The bank account built for the self-employed

Mettle is a digital bank account by NatWest built for the self-employed and small businesses.

As a customer, you can apply for an account in minutes, and create and send customised invoices – all from your phone.

The account comes with a UK account number and sort code and an in-app chat feature so you can speak to a real person when you need help.

Mettle includes easy-to-use bookkeeping and tax-related tools, as well as its unique integration with FreeAgent accounting software, offering free access and savings of up to £150 a year.*

You can also use other accounting software including Quickbooks and Xero to connect to your account and help keep track of your books.

Mettle is built on separate systems with different technology, so you can't go into a NatWest branch, phone us or use online banking to open or discuss your account.

* Based on FreeAgent's lowest tariff. To get FreeAgent included, you need to make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. If you don’t, or if your Mettle account is closed and you continue to use FreeAgent, then FreeAgent fees will apply. Optional add-ons may be chargeable.

To open a Mettle account, you’ll need to be a sole trader or a limited company with up to two owners.

You’ll also need to be a UK-based company with owners that are UK residents.

Mettle is available through the App Store and Play Store on compatible devices.

It only takes a few minutes to apply.

To get started, go to the “Apply now” section at the bottom of the page and check whether Mettle might be suitable for you. You will then be directed to the Mettle website or the App Store or Play Store to download the app.

The Mettle bank account is provided by National Westminster Bank plc trading as Mettle. It is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This means that eligible deposits are protected up to £85,000.

National Westminster Bank plc has its registered office at: 250 Bishopsgate, London, United Kingdom EC2M 4AA.

Mettle is free to open and has no transaction fees. We'll give you plenty of notice if this changes. 

Mettle also offers Mettle+, an optional paid-for quotes feature.

Not at the moment. But we do have plans to offer a current account switching service in the future. You can still apply for a Mettle account now, you'll just need to manually transfer any direct debits etc. yourself. 

All payments sent from your account are Faster Payments. You can only make payments to UK accounts.

You can also make card payments as long as they remain within your daily limit of £10,000. Check where you can use your Mettle card abroad here.

With a savings pot, you could earn 1.26% AER / 1.25% Gross p.a (variable) on balances from as little as £10. You can set aside up to £1m in your savings pot in addition to the maximum limit of your main account and regular pots.

* We do not offer interest on your main account balance.

* Only savings pots can earn interest. You can only have one savings pot. It has a maximum balance of £1m. The interest rates may change to reflect the savings market. Interest is calculated daily and will be paid out monthly. Any positive change in interest will be notified within 30 days, any negative change in interest will be notified at least 60 days before. AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. It shows you what the rate would be if interest was paid and compounded each year. Gross is the interest rate you’re paid without the deduction of UK income tax. p.a is per annum (per year).

Read the full Mettle business account T&Cs (PDF, 278 KB).

No, we don’t offer an overdraft on your account.