Is NatWest Invest good for investing?
Independent review by Boring Money
31 Aug, 2021
Investment expert’s opinion
Only available to NatWest banking customers. This is a very simple offering and has only 5 investment options which are all NatWest products – this won’t suit more experienced investors or those who want some level of choice. However, for less confident NatWest customers it will be a very simple low-touch way to start an investment ISA, and be easily accessible via online banking. Still a little bit sparse and not wildly exciting. But not a bad option if you want something solid and simple from a brand you already know and trust.
*This is the view of investment expert Holly Mackay based on her first-hand customer experience as a test account holder. This does not constitute regulated advice. You can read more about Holly's investments here.
Who is NatWest Invest?
NatWest Invest is an investment service provided by UK bank NatWest. It offers a range of ready-made funds which are designed to match investors to a basket of investments suited to their investment goals and tolerance for risk. NatWest Invest’s funds are managed by third-party wealth management firm Coutts & Co, part of parent company NatWest Banking Group and the eighth oldest bank in the world. It says its goal is to “help people reach their potential by pointing them to the actions they can take today, to help turn their dreams into reality tomorrow”.
Who is NatWest Invest good for?
NatWest Invest is good for people who already bank with NatWest (you have to be an existing customer to open an account). It’s also suited to beginner investors who would like a little bit of advice, people who don’t want too much choice, or those who are worried about hefty fees. However, there’s a pretty limited choice of investment options and you don’t get access to any other brands, only NatWest products.
Pros and cons
Investments
Portfolio name | Defensive | Cautious | Balanced | Ambitious | Adventurous |
Risk level | Described as very low risk. This means it should swing up and down less than other options. | Described as lower risk. This means it is not as volatile as 100% shares. | Described as medium risk. Expect ups and downs – but potentially better returns. | Described as medium to high risk. This means even more ups and downs – but potentially better returns with it. | Described as high risk. Expect swings up and down but better long-term returns. |
Investing timeframe | Better suited to shorter timeframes. | Better suited to mid-term timeframes. | Better suited to 5 years+. | Suited to 5 years+. | Better suited to 7 years+. |
Allocation to shares | Typically limited to about 20%. | Typically limited to about 40%. | Typically limited to about 55%. | Typically limited to about 75%. | Can be up to 98%. |
Accounts
NatWest Invest offers a range of accounts. The table below shows a breakdown of which ones are available and you can scroll down for more information about NatWest's ISA, Pension and JISA.
Stocks & Shares ISA | Pension (SIPP) | General Investment Account (GIA) | Lifetime ISA | Junior ISA |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | X | ✔ |
Fees and charges
There are only three flat charges for investing with NatWest Invest. The table below shows a breakdown of how much each one costs.
Fee Type | Amount |
Platform fee | 0.15% |
Fund ongoing charge | 0.40% |
Transaction costs | 0.05% |
The total cost of investing with NatWest Invest is up to 0.60% per year, which includes the platform fee, the fund ongoing charge and any transaction costs. The charges are calculated in the same way for all account types.
Altogether NatWest’s fees are equivalent to paying a maximum of £6 per year on a £1,000 portfolio or £60 per year on a £10,000 portfolio.
Customer reviews
NatWest Invest users like the quality of service, feeling they are “very true to their customer”, “easy to work with” and have “excellent” communication. However, some negative feedback includes recent poor performance and a feeling that it is overpriced for the service provided.
Your opinion matters!
Leave a review for NatWest
05 December 2025
Good customer service and trustworthy
05 December 2025
It has a great reputation and provides a wide range of products with good customer support
05 December 2025
People skills need improving.
Most asked questions
Is NatWest Invest safe?
NatWest is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If a fund fails due to fraud or mismanagement, you may be eligible for compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS protection is capped at £85,000 per person, per fund manager (not per individual fund). However, if your investments lose value due to normal market conditions or your investment choices, this is part of the normal risk of investing and is not covered by FSCS compensation.
Is there a NatWest Invest app?
Yes, NatWest Invest customers can view and manage their investments with the mobile app. You can download it from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Can you invest in stocks and shares with NatWest?
No, you cannot invest in individual stocks and shares with NatWest Invest. You can only select from its range of ready-made funds. However, these funds are themselves invested in shares in different proportions according to risk level. E.g. the Adventurous ready-made fund invests in shares, which make up as much as 98% of the fund at any time.
Can you withdraw money from NatWest Invest?
You can withdraw money from your NatWest Invest ISA at any time online or via the mobile app. NatWest ISAs are not, however, “flexible” ISAs. This means that once you withdraw your money, you can’t put it back in again without affecting your annual ISA allowance (currently £20,000).
As for NatWest JISAs, you cannot withdraw cash until your child turns 18. And you can only withdraw cash from a NatWest SIPP once you are aged 55 or older, whether or not you are still working.
Will I pay tax on NatWest Invest?
You may need to pay tax if you invest with NatWest. However, if and how much depends on a number of factors including which type of NatWest Invest account you’re using, the performance of your investments and your usual rate of Income Tax.
For more information about how investments are taxed, read our article Three taxes to know about if you’re an investor.
Glossary
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All information in this review correct as at 01/01/2024.
