NatWest Business

What NatWest Business does

NatWest Business is the business banking division of National Westminster Bank plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NatWest Group plc (LSE: NWG), and serves UK businesses from start-ups through large corporates. Its product portfolio spans business current and savings accounts (including the Mettle mobile-first sub-brand), lending (overdrafts, term loans up to 25 years, commercial mortgages, asset finance via Lombard, invoice finance, Growth Guarantee Scheme), trade finance (letters of credit, bonds and guarantees, documentary collections via the MaxTrad online platform), cards (debit, credit, business plus, onecard, virtual), and payment services (Tyl card acquiring with Tap to Pay, NatWest Payit open-banking acceptance, Autopay Online direct debits). Integrated ecosystem tools include FreeAgent accounting software (free for account holders), ClearSpend expense management, Business Builder learning platform, MentorDigital HR tools, and Cushon workplace pensions.

The underlying technology stack combines web and mobile banking, the Bankline corporate platform with dedicated mobile companion, and partner integrations across payments, accounting, HR, and pensions. Distribution is hybrid: UK-wide branch network plus Post Office cash access for physical service, relationship managers for customers above £500,000 turnover, and self-serve digital channels for SMBs and start-ups. Marketing channels include content (Business Insights Hub), events (Accelerator programmes, webinars), and partnerships with FSB, the UK Government's Help to Grow Campaign, and Black Seed Ventures for under-represented founders.

Revenue is generated through net interest income on lending and deposits, transaction fees on cards, trade finance, and Tyl acquiring, subscription/usage fees on Cash Flow Forecasting and Intelligent Safe, and referral income from insurance, HR, and pension partners. NatWest Business previously operated as RBS Business Banking; the 2020 rebrand of parent RBS Group to NatWest Group consolidated the NatWest identity across personal, business, and corporate segments. Award recognition includes 2025 Business Start-up Bank of the Year at the Business Moneyfacts Awards.

Name

NatWest Business

Legal name

National Westminster Bank plc

Website

https://business.natwest.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

NatWest Business is the UK business banking division of National Westminster Bank plc (part of NatWest Group plc, LSE: NWG), providing accounts, lending, payments, trade finance, and integrated ecosystem tools to UK businesses from start-ups to large corporates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Commercial Banking (522110), Sales Financing (52222), Offices of Bank Holding Companies (551111)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Finance Lessors (6172)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Cards & Expense Solutions (T&E, purchasing, fleet) (FSABAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Cash Management & Treasury ACH (FSAMAGAG), Corporate Cash Management & Treasury Services (FSAMAOAA), Technology, Software & IT Services (FSABACAJ)

Keywords

• Commercial banking services
• Business lending products
• Trade finance solutions
• Payment processing services
• Corporate banking platform

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Banking Services: Revenue from business current and savings accounts, including account maintenance fees, transaction fees, and interest earned on deposits and lending
2. Business Lending: Interest income from small business loans, commercial mortgages, asset finance, invoice finance, and business overdrafts with terms up to 25 years
3. Trade Finance: Fees from letters of credit, bonds and guarantees, documentary collections, and trade loans for international trading
4. Card Services: Revenue from business credit cards, debit cards, virtual card solutions, and associated transaction fees
5. Business Services: Fees from payment services (Tyl), business insurance referrals, HR and health & safety tools (MentorDigital), and workplace pensions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NatWest Business provides UK businesses with a comprehensive suite of banking products including current and savings accounts, business loans, commercial mortgages, asset finance, trade finance, and corporate banking through Bankline. It complements core banking with card payment processing via Tyl, integrated accounting through FreeAgent, expense management via ClearSpend, and digital channels (online and mobile banking). It serves customers ranging from start-ups and sole traders to large corporates, with dedicated relationship managers for businesses with turnover above £500,000.

Product overview

NatWest Business is a comprehensive commercial banking platform offering a full suite of business financial services. The portfolio includes core banking products (business current and savings accounts, including digital sub-brands like Mettle for startups), lending solutions (loans, overdrafts, commercial mortgages, asset finance, trade finance), payment services (Tyl card processing, NatWest Payit, Autopay, Bankline corporate platform), and integrated business tools (FreeAgent accounting software, Business Builder learning platform, MentorDigital HR tools, ClearSpend expense management). The NatWest Accelerator and Venture Banking programs support startups and high-growth businesses. Services span from basic business accounts through to sophisticated corporate banking via Bankline, with digital-first options (mobile banking, virtual cards) complementing traditional branch and relationship-manager services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mettle by NatWest: Mobile-first business bank account designed for start-ups and sole traders, offering free banking with no monthly fees
• Tyl
• Business Builder
• FreeAgent
• ClearSpend
• Bankline
• NatWest Accelerator
• Black Seed Ventures
• NatWest Venture Banking

Products and services

• Business Bank Accounts
• Mettle by NatWest
• Business Loans and Finance
• Commercial Mortgages
• Asset Finance
• Business Credit Cards
• Business Debit Cards
• Trade Finance
• Tyl Payment Services
• NatWest Payit
• Bankline
• ClearSpend
• FreeAgent
• Business Builder
• NatWest Accelerator
• Venture Banking
• Business Insurance

Quantifiable outcome

• Winner of 2025 Business Start-up Bank of the Year at Business Moneyfacts Awards 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• TylcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTyl is NatWest's payment processing partner providing card payment services for business customers including Tap to Pay functionality. Tyl enables merchants to accept card payments through NatWest's banking network.
• FreeAgentcoreTechnology or IntegrationFreeAgent accounting software is included free with NatWest business bank accounts for as long as the account is retained. Provides automated bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax management integration.
• MentorDigitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHR and health & safety support tools offered as a business service through NatWest, providing compliance and personnel management resources.
• CushonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace pensions provider partnered with NatWest to offer pension solutions to business customers.
• LombardcoreTechnology or IntegrationLombard handles asset finance services for NatWest business customers, including hire purchase, contract hire, and leasing options for business assets.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with FSB providing expert and mentor programs, networking opportunities, and support resources for small business owners through the Experts and Mentors initiative.
• Black Seed VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenture program supporting ethnic minority businesses with funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities as part of NatWest's commitment to supporting ethnic minority entrepreneurs.
• Help to Grow CampaignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUK Government initiative (helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk) partnered with NatWest to provide business growth support and tools for small business owners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Tide: Digital-first UK business banking challenger targeting the same startup and SMB segments as Mettle, offering mobile-first accounts with integrated invoicing, accounting, and expense tools.
• Starling Bank Business: Digital-only UK challenger with a competitive business current account and lending proposition serving sole traders, SMBs, and larger SMEs — directly overlapping NatWest's startup and small business footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Shawbrook Bank: UK specialist challenger bank focused on SME lending, commercial mortgages, and asset finance — directly comparable to NatWest's commercial mortgage and Lombard asset finance books.
• Crown Agents Bank: UK-regulated specialist bank providing trade finance, FX, and cross-border payments to corporates and development organisations — relevant peer on trade finance capability.

Direct peers

• HSBC UK Business Banking: Direct competitor offering business current accounts, lending, cards, and international trade finance to UK SMEs and corporates, with strong global trade capability analogous to NatWest's MaxTrad service.
• Barclays Business Banking: Major UK high-street bank offering a comparable full-spectrum business banking proposition to UK SMEs, mid-market, and corporates, including accounts, lending, cards, and trade finance.
• Santander UK Business Banking: UK clearing bank offering business current accounts, lending, asset finance, and international trade services to SMEs and mid-market clients with a comparable relationship-managed model.
• Lloyds Bank Business Banking: UK high-street bank serving SMEs and commercial clients with business accounts, overdrafts, loans, and commercial mortgages — competing head-to-head with NatWest across similar segments and channels.

Regional players

• Metro Bank Business Banking: UK-focused community-oriented bank with physical branches and a growing business banking offering; competes for UK SME deposits and lending in geographies where its footprint overlaps with NatWest.
• Allied Irish Bank (GB) Business Banking: UK commercial banking operation offering business current accounts, lending, and treasury services to SMEs and mid-market corporates, providing another reference point for UK business banking economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NatWestBusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natwest-business

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NatWest Business