NatWest Offshore Banking Services

A comprehensive and accessible guide to the offshore banking, saving, investing and borrowing services that NatWest are offering expatriates

NatWest is one of the leading UK high street banks now offering expatriates and those who lead an international lifestyle some good, solid and competitive offshore banking services.

We have covered the likes of HSBC’s offerings before, and so today we’ll take a close look at what NatWest has to offer the expat, would-be expat, owner of a home abroad or those who work overseas perhaps, but who still reside in the UK.

There are three divisions to NatWest Offshore – they are International Personal Banking, Island Banking which covers their offices and services in the Channel Islands and also Isle of Man Bank.  We will be most concerned with their International Personal Banking services because these are of most interest to our expat readers.

The international services from NatWest are available over the counter and online, making the bank as flexible as it can be – an important factor for those who may be moving around the world and living, working or transacting in different time zones!  For any expat or international citizen the most fundamental and basic requirement when it comes to a bank account is flexibility – and NatWest offshore banking services are flexible…

The basic account options for day-to-day access and usage are simple and effective, with the 3 main accounts offered also giving clients the flexibility they want along with the likes of multicurrency elements, insurance and lifestyle benefits, international cash cards and so on.  The Advantage International account for example gives one a preferential rate on savings, a decent overdraft facility, travel insurance, commission free travel money and even discounts on travel and hotels.

The Advantage Cheque offers the above offshore banking benefits too, but it includes the likes of an airport lounge pass – fantastic for those who work on international assignments and spend a lot of time on flights and in airports.  Finally, the Current Plus account is the most basic account but perfect for simple day-to-day international use.  It is a cheque and debit card account with an international bank card for cash withdrawal around the world, one can apply for an overdraft and credit card from this account in time, and in the meantime it allows for instant access to funds thanks to internet and telephone banking.

As you can therefore see straightaway, NatWest offshore banking services are tiered and thought out so that the bank can service all international clients’ needs.

Some like to manage the majority of their financial affairs under one banking umbrella, and if this sounds like you then you’ll be pleased to learn that NatWest’s International Personal Banking division also covers savers, investors and borrowers.  Alternatively, if you bank elsewhere and you’re looking for a competitive bank offering decent interest rates and savings options or mortgages, loans and overdrafts for expats, perhaps you’ll find the offerings from NatWest offshore suit you.

From structured deposit accounts to having access to an international financial adviser who can go through your expatriate saving and investing advantage and help you make the most of it, again NatWest has it all covered.  And when it comes to borrowing, again the offerings from the bank are broad and well worth a look when comparing a range of banks and their products – especially as the likes of mortgages are harder to come by nowadays, let alone when you add on the fact that you’re an expatriate or you’re looking to borrow money to buy a property abroad!

When it comes to offshore banking services, NatWest have taken the provision of services very seriously indeed.  Never forget that a bank is like a shop – i.e., they want your business and will go all out to be as competitive and attractive as possible to attract your business – so it makes sense that NatWest have worked hard to provide every conceivable type of bank account or financial service that their international and expatriate clients could possibly need.  Also remember that because a bank is like a shop, you can negotiate when it comes to account fees and features if you feel that you’re a good client for a bank to have – you never know, they may be willing to be even more flexible to win and accommodate your new business.