Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Unite criticizes NatWest’s office attendance plan
Public backlash
In a controversy noted in October 2026, the Unite union criticized NatWest's plan to require workers to attend the office at least two days a week starting in February. According to the union, the changes could increase costs for workers and disrupt their caring arrangements. The criticism concerns the office attendance requirement and its potential effects on employees' expenses and care responsibilities.
The Unite union criticized NatWest’s plan to require workers to attend the office at least two days a week from February, saying the changes could increase costs and disrupt caring arrangements for workers.
Source excerpt
The Unite union has hit out at a plan by NatWest to reduce the rights of 30,000 of its employees to work from home.
NatWest says it is moving to a hybrid approach where workers will be required to attend the office at least two days a week, from February.
But Unite said NatWest's decision was "out of touch with the realities facing its workforce", with many facing higher travel and childcare costs.
2021
NatWest fined £265m for money-laundering control failures
Fine or penalty
NatWest was fined £265 million after admitting it failed to prevent nearly £400 million in money laundering by one firm. The sentencing judge said the fine was reduced because NatWest had pleaded guilty; the judge also said the bank was not complicit in the laundering.
Company response
Apology — NatWest
NatWest said it deeply regrets failing to monitor the customer properly.
Source excerpt
Mrs Justice Cockerill at Southwark Crown Court on Monday fined the bank £264,772,620, ordered it to pay £4,297,466 in costs and made a £460,047 confiscation order.
'Although in no way complicit in the money laundering which took place... without the bank's failings the money could not have been laundered.'
NatWest has been fined £265m after admitting it failed to prevent money-laundering of nearly £400m by one firm.
2008
Financial-crisis bailout of parent group
The mismanagement and financial distress of the parent RBS group led to a major UK government recapitalisation. Public ownership eventually reached 84%, and the rescue shaped NatWest's strategy and ownership for the following 17 years.
1999
Failed Legal & General merger
A proposed combination with Legal & General was poorly received by financial markets and was abandoned. The episode contributed to pressure on senior management and made NatWest vulnerable to a takeover attempt.
1997
NatWest Markets loss and controls controversy
A loss at NatWest Markets was first reported at £50 million and later revised to approximately £90.5 million. Subsequent scrutiny found serious weaknesses in internal controls and risk management, particularly concerning complex derivatives and the bank's investment-banking expansion.
1997
NatWest Markets losses and control failures
NatWest Markets disclosed losses that were later increased after further investigation. Subsequent scrutiny criticised internal controls, risk management and the bank’s handling of complex derivative-related activities.
1987
Blue Arrow affair and management criticism
NatWest was criticized in connection with the collapse of Blue Arrow after the 1987 stock-market crash. A Department of Trade and Industry investigation criticized aspects of management, and several directors resigned.
1987
Blue Arrow and stock-market-crash controversy
NatWest was affected by the 1987 market crash and controversy surrounding the collapse of Blue Arrow. A Department of Trade and Industry report criticised management, and several directors resigned.