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Bank accounts

Our basic Foundation bank account

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Account summary

Product features

How to apply online

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Foundation could be the right option for you

If you aren't eligible for one of our other bank accounts, then the Foundation account may be the right option or you. It’s a basic account designed to help you manage your money.

Some of the features of our Foundation Account include:

No monthly fee
Check your account 24/7
Visa Debit card
Use of our Mobile Banking app

You can't apply directly for the Foundation current account. We may offer it to you if we think it might be more suitable during an application for one of our other accounts.

The best way to proceed if you want a simple bank account is to apply for our Select bank account, which also has no monthly fee, and has an option to apply for an Arranged Overdraft. It also comes with a contactless debit card.
You may be successful in your Select application, or if we think Foundation would be more suitable, then we will offer this to you during the application process.

Product features…

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Everyday support

You can set up text alerts and manage Direct Debits in a convenient way to pay for household bills or memberships to gyms etc.

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Everyday support in detail

What are text alerts?

Text alerts are a really useful way of keeping tabs on your money. You can get a text alert to let you know when your balance is about to go below a certain limit, or to let you know what your balance is at a specific time. You can set them up when you fill in the online application form or in our Mobile Banking app.

Mobile Banking app

Our Mobile Banking app is available to Online Banking customers with a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.

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Mobile Banking app in detail

Log in with your fingerprint on selected Apple and Android devices– it’s simple, secure and fast.

View, cancel and amend your regular payments – so you manage your bills where and when it suits you. Limits apply.

Easily pay family and friends using their mobile number – Pay Your Contacts is quick and easy (as long as they have our mobile app or are registered for Paym) and they’ll get the money instantly. Limits apply.

Get cash without your card – Ideal if you’ve left your card at home. Simply go to any NatWest or Tesco cash machine and follow the steps in the app. You can withdraw up to £130 every 24 hours.

That’s only half the story. Find out what else you can do with our award-winning app.

More about our Mobile Banking app

24/7 banking

Access your account wherever, whenever.

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24/7 banking in detail

Because we all lead busy lives, we've made it easy for you to access your account whenever it suits you, through our Online Banking or our Mobile Banking app. Alternatively call one of our UK call centres, available 24 hours a day.

Visa Debit card

Make purchases. Withdraw cash.

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Visa Debit card in detail

Use your Visa Debit card to pay for purchases in shops and online, travel, meals out, coffees etc. You must have the money available in your account before using your card.

Emergency Cash

If your debit card is lost or stolen, our Emergency Cash service makes sure you can get your money from our cash machines or ATMs (Limits apply).

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Emergency Cash in detail

How does it work?

Just call us and we’ll send you a code that lets you withdraw the cash you need.

If you’re an online or telephone banking customer, you can access up to £300.

If you’re not registered for these services, you can still get £60 to tide you over.

What you need to know

You will need to have the money in your account in the first place to withdraw it. You'll need at least £20 in your account to use the Emergency Cash service.

Keeping your money safe

When you call us, so we know it’s you, we’ll ask some security questions. We’ll then provide you with a code that allows you to withdraw your money from any NatWest cash machine.

Why the Foundation account is more suitable for some customers

If you've encountered difficulties with money before, you may not be eligible for a number of our bank accounts.

However, you might be offered the Foundation account if:

You have little or no credit history
You’re going through bankruptcy
You give us incomplete or inaccurate information when you apply
You have a low credit score

We know that managing personal finances can be difficult, and improving your credit score is not always easy.

If you're concerned about your finances, you may wish to seek advice from a financial professional, while sites like the MoneyAdviceService can also be a great source of impartial help.

Overdraft details

How do overdrafts work?

An arranged overdraft can be useful for short term borrowing. Understand arranged and unarranged overdrafts and their impact on your account. An overdraft is a form of borrowing and is repayable on demand.

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How overdrafts work - details

There are two different types of overdraft:

An arranged overdraft, which allows you to go overdrawn up to an agreed limit. This is the type of overdraft you could apply for here. During your application for an arranged overdraft, we'll run a full credit check to determine how much we can offer you.
An unarranged overdraft. This is when you spend more money than you have in your current account without already having an arranged overdraft, or when you exceed your current arranged overdraft limit.

We charge interest on both types of overdraft. Going in to an unarranged overdraft limit can lead to payments being rejected.

More about Overdrafts

How much will an overdraft cost?

Understand the cost and impact of overdrafts and whether you're eligible to apply for one. If you don't repay what is owed, you could harm your credit score and borrowing capability.

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How much does my overdraft cost in pounds and pence?

This account offers an Overdraft facility (subject to eligibility). You can check if you're likely to be accepted for an overdraft using our eligibility tool.

As an example, the interest cost of using a £500 arranged overdraft is:

Time Period	7 days	30 days	60 days
Interest Cost	£3.24	£13.87	£28.13

This is a specific illustrative example representing the interest cost of using a £500 arranged overdraft over periods of 7, 30 and 60 days.

Looking to understand the costs of an overdraft of more or less than £500 over different periods of time? Use our handy cost calculator.

If you don't pay it back, it could have an impact on your credit score.

Representative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200.

Frequently asked questions

Does my credit score impact my application for a Foundation account?

What does having a low credit score mean?

To work out your credit score, we look at:

Information you give us when you apply
Information from credit reference agencies
Your account history with us

We give you points for each bit of relevant information, and then add them up to get to your credit score.

For more details on what credit scoring is, how to get information about your credit score, and how we make our credit decisions, take a look at our guide to credit scoring.

How can I manage my money better?

Open a bank account online

Apply online

You’ll be applying for the Select account, and if you’re not eligible we’ll offer you the Foundation account. We'll ask for your information such as address, job etc. Have these ready.

Upload your ID

At the end of your application we might ask you to provide photo ID, proof of address and take a selfie. We'll then check your details with our security partners HooYu or Digidocs.

Proof of ID and address we accept

We'll check your details

We'll check we have everything needed to open your account. Keep an eye out for our welcome email.

Start using your new account

Your new account is open. Register for Online banking, download our mobile app and enjoy hassle free banking.

Get ready to apply

Before you apply, we need to check you're happy with a few things. And ask you a few questions up front. Then we can make your application as quick and simple as it can be.

First things first. You can apply for a Select account if you:

are aged 18 or over and a UK resident

During your application, we'll make it clear if you don't meet the criteria for a Select account, and you will then be offered a Foundation account. If we don't mention the Foundation account, you can continue with your application for a Select bank account.

Now please take a look at the important legal info

If you carry on applying, it means you're happy with what's in these documents, including the FSCS information sheet. And happy to view your statements in Online Banking - not posted. Please take some time to review, print and/or save the important information.

Your Current Account Terms (28 pages)

Financial Service Compensation Scheme Sheet (1 page)

Fee Information Document (20 pages)

What You Need To Know (2 pages)

Our Lending Commitments (4 pages)

How your information might be used

It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read this short summary before you continue with your application.

All okay? You’re nearly ready to start.

To speed up your application for our Select account, we need to do a few final checks with you. They'll only take a minute.

Continue

What kind of account do you want?

Sole account

Joint account

You're all set

Depending on what ID we need to see, we may ask you for:

A selfie
Photo ID, such as Drivers licence, Passport or EU ID card
Proof of your address, such as a utility bill or bank statement

Don't worry, if you don't have these with you when you're applying you can choose to do this later.

You're all set

Depending on what ID we need to see, we may ask you for:

Photo ID, such as Drivers licence, Passport or EU ID card
Proof of your address, such as a utility bill or bank statement

Look out for an email and text after you have applied from our security partners, DigiDocs. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check.