$NWG

NatWest and RBS will stop paying customers £1 monthly for logging into their mobile banking app starting October 1, affecting 'Reward' account holders. The Direct Debit reward of £4 will remain. NatWest also reported on the West Midlands' innovation potential, citing 1,743 innovative businesses and 838 grant recipients in the region.

The UK's Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) may pay up to £2m in legal fees to Barclays, NatWest, Santander, and Vanquis Bank after the High Court overturned FOS decisions on overdraft and credit card complaints, citing a 'fundamental error of law'. The court ruled FOS must cover the banks' legal costs, with Barclays incurring £830,000, Vanquis £353,000, and NatWest £158,000. The FOS argued the ruling could deter its work, but the court disagreed. The government is also reforming the FOS's role a

UK's four largest banks reported £29.2bn in combined H1 2026 profits, up 21% YoY. Groups propose windfall taxes, estimating £19bn from a 38% levy. HSBC led with £14.5bn, Barclays £6.1bn, Lloyds and NatWest each £4.3bn. Banks align with devolution agenda, avoiding tax debate.

Bank of America upgraded Lloyds (LLOY) and NatWest (NWG), citing strong deposit franchises and cost control. It raised price targets to 140p (27% upside) and 850p (24% upside), respectively. Barclays (BARC) was downgraded to Neutral with a 6% price target cut to 580p. All three banks face potential tax hikes and increased competition.

Bank of America upgraded Lloyds (LLOY.L) to Buy, downgraded Barclays (BARC.L) to Neutral, and kept NatWest (NWG.L) at Buy, citing increased U.K. banking competition. Analyst Perlie Mong expects higher deposit competition and cost pressures. BofA raised price targets for Lloyds and NatWest, cut Barclays' target, and noted all three trade at a sector discount.

Enterprise Nation and NatWest have partnered to support early-stage UK businesses, aiming to expand the Enterprise Nation community to 500,000 members. The alliance offers enhanced access to NatWest Accelerator's resources, including funding and expertise, to boost productivity and tackle structural barriers. According to Enterprise Nation's Small Business Barometer, funding appetite and confidence in expansion have declined significantly.

NatWest (NYSE:NWG) is expanding in the U.S. with a new office in Connecticut, enabled by regulatory changes and strong profitability. The move aims to diversify revenue and reduce reliance on the UK market, leveraging existing U.S. infrastructure. The bank's £2.7 billion acquisition of Evelyn Partners supports its growth strategy.

NatWest Group reported a 20% rise in H1 2026 profit to £4.3bn, exceeding estimates. The bank raised its full-year income target to £17.9bn, driven by growth in net interest income and the Evelyn Partners acquisition. Dividends increased by 26%, and a share buyback is under consideration. The CET1 ratio stood at 13.2%, with a low and stable cost of risk.

NatWest has received approval from the US Federal Reserve to establish a representative office in Stamford, Connecticut, following changes to UK ring-fencing rules. The office will support existing and prospective US customers but cannot conduct banking activities. Analyst Gary Greenwood notes this marks a shift from NatWest's post-2008 focus on the UK market, potentially indicating international expansion.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will review the access to cash regime in late 2026, assessing its impact on 14 major banks and building societies. The 12 banks affected include Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, Santander, and HSBC. The review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the rules, which took effect in September 2024, in maintaining reasonable cash access services for consumers and businesses.