Common questions

Help and advice about banking with NatWest

Payments

Getting started

How it works

Extra benefit

Switching to us

Payments

What’s a Direct Debit?

A Direct Debit is a way of paying an organisation at regular intervals without you having to do anything – other than make sure the money is in your account.

You can pay the same amount or different amounts each time. Direct Debits are a convenient way to pay things like gas, electricity and telephone bills.

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How do I set up a Direct Debit?

You set up a Direct Debit with the organisation you want to pay. They’ll give you a form which you need to complete and return. They send the form on to us and we do the rest.

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What’s a standing order?

A standing order is a way of paying someone at regular intervals without you having to do anything – other than make sure the money is in your account.

Standing orders are always for a fixed amount. If the amount changes each time, you’ll need to set up a Direct Debit instead.

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How do I set up a standing order?

You can set up a standing order either of two ways:

  • by completing the standing order form, which you get from whoever you want to pay.
  • by telling us directly - online or by telephone banking

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What does cleared daily balance mean?

Your cleared daily balance is the amount in your account, not including anything you've paid in or any cheques you've written that haven't yet been 'cleared'.

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What do cleared and uncleared mean?

When you write someone a cheque, you are promising to pay them an agreed amount. When they pay the cheque in, the amount is 'uncleared' because the money is still in your account. The cheque then goes through the banking system and arrives at your branch. As long as you have enough money in your account, the cheque is then 'cleared'.

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What’s an unpaid cheque?

When someone writes you a cheque, they are promising to pay you an agreed amount. After you pay the cheque in, the cheque goes through the banking system and arrives at the branch where the person has their account. If they don't have enough money in their account, the cheque cannot be 'cleared' so it comes back to your branch 'unpaid'.

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Getting Started

How do I apply for a NatWest current account?

You can choose your account and see our apply details online

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Which current account is best for me?

We offer a whole range of current accounts to meet different needs and lifestyles - basic no-frills accounts, accounts with an overdraft, extra benefits accounts, accounts for young people and accounts for children.

Find out more about our range of current accounts

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I’ve applied for a current account. What happens next?

If we accept your application, you’ll receive an application pack in the post. Simply check the information is correct, then sign and return the application form. You’ll also need to send us any documents we may have asked for, using the pre-paid envelope.

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I’ve signed and returned my current account application form. What happens now?

As soon as we receive your signed application and any documents we may have asked for, we’ll complete our final checks and send you confirmation of your new account details. Shortly afterwards we’ll send you your card and PIN, then your account welcome pack.

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I need to change some details on my current account application form. How should I do this?

Simply cross out what’s wrong and write in the correct details. Add your initials to any changes and return the application in the pre-paid envelope. As we’ll need to re-process your application, we may need to carry out a new credit reference search.

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I’d like to change the type of current account I applied for. How do I do this?

Unfortunately you’ll need to start again with a fresh application, as different terms and conditions may apply. As we’ll need to re-process your application, we may need to carry out a new credit reference search.

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What ID do I need to show before I can open a current account?

We usually ask to see something that proves who you are and confirms where you live. We’ll let you know exactly what documents you need when we write to you. They must be originals, not photocopies, and if you’re applying for a joint account, we’ll need documents for both of you.

See the full list of documents for proof of identity and confirmation of address

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I already have a NatWest account. Why do I need to show ID again?

We have to do this by law when you apply to open a new account. It also helps protect you and us against fraud.

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How it works

What do I need to do to get a new chequebook?

Nothing – we’ll send you one automatically as you come to the end of your current chequebook. If it hasn’t arrived before your old book runs out, drop into your local branch or call our telephone banking service on 01534 282850.

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How long does it take for a cheque to clear?

You’ll normally need to wait four working days after paying the cheque in - for example, if you pay a cheque in on Monday, it will usually clear by Friday - but it's best to wait five working days. This is because a cheque can sometimes be returned ‘unpaid’ – usually because the person who wrote the cheque doesn’t have enough money in their account.

If you pay a cheque in before 3.30pm, you can count that day as one of the four working days, but if it was after 3.30pm or on a Saturday, the four days start from the next working day.

If you pay a cheque in at a Post Office or somewhere other than a bank, it can take an extra day or two.

These timings are for sterling cheques. For foreign currency cheques, ask at your branch.

For more information, see What do cleared and uncleared mean?

See also Is there any way to find out early if a cheque has cleared?

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How soon after paying a cheque into my account can I use the money?

You can usually use the money on a cheque paid into your account on the fifth working day after it was paid in (as long as it was before 3.30pm). For example, if you pay a cheque in on Monday, you can use the money on Friday. However, you may be able to use the money earlier at our discretion. Ask at your branch.

See also How long does it take for a cheque to clear?

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Is there any way to find out early if a cheque has cleared?

Yes. We can do this as a special service – for a small charge. Ask at your branch.

This can be useful if you’re selling something and need to know the money is there before you let the goods go.

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When can I make use of cash I pay into my account?

As long as you pay it into a NatWest branch before 3.30pm on a weekday, you can usually use it the same day.

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Which cash machines can I use without paying a fee?

You won’t pay a fee for drawing cash from your current account at any of our cash machines. Nor, usually, from any other UK bank’s cash machine. If there is a charge, you’ll be told this on the screen before you take out your money, so you won’t have to go ahead if you don’t want to.

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How can I draw cash from my current account other than using a cash machine?

Many supermarkets and other retail outlets let you take ‘cashback’ at their check-outs or sales desks – usually there’s no fee. Then there’s the good old-fashioned way – call into your NatWest branch and show your debit card or write a cheque.

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How can I pay money into my current account?

You can pay cheques or cash in over the counter at any of our branches.

Of course, if you’re registered for Internet Banking, you can also transfer money between accounts online.

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Can I pay into my current account at another bank?

Yes – you can pay cheques and cash into your NatWest account at any other bank, but some may charge you, so always ask first.

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When do I receive interest on my current account?

As long as you’re not overdrawn, we add interest to your account every month.

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How do you work out the interest on my current account?

You earn interest on what we call your ‘cleared daily balance’. This is the amount in your account at the end of each day.

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How do I change the PIN for my debit card?

You can change your PIN at any NatWest or Isle of Man Bank cash machine. Simply insert your card and follow the on-screen instructions.

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What happens if I enter the wrong PIN for my debit card when I’m buying something?

If you enter the wrong PIN three times in a row, the retailer’s machine will lock your PIN and you won’t be able to use your card. This is a safety feature and will happen even if you enter the number incorrectly in three different places.

If you remember your PIN later, you can unlock your pin at any NatWest or Isle of Man Bank cash machine. Select ‘Account Services’ then ‘Unlock PIN’. If the unlocking is successful, a message will appear on screen. If not, contact your branch.

Not sure of your PIN? Don’t guess – call us in 01534 282850.

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I’ve forgotten the PIN for my debit card. What should I do?

Either go along to any NatWest branch or call us 01534 282850.

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I’ve lost my debit card or had it stolen. What should I do?

Call us right away on 01534 620050. We'll cancel your card and send you a replacement.

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How can I check the balance of my current account?

You can check your balance at a cash machine or at any NatWest branch.

You can check online if you’re registered for Internet Banking

Or you can check by phone if you’re registered for telephone banking

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How can I keep track of my current account in between statements?

You can check your balance, see recent transactions or order a statement at a cash machine. But if you want to check other things, such as when payments are due, the best way is to register for Internet Banking or telephone banking

And of course, you can always call in at any NatWest branch.

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Extra benefit

What are Extra benefit current accounts?

These are current accounts with a difference - you pay a monthly fee and in return you get a range of extras and benefits. Read more on Advantage International and Advantage Cheque

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Switching to us

How do I move my bank account to NatWest?

It’s easier than you might think. We have a dedicated team on hand to help. We’ll take care of setting up any regular payments on your new account and cancelling them on your old one. We’ll even give you letters to pass on to your bank letting them know about the switch and to your employer telling them your new bank details.

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I have standing orders with my old bank. Will I have to set them up again when I switch?

No - you can leave that to us. We’ll tell your old bank to cancel any standing orders or Direct Debits you have, then we’ll set them up again on your NatWest account.

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Do I have I tell my old bank that I’m switching to you or will you tell them?

We like to make things as easy as possible, so we’ll give you a letter to pass on to your bank telling them you’re switching to NatWest and asking them to cancel all payments, close your account and transfer the balance to us.

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How long does it take to switch my bank account to NatWest?

Between two and four weeks. Read More on what happens when you switch to NatWest

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Will I need ID to switch my bank account to NatWest?

Yes - we usually ask to see something that proves who you are and confirms where you live. We’ll let you know exactly what documents you need when we write to you. They must be originals, not photocopies, and if you’re applying for a joint account, we’ll need documents for both of you.

See the full list of documents for proof of identity and confirmation of address

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Can I check my Direct Debits and standing orders before you set them up on my new current account?

Yes - but this may increase the changeover time by up to three weeks. Here’s how it works: We’ll send you a list of the payments set up on your old account for you to check. You’ll need to tell us within 10 days which you want to keep and when you want them paid. If we don’t hear from you within the 10 days, we’ll set up all your payments exactly as they are on your old account and advise your old bank to cancel them.

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If I switch my current account to NatWest, can I have the same overdraft as I have now?

We're happy to look at matching your existing overdraft, as long as you pay your main source of income into your new NatWest account. Even better, any agreed overdraft is interest-free for six months.

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