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Bank accounts

Foundation account

No monthly fee

What is a Foundation account?

Our Foundation account is a straightforward account designed to help you manage your money. We may offer you this account if you aren't eligible for one of our other bank accounts, or if we feel it’s more appropriate for your circumstances when applying. Please note currently only Ukrainian refugees can apply for this account directly.  If you are looking to apply, please visit our Ukrainian refugee support page.

Overdrafts are not available and no interest or charges can be applied.

What do you get with a Foundation account?

  • There is no monthly fee.
  • A contactless Debit Card for making purchases and withdrawing cash.
  • Bank anywhere, anytime with our mobile banking app.
  • Easily manage Direct Debits and set up text and email alerts.

We will only offer you our Foundation account if you apply for one of our other bank accounts but do not qualify. If you would like to bank with us, please start by taking a look at our account options.

Get our £200 offer when you switch to Royal Bank

Apply online or via our mobile app to switch a current account held elsewhere using the Current Account Switch Service into a Royal Bank account from 15 February 2024.

Deposit £1,250 into your account and log in to our mobile banking app within 60 days. App eligibility criteria apply. 

When you meet these conditions, we'll pay £200 into your eligible account within 7 days

Please note, you can not apply for a Foundation account but you can switch a current account held elsewhere into one. Your switch must fully complete to receive the incentive, this means your old bank account will close and any funds and Direct Debits will move over to us. The deposit of £1,250 can be made up of multiple credits and must remain in the account for 24 hours. If you've previously received a switcher incentive from NatWest Group since 01 January 2020, you will not be eligible for this offer. Offer can be withdrawn or amended at any time.

Switch offer T&Cs apply (PDF, 166KB)

A Guide to Switching Current Accounts (PDF, 3MB)

How does the Current Account Switch Service work?

Product features…

Everyday support

Our Foundation bank account is designed to help you with your day to day banking needs. Set up text alerts, email alerts, manage Direct Debits and more.

Mobile banking app

Our mobile banking app is secure, easy to use and lets you do loads of useful everyday banking tasks when you’re out and about. It’s available to customers with Digital Banking and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.

24/7 banking

Access your account wherever, whenever.

Contactless Debit card

Make Purchases. Withdraw Cash.

Emergency Cash

If your debit card is lost or stolen, our Emergency Cash service makes sure you can get your money from our cash machines or ATMs (Limits apply).

Want to apply for a bank account?

If you go ahead and complete your online application for a bank account with us today, we will let you know then if we need to offer you a Foundation account instead. If so, we will give you the option of whether to continue.

Our 5-star-rated everyday bank account, with no monthly fee

This is our day-to-day bank account full of features to help you manage your money. It comes with no monthly fee.

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Our Reward account

Earn rewards each month. For £2 a month you will receive:

  • £4 a month back in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (at least £2 each).
  • £1 a month back in Rewards with 1 mobile app log-in.
  • From 1% back in Rewards when you spend at our partner retailers, including Caffe Nero and Europcar.
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Our other current accounts

We also have a variety of other accounts with further benefits for our existing customers, as well as accounts designed for student and child and teenage customers.

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Ukrainian refugee account opening 

We have created a dedicated page which has all the support you need to open your account with us.

The page is also available in Ukrainian and Russian and includes further information about the account as well as support for refugees you may find useful.

See our Ukrainian refugee account opening page for more information.