NatWest Group has opened applications for the second year of its Fintech Programme, aimed at UK-based fintechs using AI to reshape customer experience in financial services.
Selected fintechs will take part in a 12-week programme. They will receive support from NatWest’s Innovation team to explore potential collaborations and mentorship from senior decision-makers.
Participants will also gain access to the bank’s wider innovation network through workshops and events.
Some sessions will take place in NatWest’s Accelerator Hubs, including its new London Hub.
The 2026 programme seeks to include more fintechs from across the UK, addressing rapid technological change and shifting customer expectations.
It is aimed at pre-series A and series A fintechs with proven product-market fit and traction, offering solutions for the customer of the future.
This may involve improving engagement and relationships in an agentic AI environment, creating immersive experiences beyond traditional apps, or supporting vulnerable customers.
David Grunwald, Director of Innovation at NatWest Group, said:
“The pace of advances in AI and technology is fundamentally changing how customers interact with financial services. To stay ahead, whether through new channels, emerging technologies, or smarter engagement – innovation and collaboration are non-negotiables. Fintechs play a vital role in meeting these challenges, so it’s essential we support them to thrive as we come together to shape the future of banking.”
Participants have the opportunity to explore collaboration with NatWest, with several last year’s start-ups entering extended discussions with the bank and its partners.
Tunic Pay, a real-time payment intelligence platform focused on preventing fraud, formed a partnership with NatWest following the programme.
The two organisations are now piloting fraud prevention for NatWest Retail customers via transaction authentication in the mobile app.
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by noob via Freepik
