NatWest
Major UK high-street bank within NatWest Group plc. Full SME lending book covering unsecured term loans, overdrafts, asset finance and commercial mortgages for existing NatWest business banking customers. Female Founders programme adds mentoring rather than relaxed credit criteria. Mainstream criteria: 2+ years trading, clean credit, established Ltd or LLP.
Quick verdict
- Product: Business loans, overdrafts, asset finance, commercial mortgages.
- Ticket band: £1k to £500k+ unsecured; larger via secured facilities.
- Pricing: From around 7.5% to 12% APR for unsecured term loans.
At a glance
NatWest, at a glance
- Legal entity
- National Westminster Bank plc
- Companies House
- 00929027
- Founded
- 1968
- Product
- Business loans, overdrafts, asset finance, commercial mortgages
- Ticket range
- £1k to £500k+ unsecured; larger via secured facilities
- Decision time
- 5 to 15 business days
- Ltd-only
- No, the lender also accepts other structures
Where NatWest is strong
- Major UK SME banking presence with relationship managers across regions.
- Full product range plus international trade and Female Founders mentoring.
- Competitive APR for top-tier applicants with existing banking flow.
- FCA / PRA regulation, FSCS protection on linked deposits.
Watch-outs, and when another lender may suit better
- Hard credit search at application; no soft-search quote.
- Decisions take 5 to 15 business days; longer for £100k+.
- Decline rates high for sub-2-year trading and post-CCJ applicants.
- Sector exclusions standard.
Best fit applicants
- Existing NatWest business banking customers
- Established Ltd / LLP 2+ years trading
- Borrowers wanting a relationship-led mainstream bank
Where NatWest is the wrong fit
- Sub-2-year trading
- Post-decline applicants
- Speed-prioritised cases
If declined by NatWest
If your application to NatWest is declined, ask the lender for the reason in writing. Some alternatives are named in the watch-outs section above. See also our guide to why lenders decline, by reason.
Other lenders we list
- 365 Business Finance, Merchant cash advance (revenue-based finance)
- Aldermore, Asset finance, invoice finance, commercial mortgages
- Allica Bank, SME term loan, asset finance + commercial mortgage
- Bizcap, Specialist post-decline / fast cash
How we rate NatWest
This review is FundBiz's own editorial assessment, scored against a published framework. See our methodology for how we rate each lender.
FAQ
What can I borrow through NatWest?
NatWest offers business loans, overdrafts, asset finance, commercial mortgages. Ticket range: £1k to £500k+ unsecured; larger via secured facilities. Typical rate: From around 7.5% to 12% APR for unsecured term loans.
How long does NatWest take to decide?
5 to 15 business days
Who is NatWest the best fit for?
First on the list: Existing NatWest business banking customers. The full list is under Best fit applicants above.
When might another lender suit better than NatWest?
First on the list: Sub-2-year trading. The other cases are under Where NatWest is the wrong fit above.
Send an enquiry
Tell us what you need in 2 minutes. FundBiz is not a lender and does not run a credit check. We pass your enquiry to a business finance broker, who will contact you about your options. For limited companies, LLPs and partnerships with four or more partners.
Send an enquiry →Official site: NatWest
Last updated: . By Adam Parker. FundBiz is owned and operated by Best Business Loans Ltd, directed by Oliver Mackman.