NatWest Current Accounts | MoneySuperMarket

Select account

This is a free, everyday bank account that can be used for day-to-day banking. You can manage your account using the NatWest mobile app or Online Banking.
Foundation account

This is simple money management account designed for people with a poor credit history to help people ineligible for other types of current account. You can pay in and withdraw money but you won't get a cheque book, overdraft or credit card.
Student and graduate accounts

Offers useful benefits for those in or recently leaving further education, such as interest-free overdrafts and perks such as railcards and cashback. These types of accounts typically last for three years, and then automatically transition to Select accounts.
Adapt account

This is a teen and kids bank account that has no regular fees and gives young people aged 11-18 a taste for banking. You can freeze or unfreeze the bank card for your children and make contactless payments with Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone.

Reward bank accounts

Reward bank accounts, which come in four varieties:

Standard reward – the basic reward account, offering cashback on money spent on bills and at some retailers
Reward silver – an upgrade from the standard reward account, this also offers insurance packages and lifestyle benefits
Reward platinum – with everything offered by Reward silver, plus more travel and insurance services
Reward black – provides all the benefits of platinum, as well as airport lounge access, improved lifestyle and travel benefits, and further insurance packages

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Which Natwest current account is right for me?

The right NatWest current account depends on how you manage your money and the features you need.

The Select account may suit you if you want a simple everyday current account with no monthly account fee, mobile banking and the option to apply for an arranged overdraft, subject to eligibility. NatWest says applicants must be aged 18 or over and UK residents.

The Reward account could be worth considering if you want to earn Rewards for everyday banking. It has a £2 monthly fee, and customers can earn monthly Rewards by having two or more qualifying Direct Debits and logging into the NatWest app. You’ll also need to pay in £1,250 a month to an eligible NatWest account.

The Foundation account may be offered if you’re not eligible for the current account you apply for. NatWest says you can’t apply for this account directly.

The Student account is designed for full-time undergraduates aged 17 or over. It has no monthly account fee and includes a free four-year tastecard, plus an interest-free overdraft from year one for eligible students aged 18 or over.

The Adapt account may suit children and teenagers aged 11 to 17 who are learning to manage money. It has no monthly account fee and includes app features such as checking balances and freezing a card.

NatWest’s Reward Silver, Reward Platinum and Reward Black accounts may be worth considering if you want packaged benefits such as travel insurance, mobile phone insurance, breakdown cover or airport lounge access. These accounts have monthly fees, so it’s worth checking whether the benefits are useful enough to justify the cost.

Rewards on household bills

You’ll earn money back on selected household bills
Rewards at partner retailers

You’ll also earn money from purchases at certain retailers
Insurance benefits

Some reward accounts offer additional insurance packages for mobile phones, home emergency services, and breakdown cover
Travel rewards

Some also offer travel insurance, as well as access to VIP airport lounges, preferential currency rates, and discounts on other travel services
Lifestyle benefits

You can also pick a reward account that offers lifestyle and leisure perks, such as a National Trust pass, a Tastecard for restaurants, and even a concierge service with the reward black account

A choice of everyday, reward, packaged, student and youth accounts
Access to branch, app and online banking
A fee-free everyday account option
Packaged account benefits such as travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and breakdown cover
The option to apply for an arranged overdraft, subject to eligibility
Student banking with an interest-free overdraft, subject to status

Am I eligible to open a NatWest current account?

Eligibility depends on the NatWest current account you apply for.

For the Select account, you’ll need to be aged 18 or over and a UK resident.

For the Reward account, you’ll need to be aged 18 or over, be a UK resident, pay in £1,250 each calendar month to an eligible NatWest personal current account and meet NatWest’s Reward account rules.

For the Student account, you’ll need to be aged 17 or over and meet NatWest’s student account criteria. The student overdraft is only available to customers aged 18 or over and is subject to status.

For the Adapt account, customers must be aged 11 to 17. NatWest also offers Rooster Money for children and teens aged 3 to 17, although fees and charges may apply.

Some accounts and features, including arranged overdrafts, packaged accounts and Premier accounts, have extra eligibility criteria and may require credit checks or existing NatWest customer status.

What overdraft options does NatWest offer?

The overdraft limit you get will generally depend on your circumstances, including your credit rating, income and NatWest’s affordability checks.

Arranged overdraft

NatWest offers arranged overdrafts on selected current accounts, subject to eligibility and approval. An arranged overdraft lets you borrow up to an agreed limit through your current account. NatWest says it runs a full credit check when you apply and charges interest on both arranged and unarranged overdrafts.

Student overdraft

Eligible students can apply for an interest-free overdraft. NatWest says students can get up to £2,000 from year one, limited to £500 in term one of year one, and can apply for up to £3,250 interest-free from year three onwards.

Graduate overdraft

NatWest also offers graduate overdrafts. Graduates can apply for up to £3,250 in the first year after graduation, with the interest-free buffer reducing to £2,250 in year two and £1,250 in year three.

Overdrafts are repayable on demand and are intended for short-term borrowing, so it’s important to check the cost before applying.

Can I switch to a Natwest current account?

Yes, you can switch to NatWest using the Current Account Switch Service.

The service moves your balance, Direct Debits, standing orders and regular payments from your old current account to your new one. NatWest says the switch takes seven working days, and you can request a switch during your application.

NatWest sometimes offers switching incentives on selected accounts. Its current pages mention a £200 switch offer on Select and Reward accounts, subject to terms, restrictions and availability.

Before switching, it’s worth checking that the NatWest account you choose has the features you need, especially if you rely on an overdraft, packaged benefits, branch access or student account perks.

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How do I open a NatWest current account?

Before opening a NatWest current account, it’s worth comparing it with other current accounts to make sure it suits the way you manage your money.

With MoneySuperMarket, you can compare current accounts from a range of providers and look at features such as monthly fees, overdraft options, rewards, switching incentives, app-based banking tools, packaged account benefits and student account options.

Once you’ve compared your options, you can choose the account that best matches your needs — whether that’s a fee-free everyday account, a reward account, a packaged account with insurance benefits, a student account or an account with an arranged overdraft.

Comparing current accounts can help you understand what’s available before you apply, so you can feel more confident you’re choosing the right account for your everyday banking.

Current accounts