NatWest Group has opened applications for the second year of its Fintech Programme, calling on UK-based fintechs that are using artificial intelligence to reshape the future of customer experience in financial services.
The 2026 programme will run for 12 weeks and is aimed at pre-Series A and Series A fintechs with proven product-market fit and commercial traction. Successful applicants will receive hands-on support from NatWest’s Innovation team, alongside access to senior decision-makers, mentorship, and opportunities to explore potential collaboration with the bank.
Participants will also be able to tap into NatWest’s wider innovation ecosystem through a programme of in-person events and workshops, some of which will take place at the bank’s Accelerator Hubs across the UK, including its new London hub.
This year’s theme, How AI is Shaping the Future of Customer Experience, reflects the rapid pace of technological change in financial services and the shifting expectations of consumers. NatWest says the programme will focus on emerging trends such as agentic AI, the rise of smart devices, and the development of new customer touchpoints beyond traditional banking apps.
The bank is particularly keen to hear from fintechs developing solutions that improve customer engagement and relationships in an AI-driven landscape, create immersive and intuitive banking experiences, or provide better support for vulnerable customers.
Building on the success of the inaugural programme, NatWest is encouraging applications from fintechs across regional hubs throughout the UK, reinforcing its commitment to supporting innovation beyond London and strengthening the country’s fintech ecosystem.
David Grunwald, Director of Innovation at NatWest Group, said the programme is designed to help the bank stay ahead of profound changes in how customers interact with financial services.
“The pace of advances in AI and technology is fundamentally changing how customers interact with financial services,” he said. “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.”
NatWest says the programme has already demonstrated tangible results. Several start-ups from last year’s cohort went on to enter extended discussions with the bank and its partners, exploring longer-term commercial opportunities.
One such business is Tunic Pay, a real-time payment intelligence platform focused on preventing fraud and scams. Following its participation in the programme, Tunic Pay formed a partnership with NatWest and is now piloting fraud prevention technology for the bank’s retail customers. The pilot uses transaction authentication within NatWest’s mobile app to help protect customers from scams in real time.
Nicky Goulimis, co-founder of Tunic Pay, said the programme provided invaluable access and insight into how a major bank operates at scale.
“Joining NatWest’s Fintech Programme gave us a unique opportunity to connect directly with the bank’s teams and learn from their experience serving millions of customers,” she said. “The access and support we received helped us understand how our platform could make a real difference for NatWest’s business and its customers. Working together, we’re now able to pilot new ways to protect people from fraud and scams, using technology to make banking safer for everyone.”
Applications for the 2026 Fintech Programme are now open. Further details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, are available via NatWest Group’s website.
Amy Ingham
Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.