NatWest business credit card: features, fees and benefits

As one of the ‘Big Four’ UK high street banks, NatWest has a prominent position as a provider of business loans and overdraft facilities. In this article, we’ll cover what the NatWest business credit card offers to small business users and which card is best for managing your small business expenses. 

What is the NatWest business credit card – and who is it for?

The NatWest Business credit card is aimed at UK businesses that need a straightforward way to access credit. You can apply for the credit card if you’re a UK-based sole trader, limited company or partnership. 

Corporate credit cards (or business credit cards) are an excellent way to manage your company’s everyday expenses, or bridge any short-term cash flow gaps. You pay for supplies, services and raw materials using the credit card, and then pay back the balance (or a percentage of the balance) at the end of the month. 

To be eligible for a standard NatWest business credit card, you must be:

1. 18 years or older
2. A business with a registered business address in the UK 
3. Registered for tax purposes in the UK
4. A NatWest business bank account holder in the same business name 
5. A business with an annual turnover of under £2 million
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Key features and benefits of NatWest business credit cards

The NatWest Business credit card is a standard credit card and works in exactly the same way as your personal credit card. You buy goods or services using the pre-agreed credit on the card and then pay it back at the end of the month – with interest added if you don’t clear the whole balance. 

However, the NatWest card also offers a number of additional benefits and features that you won’t get with your personal credit card. For example, you can earn cashback on your business spending and on any fuel you buy. And an extra bonus is that the card has no annual fees for the first year.

Let’s look at the key features associated with the card:

*All interest rates, APR rates, purchase rates, credit limits, fees and card information is correct as of August 2025

How does the NatWest cashback scheme work?

The NatWest cashback scheme is delivered through Mastercard Business Savings, a free merchant discount programme that’s available to eligible NatWest business credit card, credit card plus and debit cardholders. You can make purchases using your NatWest card and cashback is paid directly to your business card account, usually within 3-5 business days after the qualifying purchase.

NatWest Business vs Business Plus credit cards: what’s the difference?

In addition to the NatWest Business credit card, the bank also offers the Business Plus credit card, a premium card that offers additional benefits (and with a higher yearly fee that reflects these added perks).

The Business Plus credit card gives you more cashback benefits and also offers zero transaction fees on overseas purchases – a major bonus if you and your team do a lot of international business travel. 

Let’s compare the core features of the Business and Business Plus credit cards:

As an overall summary of the two cards, the Business Plus credit offers greater cashback across a wider range of spending and also offers free overseas card transactions. Those may be important benefits if you travel abroad frequently or want to improve your cashflow using the cashback opportunities. 

However, the standard Business credit card is a cheaper option, with smaller annual fees (and zero fees in the first year). If you can live without the cashback and zero overseas fees perks, the standard card is a great option for a small business.

Which NatWest card is best for small businesses?

As a small business, you want to reduce your business costs and keep expenses to a minimum. The cheaper running costs (and zero annual fee in the first year) of the NatWest Business credit card make it a more economical way to take on a line of credit. Your choice of card may be dictated by the turnover limit too (below £2 million for the Business credit card and between £2 million to £6.5 million for the Business Plus credit card).

You can always upgrade to the Business Plus credit card at a later date, as the cashback and zero foreign transaction fees become a more attractive benefit to the business, that can be balanced with the premium fees.   

How to apply for a NatWest business credit card (online and in-branch)

You can apply for a NatWest business credit card in person at a NatWest branch

or by contacting NatWest via the bank’s business telephone line on 0345 711 4477. But in both instances, you’ll still need to provide the relevant personal and business documents to verify your identity and the validity of the business.

The faster and more effective way to apply for a credit card is online, via the NatWest website. You can enter all the required information, provide the necessary documents and get approval for the card in the quickest way possible. 

Let’s look at how you would apply for a NatWest card:

Go to the credit card landing page

• Go to the NatWest Business or Business Plus credit card landing page
• Click the ‘Apply now’ button and answer the questions about whether you’re an existing NatWest customer, a new customer or whether you want an additional card.

Meet the eligibility and identity criteria

• The application will begin with a few quick questions to assess your eligibility. A soft credit check will be carried out to give an indication of whether you’ll be approved and what your potential credit limit could be, without impacting your credit score.
• You may be asked to verify your identity using a secure online service.

Fill out the required personal and business information

Personal details:

• Home addresses (and the date you moved there) of the sole trader business, partners in the partnership, or directors in the limited company.

Business details:

• Average turnover per annum
• Month and year business started trading
• Limited companies will be required to provide their company registration details.
• To apply for the Business credit card, you must meet these requirements:
  
  • You’re a UK resident aged 18 and over
  • You’re a director of the business you’re applying on behalf of
  • You have not been declared bankrupt or received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) or Court Decree
  • Your registered business address must be in the United Kingdom and you should be registered for tax purposes in the UK
  • You must maintain a business bank account in the same legal entity name with NatWest

Complete the application

• Check all your answers and that all information is correct.
• Make sure you’ve provided all necessary documentation.
• Submit your application.

Wait for approval of your card application

• Instant decision: In many cases, you’ll get an almost instant decision on your application. This is particularly common if you’re an existing NatWest business customer and your application is straightforward.
• Card delivery: If your application is successful, NatWest will notify you via text message or email. You should then receive your new credit card and PIN within 10-12 business days.
• Potential delays: Most decisions are quick, but the process can take longer. It may take several working days for the bank to complete the full application process, if additional checks are needed and more information is required. Contact the bank if you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe. 

Managing your card: login, payments and customer support options

Once your application is approved and you receive your card, you can start enjoying all the benefits of having a business credit card to manage your expenses. Managing the card and your repayments is straightforward, but let’s look at the key things you need to remember when using your new card.

1. Managing the card online

There are three key ways to manage your card online: 

• On the NatWest website: Log in to the NatWest business website to access your business finances and details of your card spending. 
• Via the NatWest Mobile app: The NatWest Mobile App makes it easy to manage your business finances and transactions on your smartphone
• Via the ClearSpend app: ClearSpend is a free web and mobile app that lets you view your business credit card spending on the go and gives you control over your card settings.

2. Paying your bill

You don’t have to pay your entire business credit card balance in full every month. You can just pay the minimum amount by the required date. 

The minimum payment will be the greater of: £5 or the full balance if less; or that month’s interest, any Default Charges, 1/12th of any annual fee and 3% of the remaining balance (excluding any annual fee). 

You can set up a Direct Debit to pay the full balance, or minimum payment, automatically. Or you can set up a standing order to pay your chosen monthly repayments, as long as they’re above the minimum payment threshold.

Payment can also be made through the mobile app, making it easier to manage and pay your bill on time (and escape any interest on your balance). 

3. Contacting NatWest for card support

You can contact the NatWest support centre for card support, to request credit limit increases or to report suspicious activity. 

4. Online banking tools

In addition to the NatWest Mobile App and ClearSpend apps, you can manage your business bank accounts and business credit cards online through the NatWest online banking site.

What should you do if your Natwest card is lost or stolen?

If your NatWest Business credit card is stolen or mislaid, you should let the bank know as soon as possible. You can report a lost card quickly through the NatWest mobile app or by logging into your NatWest online banking. 

You’ll be able to block the card, report it stolen/missing and order a new card.

Should you choose a NatWest business credit card?

Before you decide on a NatWest business credit card, it’s a good idea to research the wider UK market to see what other credit cards are available. Interest rates, card fees, card benefits and cashback opportunities can vary hugely across the Big Four banks, smaller UK banks and specialist business credit providers. 

Do your homework and make sure you’re choosing the most practical and appropriate card for your own specific business needs. 

Take a look at our recent rundown of the top UK business credit cards

Prefer flexibility over plastic?

A business credit card like NatWest’s can help with everyday spending — but if you’re looking for more control, iwoca’s Flexi-Loan could be a smarter fit.

With iwoca, you get funding that works around your cash flow — without the restrictions of credit limits, interest-free periods or fixed repayments.

• Borrow what you need — up to £1,000,000, with decisions in hours.
• Only pay interest on what you use — no charges for funds sitting untouched.
• Repay early, pay less — no fees for early repayment means you save on interest.
• Top up on demand — borrow more when your business needs change.
• No need to switch banks — iwoca works with most UK business accounts.

Whether you’re bridging a gap or seizing an opportunity, iwoca gives you funding on your terms — not your lender’s.

Explore your options today

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