance and be able to withdraw your funds.
You can reactivate your ISA in the mobile app or online banking – just click the ‘Help’ button and ask to ‘reactivate my ISA‘. Your ISA will be reactivated the next working day.
How do I close my Help to Buy: ISA and claim the bonus?
When you're ready to buy your first home, you need to ask us to close your Help to Buy: ISA. If you're registered for Online, Mobile or Telephone Banking you can close your Help to Buy: ISA in the following ways.
Mobile App
- Log into the Mobile App.
- Click on your Help to Buy: ISA account.
- Under "My savings account" click "Close this account".
- Once selected, click "Continue".
- Complete the information on the form and submit.
Online Banking
- Log in to Online Banking.
- Start a chat with Cora by clicking on the "Need help" icon, then "chat now".
- Type "I want to close my Help to Buy: ISA" to start your account closure.
Telephone Banking
- Call us on 03457 888 444 from the UK or 0345 030 3605 if you're overseas. Call charges may differ if calling from overseas. Relay UK Number 18001 03457 888 444. To close your Help to Buy: ISA over the phone, you need to have other products with us.
To close your Help to Buy: ISA via Mobile or Online Banking, you need to have other products with us.
Not registered for Online, Mobile or Telephone Banking? You'll need to visit your local branch or write to us to close your Help to Buy: ISA.
Visit your local NatWest branch
- Take along your Debit Card, Pin and proof of ID with you. If you haven't got a Debit card relating to your savings account, please bring an up to date form of identification. You'll find a list of the forms of ID we can accept here.
Write to us
- Write to us at: NatWest ISA Team, Everyday Banking, PO Box 5612, Manchester, M61 0WN
- When you write to us, please make sure you've included the details of the account you want to close and details of where any funds should be transferred to (including the account number and sort code for both accounts). Please make sure you sign and date the letter too. Then we'll arrange to close your account and send you the Closing Documentation, which can take up to 10 working days.
Any withdrawals you make before closing your account will reduce the value of the bonus you can claim.
Please allow up to 5 working days for your account closure and receipt of your Closing Document, which your conveyancer (or solicitor) will need to claim the bonus from the UK Government on your behalf. If you have chosen to receive your document via post then please allow up to 10 working days.
You have up to 12 months from closing your Help to Buy: ISA to claim your bonus but this should be done as soon as possible to make sure the bonus is received before you are due to complete the purchase of your new home.
Help to Buy: ISA FAQs
You can use your Help to Buy: ISA bonus towards your final deposit and mortgage funds to make up the total price of your new home. The bonus will be paid straight to your conveyancer, who will add it to your funds for you.
Your closing balance must be at least £1,600 to earn the bonus. Opening an account doesn't guarantee you'll be entitled to a bonus.
No, you're not restricted to new builds. There is a maximum property price (depending on location) and if the house you want to buy exceeds that a bonus can't be paid. For more information on the Help to Buy: ISA Scheme (including how to claim your bonus from HM Treasury) please refer to the Help to Buy: ISA Scheme Rules at Own Your Home | Help to Buy: ISA - Own Your Home.
If your property purchase doesn't go through after you've closed your Help to Buy:ISA, you can re-instate your account to carry on saving towards your first home.
To do this your solicitor or conveyancer will give you a document called a Purchase Failure Notification confirming your property purchase didn't complete.
Then you'll need to complete the Help to Buy : ISA Account Opening Form (PDF, 249KB) and send it to the address on the form to open your new Help to Buy: ISA. You'll also need to complete the Help to Buy : ISA Reinstatement Request (PDF, 82KB) , enclosing the Purchase Failure Notice, and send it to the address on the request form to make sure your funds are re-instated. Alternatively, you can visit one of our branches.
We'll send your special closing document via an encrypted email, so please make sure your email address and mobile number are up to date. Although this will be a genuine email sent by NatWest, there is a chance it'll go into your junk folder, so you might need to check that folder first if it doesn't arrive in your inbox. It's really important that you don't delete the email, as you’ll need it to access your special closing document.
If you don't want to receive your special closing document via email and would rather receive a copy in the post, please make sure you let us know when you ask us to close your account. You'll receive your documents via email within 5 working days, but documents sent by post will take up to 10 working days.
If you need help accessing your special closing document, or you'd like a step by step walk through on the process, please click here.
Our key features document and information sheets sets out the key information you need to know about your account.
Download Help to Buy: ISA Key Features (PDF, 58 KB)
Download Help to Buy: ISA information sheet (PDF, 132 KB)
Manage your Digital Regular Saver
How much can I save each month?
You can pay £150 each month in to your Digital Regular Saver. If you want to increase the standing order on your Digital Regular Saver account, it's easy to do in the mobile app or Online Banking. You can manage your account through Telephone Banking or by visiting a branch too.
You can pay a maximum of £150 into your Digital Regular Saver each calendar month, not including any Round Ups. If you do pay in more, we’ll send the excess back to your current account.
The returned money will appear on your transactions list as “DRS Overfund ‘current month’". So say you paid in more than £150 in June (excluding Round Ups), it'll show on your transactions list as "DRS Overfund Jun".
Yes, you can use Round Ups to top up your Digital Regular Saver account.
No, Round Ups don't count towards your monthly limit, so you can top up your Digital Regular Saver with the spare change every time you spend on your debit card.
How do I take money out of my Digital Regular Saver?
You can take money out at any time. Just move the amount you want to take out into your current account using Online Banking, the mobile app, in branch or by telephone.
If you close or switch your current account with us in future, you'll only be able to take money out of your account in branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the combination of lump sum deposit and standing order can't be more than £150 per calendar month.
No, but it helps keep you in the savings habit. You will still receive the highest interest rate on your balance up to £1000.
A maximum of £150 can be paid into the account in a calendar month, i.e. 1st – 31st.
Yes, you’ll get the interest rate for the portion of your balance in each interest rate tier even if you stop saving however the standing order will help keep you in the savings habit.
Any money added from Round Ups won't count towards your £150 limit.
Manage your Savings Builder
You can't open a new Savings Builder account anymore.
Ways to pay in
You can pay money in by transferring it from a current account or savings account in your name held with us or another bank. You can manage your account on our mobile app, online or telephone banking. Don't forget, you can use Round Ups with your Savings Builder too, so you can top up your savings with the spare change from your debit card spends.
Yes, you can use Round Ups to top up your Savings Builder account.
Taking money out
Savings Builder is an instant access account, which means you can take money out whenever you want.
You can use the mobile app, online or telephone banking to transfer the money into your NatWest current account. Or you can visit your local branch and our staff can help you.
Manage your Fixed Term Savings Account
Is your Fixed Rate Savings account about to mature? Here's what you need to do.
Fixed term ending soon?
About 2 weeks before your fixed term is due to end, we'll send you a maturity pack with all the infomration on what happens next, whether you decide to reinvest in another Fixed Term Savings Account, or opt out.
Want to revinvest your savings into another Fixed Term Savings Account? No problem, we can automatically do that and send you a Certificate of Deposit with all the details of your new account within 14 days of the new account being opened.
If you change your mind, you can still close your account within 30 days of you reinvesting your savings. After then, you'll need to give us 35 days’ written notice and there could be an Early Closure Charge.
Don't want to reinvest straight away? It’s easy to opt-out. Just complete the Opt-Out form in your maturity pack and send it back to us. You can also let us know you want to opt out of reinvesting at the end of your fixed term at any point in the six months before your account matures by visiting us in branch or calling 03457 888 444 (Relay UK 18001 03457 888 444).
Once you've opted out, if you've got a Fixed Term Savings Account, we’ll convert it into an Instant Saver Account on the day after it matures and pay any outstanding interest into the account.
Taking money out
You can’t take money out of a Fixed Term Savings Account before its end date, unless you ask us to close it and convert it into an Instant Saver first. Once that happens, you can get access to your savings, although it’s worth remembering that there might be an early closure charge if you decide to close your Fixed Term Savings Account before its end date.
Manage your Instant Saver
You can't open a new Instant Saver account anymore.
Ways to pay in
You can pay money in by transferring it from a current account or savings account in your name held with us or another bank. You can manage your account on our mobile app, online or telephone banking. Don't forget, you can use Round Ups with your Instant Saver too, so you can top up your savings with the spare change from your debit card spends.
Yes, you can use Round Ups to top up your Instant Saver account.
Taking money out
Instant Saver is an instant access account, which means you can take money out whenever you want.
The quickest way is to use the mobile app, online or telephone banking to transfer the money into your NatWest current account. Or you can visit your local branch and our staff can help you.
Manage your Flexible Saver
Ways to pay in
You can pay money in by transferring it from a current account or savings account in your name held with us or another bank. You can manage your account on our mobile app, online or telephone banking. Don't forget, you can use Round Ups with your Flexible Saver too, so you can top up your savings with the spare change from your debit card spends.
Yes, you can use Round Ups to top up your Flexible Saver account.
Taking money out
Flexible Saver is an instant access account, which means you can take money out whenever you want.
The quickest way is to use the mobile app, online or telephone banking to transfer the money into your NatWest current account. Or you can visit your local branch and our staff can help you.
Manage your First Saver
Ways to pay in
You can pay money in by transferring it from a current account or savings account in your name held with us or another bank. You can manage your account on our mobile app, online or telephone banking. Don't forget, you can use Round Ups with your First Saver too, so you can top up your savings with the spare change from your debit card spends.
Yes, you can use Round Ups to top up your First Saver account.
Taking money out
First Saver an instant access account, so you can take money out whenever you want but how you do that depends on whether the account is held in trust by an adult, or by a child.
Account held in trust: Only the adult who holds the account in trust for a child can take money out the account, by using the mobile, app, online banking, telephone banking or visiting a NatWest branch.
Account held by child: If the child is 11 years or older, they can register for our telephone and online banking services and use them to move money into their Adapt current account if they've got one. Children under 11 can only take money out in branch and will need to take some ID with them.
There are daily limits on the amount you can transfer from your account online, by telephone or mobile banking. The current daily limits and how to withdraw more than them can be found here or by contacting Telephone Banking.
If you've opened a First Saver held in trust for your child, they are legally entitled to the money in the account when they turn 16 years old if the adult trustee’s address is in Scotland, or 18 years old if the adult trustee’s address is elsewhere.
At that point, the adult trustee should transfer the account into the child’s name so they can access the money.
Manage your Fixed Rate ISA
Fixed Rate ISA maturing soon?
When your Fixed Rate ISA matures, we’ll automatically convert it into a Cash ISA but the sort code and account number will stay the same. About 2 or 3 weeks before your Fixed Rate ISA’s maturity date, you'll get a letter from us to remind you what the interest rate is on your Fixed Rate ISA and what it’ll be when it’s converted to a Cash ISA.
When your Fixed Rate ISA has been converted to a Cash ISA, you can leave the funds where they are or transfer them to another ISA – including re-investing them in another Fixed Rate ISA if you want to. You can find out more about how to do that here.
If you’re transferring the funds to any other kind of ISA (whether that’s with us or another bank or building society) make sure you go through the ISA transfer process so you don’t miss out on any of the tax free benefits you get with an ISA.
Taking money out
You can’t take money out of a Fixed Rate ISA before its end date, unless you ask us to close it and convert it into a Cash ISA first. Once that happens, you can get access to your savings, although it’s worth remembering that there might be an early closure charge if you decide to close your Fixed Rate ISA before its end date.
Manage your Limited Edition Saver
You can't open a new Limited Edition Saver at the moment.
Ways to pay in
You can pay money into your Limited Edition Saver whenever you want and you don’t have to make regular payments. You can use the mobile app, Online Banking or Telephone Banking to transfer money from a current account or savings account held with another bank.
No, you can't use Round Ups to top up your Limited Edition Saver.
Taking money out
Limited Edition Saver is an instant access account, which means you can take money out whenever you want, although it's worth remembering that the amount of interest you earn can change depending on how much you've got saved in your account.
The quickest way is to use the Mobile app, Online or Telephone Banking to transfer the money into your current account. Or you can visit your local branch and our staff can help you.
There are daily limits on the amount you can transfer from your account online, by Telephone or Mobile Banking. The current daily limits and how to withdraw more than them can be found here or by contacting Telephone Banking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interest will be paid on the 1st working day of each month and will be credited to your Limited Edition Saver account.
You can find the most recent interest rate for your Issue Number here. Not sure what your Issue Number is? You'll find it on the Information Sheet we sent to you when you opened your account in your Mailbox in the Mobile app or Online Banking.
No, you can only have a Limited Edition Saver account held in your own name so it can't be turned into a joint account.
We’ll get in touch at least 30 days before your term is due to end. We'll either offer you another fixed rate term, or convert your account to a Primary Savings instant access account.
You'll still be able to use your Limited Edition Saver to make third party payments.
You can close your Limited Edition Saver account in the Mobile app or Online Banking. Before you do, make sure you transfer any money to a different account first.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Online Banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest account. Round Ups is available to customers with an eligible current account, instant access savings account and the Mobile App. Once you’ve set it up, it’ll automatically work with all debit card and contactless device payments (in sterling).
Savings rates and terms
Want to check what interest rates your savings are earning, or need to take a quick look at your savings account terms? Here's the information you need.
Savings basics
Get the most out of your savings account by making it work for you. From regular payments to Round Ups, we've got lots of simple ways to help you grow your savings so you've got some funds ready to use when you need them.
Paying money in
It's a great habit to start - you can easily change or cancel the standing order any time you like and you can choose how often you want to save, whether weekly, monthly or less frequently.
If you set up a regular payment, known as a standing order, you don't need to think about moving money each month because it will happen automatically.
We will set up a standing order for you, or transfer money from an existing NatWest account, if you asked us to in your application.
If you've got our mobile app you can set up a standing order quickly and easily - simply choose the account that you want the regular payment to come from and select the 'Standing order' section.
If you use online banking, simply select 'Payments & Transfers' from the main menu and go to the 'Standing orders' section.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Online Banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest account.
Don’t bank with us? You can contact your other bank to set up a standing order using your savings account details.
You can quickly and easily transfer money to your savings account any time you like via our mobile app or online banking if you have them, or you can call or visit us in branch.
To make a transfer from the mobile app simply select the 'Transfer' button next to your chosen eligible account.
To make a transfer in online banking go to the 'Payments & Transfers' section and select 'Make a payment or transfer'.
Don’t bank with us? You can contact your other bank to make a transfer using your savings account details.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Online Banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest account.
If you've got one of our eligible current accounts and eligible instant access savings accounts, you can use Round Ups to top up your savings with the spare change from your debit card spends.
Taking money out
If you've got an instant access account, you can take money out at any time.
You can withdraw money by transfer to a current account in your name held with Natwest using the Mobile App or online.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Online Banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest account.
If you've got a fixed term savings account, there might be some restrictions about when or how much of your savings you can take out. You'll find full details in your product terms document, or you can download a copy of the saving terms document here.
Tools to help you save
Round Ups
Switch on Round Ups, and we’ll send the spare change from your debit card spend to your savings account. It's saving, made simple.
Information Message
Savings Goal Tool
Our savings goal tool can help you to save towards your goal and track your progress – whatever it is you’re saving for.
Information Message
Budget calculator
Our budget calculator can help you manage your budget so that you can stay on track with your savings goal.
Information Message
Rounds Ups is available to customers with an eligible current account, instant access savings account and the Mobile App. Once you’ve set it up, it’ll automatically work with all debit card and contactless device payments (in sterling).
Manage your Savings FAQs
Yes, we may change the rate up or down. There are a few reasons for this, such as a change in the Bank of England base rate. You can find a full list of reasons for an interest rate change in section 9.2 of the Savings Account Terms. We’ll give you at least 14 days’ notice if the rates are going down and your balance is £100 or more. Otherwise we’ll tell you before or shortly after the change. You can find more details about how we’d tell you about a change in section 9.2 of the Savings Account Terms.
On 6th April 2016 the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) launched which means every basic rate taxpayer (people who pay 20% tax on income) can earn £1,000 interest per tax year without paying tax on it. Higher rate taxpayers (people who pay 40% tax) get a £500 Personal Savings Allowance. Additional rate taxpayers, who pay 45% tax, don’t get any allowance.
The Personal Savings Allowance is in addition to your ISA allowance.
If you close or switch your current account with us in future, you'll only be able to withdraw money from your account in branch.
You can remove someone from your account if you hold a joint Current account or joint Savings account.
Before you apply to remove a party from your savings account, please read the following criteria:
- To remove a person from your account, you'll both need to provide consent and 1 form of ID along with a selfie from the front and side profile.
- Proof of identity is required from both parties. Forms of identification accepted online will be a valid driving licence, passport, European ID or Biometric Residence Permit along with a selfie photo from the front and side profile.
- The party being removed from the account will then be invited to complete the application through our online form, which we'll send to them via email.
If the account you want to remove a party from has more than 2 account holders, you can't use the online service, and you'll need to visit your local branch.
Once you've completed the online process, you and the party being removed from the account will receive a confirmation email from: 'noreply@digidocs.natwest.com'
If you're registered for Online Banking, in most cases you can close your savings account online. For instructions on how to close your savings account (including joint Instant Access accounts, Fixed Term Savings accounts and Cash ISAs), take a look at this answer in our support centre.
Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of NatWest are protected up to a total of £85,000, by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Any deposits you hold above the limit are unlikely to be covered.
Find out more (PDF, 3k KB) about the scheme and how it protects your money.
Investments through NatWest Invest may also be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in some scenarios. You can find out more here.
Banking My Way
Banking My Way is a free service that you can use to make sure we know about any support or adjustments you might need to make banking easier.
The Banking My Way service is available to customers aged 16 or over in the mobile app or Online Banking. For customers under 16, parental consent is required and information must be recorded in branch or over the phone.
Want to open another savings account?
If you're thinking about opening another savings account, take a look at all the options we've got to see which one might be right for you.