NatWest savings rates — compare every account, plus switch offers and guides

Who they are

NatWest is one of the Big Four clearing banks in the UK, with a large network of over 526 branches and 5,500 cash machines across Great Britain and Ireland. Its roots stretch back to 1658, with its oldest direct corporate ancestor, National Provincial Bank, formed in 1833. The bank as most people know it today was established in 1968 after the merger of National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank.

Between 2008 and 2025, the UK government held a significant stake in NatWest Group following a £45 billion bailout, at one point owning 84%. The bank returned to full private ownership on 30 May 2025 after 17 years. As of 2025, it serves around 19 million customers. NatWest Group also operates the Royal Bank of Scotland brand in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland it operates through the Ulster Bank brand. It is worth knowing that NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland share a banking licence under NatWest Group, so FSCS protection is shared across those two brands.

Savings accounts

NatWest's strongest savings product for existing current account holders is the Digital Regular Saver, currently paying 5.25% AER variable on balances from £1. That is a genuinely competitive rate for a regular saver, though you need to bear in mind you are drip-feeding money in each month rather than depositing a lump sum.

For easy access, the Defined Access Saver pays 2.50% and the Flexible Saver pays 2.10% - both variable and available from £1. These are significantly below the best easy access rates on the market, so they suit savers who value keeping everything under one roof more than chasing the top rate.

If you want to lock money away, the Fixed Term Savings 2 Year pays 4.75% and the 1 Year pays 4.15%, both with no minimum balance. On the ISA side, the Fixed Rate ISA 1 Year and 2 Year both pay 4.25% (minimum £1,000), while the instant access Cash ISA pays 2.45%. There is also a Stocks and Shares ISA, where investments are protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS and uninvested cash up to £120,000. For younger savers, the First Saver pays 1.60% variable and is worth checking for under-16s.

All deposit savings accounts carry FSCS protection up to £120,000 - higher than the standard £85,000 limit that applies to most banks.

Switching to NatWest

NatWest currently offers a £200 cash bonus for switching to its Select Account, Reward Account, or eligible Premier accounts using the Current Account Switch Service. To qualify, you need to deposit £1,250 and log in to the NatWest mobile app within 60 days of your switch completing.

The Reward Account adds an ongoing cashback element - pay in £1,250 or more and maintain at least two direct debits of £2 or more each month, and you can earn £5 cashback per month. After the £2 monthly fee, that works out as a net gain of £36 per year. For some people that stacks up nicely; for others, a fee-free account elsewhere will be simpler.

The Digital Regular Saver at 5.25% is linked to all three switch offers, so switching can unlock that rate at the same time.

Is it right for you?

NatWest makes most sense if you already bank there and want to consolidate savings in one place, particularly to access the Digital Regular Saver rate. Its fixed rate bonds are reasonably competitive, and the £200 switch bonus is one of the more straightforward deals on the high street right now.

Where it falls short is on easy access savings, where the headline rates trail the best challenger bank and cash ISA rates by a notable margin. Customer service reviews are mixed - branch access and individual staff get praise, but digital support and phone waiting times draw regular criticism.

As always, the live rates shown on this page are the most up-to-date figures - check them before you apply, as savings rates can and do change.