NatWest has announced a major expansion of its award-winning Financial Foundations programme to help support 50,000 people with free financial education and guidance throughout 2026 in their workplace or community group.
Using its strong Regional Board network and position as the UK’s biggest business bank, NatWest has designed its Financial Foundations programme to take its colleagues’ expertise into the places where customers live and work to help more people manage their money and plan for the future with greater financial confidence.
The programme supports a wide range of public and private sector businesses – from large companies including Vodafone, local organisations such as Enfield Council, community groups and social enterprises. The innovative programme has also worked with social housing landlords, such as West Granton Housing Cooperative, providing the free practical sessions to its tenants.
Solange Chamberlain, CEO of Retail Banking Natwest, said: “Financial capability and confidence is a vital but often underestimated part of our economic infrastructure – helping people build financial resilience and plan for their future – strengthening communities from the inside out.
“Over the last year, we’ve seen positive Government action to help bring financial education and skills to even more young people in education. For over 30 years, NatWest has been committed to improving financial education through partnerships with schools and youth clubs. Our Financial Foundations programme is an opportunity to build on this and reach more young adults and families. That’s why we’re expanding this innovative programme in 2026 — to take more of our colleagues’ expertise into the communities we serve – bringing valuable benefits to both employers and the individuals.”
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby KC MP said: “Having a full understanding as to how best to save, budget and protect yourself from fraud are key to building financial health. Making financial education compulsory in primary schools will be a game changer in helping the next generation learn these vital skills, and NatWest’s exciting campaign builds on that by boosting people’s confidence to manage their money.”
First piloted in late 2024 across the North of England, the Financial Foundations programme has seen accelerated growth with more than 1,500 workshops delivered to approximately 800 businesses and 32,000 people in 2025.
Malcolm Buchanan, chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, was instrumental in the launch of the scheme in 2024. He said, “Initially we started offering support and advice to corporate clients whose employees were struggling with financial problems. Our colleagues would host workshops on areas ranging from debt management to the risks of fraud and scams. The aim was to help start conversations about financial issues and give people impartial advice. The demand took off, and we realised that NatWest would be well-placed to help improve financial education for thousands across the country.”
Working with its business customers and community groups, NatWest’s innovative UK-wide programme is expected to now reach the equivalent of around 1,000 people a week in their workplace and community.
At the heart of the programme is the expertise of NatWest’s colleagues – who deliver practical in-person workshops designed to help people manage their money and plan for the future – covering topics such as budgeting, borrowing basics, managing debt, savings strategies, planning for the unexpected and fraud protection.
The advice is making a big difference, with 88% of participants feeling more confident about managing their money following a workshop.
Colleagues from Portico, a UK-wide company that provides reception and facilities management solutions for workplaces and other sectors, participated in a workshop in Birmingham last month.
Chris Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Portico, said: “Our colleagues found the Financial Foundations workshop very beneficial. Even for those with a good understanding of how to manage money, being in the workshop and having open conversations on financing and budgeting helps bring the topic to life and break down some of the barriers that can exist. We’re looking forward to more of our colleagues across the UK having the chance to enjoy the session in future.”
Today’s announcement forms part of the bank’s new five point Growing Together plan, setting out how the bank will help build the conditions for UK-wide growth: backing powerful regions, championing mid-market companies, strengthening the country’s infrastructure and housing foundations, boosting financial confidence amongst families and young people, and supporting the innovators shaping the future economy.
NatWest’s Financial Foundations programme is free and open to all businesses and community groups. To find out more or request a workshop please contact financial.foundations@natwest.com