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Community bank account

Do more with a Community bank account

We’re championing the power of community 

What is a not-for-profit bank account?

A Community bank account is designed to meet the needs of charities, clubs and societies. We've designed our Community account to be useful, simple, and easy to understand. So you can spend more time focusing on doing what really matters.

Want to see our other business current accounts? See the range.

An everyday account for charities, clubs and societies

Access award-winning* online accounting software for free for as long as you retain your business current account (optional add-ons may be chargeable).

Digitally sign payments and account changes with other members of your group through Bankline for Communities (available for free for Community account customers with a turnover up to £100k with a minimum of 2 and up to 4 signatories).

24/7 Online Banking and phone banking

Bank anywhere with our mobile banking app

*Friendliest Software of the Year, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Luca Awards 2024.

Eligibility criteria and terms apply. Click apply now for more information. The app is available with compatible IOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. 

Before you apply...

To open a Community bank account, you’ll need the personal details of all of the partners, members or directors of the business (including their home addresses for the last 3 years). You’ll also need your business details, including your company’s registration number (provided by Companies House) if you’re a limited company. All the details are in the "Apply now" section, which will help you to prepare.

You can apply for free banking if you're an existing NatWest personal or business banking customer*, and your Community account's annual credit turnover is less than £100,000**.

* At least one of the parties named in the application must be an existing NatWest customer - if there is no existing NatWest relationship your application will be declined.
** If your turnover exceeds £100k, your account will be moved onto our Standard Tariff. Fees & charges apply.

Free banking on everyday transactions is subject to status. It means the charges for day to day running of your account (known as your service charges) won’t apply. Charges for unarranged overdrafts, Bankline for communities, international payments and any additional services are not part of the free banking offer. Subject to the terms and conditions of the account, we’ll always give you at least 60 days notice of any changes to the service charge tariff that will apply to your account before you start to incur charges.

Apply for our Community bank account

Got 10 minutes to fill in your application? Lets get started.

Continue

Great, first let's check if you're eligible to apply.

  • You're aged 18 or over.
  • You're the owner or director of the business you’re applying on behalf of.
  • At least one person on the application must be a UK resident.
  • Your business must be registered for income tax or corporation tax purposes in the UK.
  • You haven't been declared bankrupt or received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) or Court Decree.
  • If your business turnover is over £2m, we'll ask you to provide evidence of this.

Important information

 

Business Account Terms (PDF, 255 KB)

Business Account Charges Booklet (PDF, 70 KB)

Financial Services Compensation Scheme Guide (PDF, 45 KB)

 

Important things to consider before applying

 

 

Consider which account you need

 

During your application, you'll have to select the type of account you'll need:

  • a Business Current Account - used for the day to day running of your business, OR
  • a Loan Servicing Account - used ONLY for loan repayment purposes. You'll need this if you have a loan with us, but not your current account(s). 

Should you select the incorrect account, you will need to reapply choosing the correct option.

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Which are you?
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OK, so you're an existing customer. Is the bank account for...
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Which statement best describes your organisation?
If your business turnover is over £2m, we'll ask to see evidence of this.
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You can apply online

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

 

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

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You can apply online

We'll ask to see evidence that your annual turnover is more than £2m. If you cannot provide this or you’ve been trading less than a year, go back and select the other option.

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

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Do you have a Relationship Manager?
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Call your Relationship Manager

You should have a direct number for them. You can discuss applying for an additional business account. They can start the application for you and arrange to get the appropriate signatures.


When can I call?

Business and Relationship Managers are available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

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No problem, we can still help.

You can use the form below to open an additional account.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 711 4477, or use the Relay UK Service: 18001 0345 711 4477.

More information on accessibility.

Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes. To see how much your call might cost, visit the call charge information page.

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Additional account opening form
Which statement best describes your organisation?
If your business turnover is over £2m, we'll ask to see evidence of this.
Previous
Next

You can apply online

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

 

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

Previous

You can apply online

We'll ask to see evidence that your annual turnover is more than £2m. If you cannot provide this or you’ve been trading less than a year, go back and select the other option.

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

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Already started an application?

Log in to continue or check the status of your application in our online application centre.

You can use the same details you created when you applied for your community account. If you haven’t already set up access to your online application centre, you can create a login now.

Due to increasingly high demand for our accounts, there could be a delay in opening your account. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this might cause you.

Switch to NW

Free banking on everyday transactions for 2 years when you switch to us

If you've got an annual turnover of up to £2m and switch your business account to us using the full Current Account Switch Service, we'll give you 2 years of free banking on everyday transactions.

Everything will be moved across from your old account to your new account for you, all within 7 working days, including Direct Debits and Standing Orders.

Switch offer is not available to customers switching a Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account to NatWest. Not currently available for Mettle accounts.

Current Account Switch Guarantee (PDF, 40 KB)

Your Guide to switching your account to us (PDF, 2.3 MB)

How does switching work? Open in new window

Free banking means the charges for the day to day running of your account (known as your service charges) won’t apply during the free banking period. Charges for unarranged overdrafts, Bankline, international payments and any additional services are not part of the free banking offer. At the end of the free banking period, you’ll be automatically moved to the Standard Tariff. Not currently available for Mettle accounts.

Circle Kinetic Illustration NW

Managing your Community account has never been easier

Visit our servicing hub for instant access to managing your business accounts, loans, credit cards and any other business service you have from NatWest. 

Manage my business finances Open in new window

Community cash flow support

From time to time, you may need more than a bank account to manage your cash flow. Here are some other ways we could support your charity, club or community organisation.

Loans and finance options

Explore options based on your size, your needs, and your goals.

Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Subject to Status. Eligibility criteria apply.

See your options

Information Message

Business credit card

No annual fee for the first year (normally £30). Plus, you can manage your account with the ClearSpend app*.


Eligibility criteria apply. Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Subject to Status.

Our credit card features

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The flexibility of an overdraft

Our business overdraft helps you prepare for the unexpected. You’ll only pay interest on what you borrow.

Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Subject to Status. Eligibility criteria apply.

Find out about overdrafts

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Business savings accounts

Make your money work as hard as you do with a Business Savings account. As an example, our Liquidity Manager 95-day Notice Account has an interest rate of 3.75% AER, 3.69% Gross p.a. (variable).

Eligibility criteria apply. Interest rates are subject to variation. Early withdrawals from the Liquidity Manager Notice Accounts are not permitted. Interest calculated daily and applied on the last business day of each month.

View all business savings accounts

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Get to know Bankline for Communities

Managing your money has never been this straightforward. With Bankline for Communities, you can set up multiple users and digitally sign payments together – just like co-signing a cheque!

If you have a Community bank account, a minimum of 2 and up to 4 signatories and an annual turnover less than £100,000, you're eligible for Bankline for Communities.

  • Manage money safely together
  • Secure access and clever controls to keep your accounts safe
  • Raise and approve payments as a team with dual control
  • View all your balances and transactions online at any time
  • Easily add and manage users in your group
  • Zero fees – no extra fees to those associated with your business current account.

Interested? Learn more about Bankline for Communites.

Questions about this account?

Need more information before you apply?

Info about charges

If you’re a not-for-profit organisation, we’ll offer you free banking as long as your annual credit turnover doesn’t exceed £100,000. This means you won’t be charged a service charge as long as your organisation remains eligible. We’ll monitor your turnover and if we identify that you’ve exceeded £100,000 in any 12-month period, we will contact you to tell you that you’ll start to incur fees at the Standard Tariff listed for your everyday transactions.

Business Account Charges Booklet (PDF, 70 KB)

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Your money is protected

Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of NatWest are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. Any deposits you hold above the limit are unlikely to be covered.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme Guide (PDF, 45 KB)

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Business account terms

Read our Business account terms document.

Business Account Terms (PDF, 255 KB)

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