The business bank account built for founders.

Mettle, by NatWest, is a business account with no monthly fee for sole traders and limited companies with up to two owners. It is provided by National Westminster Bank plc.

Open an account See what's included

By NatWestFCA regulatedFSCS protectedNo monthly fee

Why we recommend Mettle

Backed by NatWest: An app-based account provided by National Westminster Bank plc, a UK bank regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority.
FreeAgent included*: Mettle customers get the FreeAgent licence free while they make at least one transaction a month from the Mettle account.
Invoices and receipts in-app: Create invoices, photograph receipts and put money aside in separate pots from the app.
FSCS protection: Eligible deposits are protected up to £120,000, a limit shared across NatWest, NatWest Premier, Ulster Bank and Mettle. An account can hold up to £1 million.
Bank feed into FreeAgent: Mettle transactions feed into FreeAgent, where your accountant works on the same records.
Support from people: Mettle's customer support is run by a team of people.

Check whether Mettle suits your company

Sole trader, or limited company with up to two owners (one owner accesses the account)
Everyone with significant control of the company must be an individual, so a company controlled by a fund or a holding company cannot open an account
Not available to LLPs, partnerships, PLCs, charities or trusts
UK-based, with owners who are UK tax residents
Main balance limit of up to £1 million

Open an account with Mettle

*FreeAgent is free while you make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. Mettle is provided by National Westminster Bank plc. Eligible deposits protected by the FSCS.

Who cannot open a Mettle account

Mettle is open to sole traders and to limited companies with up to two owners, and only one of those owners can access the account. Each person can open only one account. Owners have to be UK tax resident, and the balance limit is £1 million.

A company with three co-founders on the share register cannot open a Mettle account. Nor can a company where both directors need to see the account, because only one owner can have access. If either applies to your company, choose a different bank.

Starling and Tide both accept companies with more than two owners, give each director their own access, and connect to FreeAgent and Xero. FreeAgent’s free licence does not apply on that route, so we either put the licence on our practice account or quote you for Xero. We agree which before you open an account, so that you only move bank once.

What to check on any business account

Is it a bank or an e-money firm? Deposits with a bank are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per eligible depositor. An e-money firm is not covered by the scheme. It must keep customers’ money in a separate safeguarded account instead, which protects you in a different way if the firm fails.
Can you pay in cash and cheques? Many app-based accounts cannot accept them, or charge a fee for paying them in. If you expect to pay either in, check before you open the account.
Does the account connect directly to your accounting software? A direct bank feed sends every transaction to the software automatically. Without one, someone has to download and import the transactions by hand each month.
What happens when you grow? Ask about the balance limit, international payments and whether the provider lends. Changing bank later means updating every customer, supplier and payroll record that holds your bank details.

Business banking questions

Who can open a Mettle account?

Sole traders and limited companies with up to two owners, where only one owner can access the account. The business must be UK-based and its owners UK tax residents.

Does Mettle charge a monthly fee?

No. Mettle is a business account from NatWest with no monthly account fee. Optional paid add-ons are available.

How is money in a Mettle account protected?

Mettle is provided by National Westminster Bank plc, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000.

Does Mettle work with FreeAgent?

Yes. FreeAgent and Mettle are both owned by NatWest Group, and Mettle transactions feed into FreeAgent automatically.

Do I have to bank with Mettle to work with you?

No. We work with clients who bank with any UK bank. Mettle suits a simple company that uses FreeAgent, because the FreeAgent licence stays free while you make at least one transaction a month from the account.