NatWest Group has opened applications for the second year of its Fintech Programme, inviting UK-based fintech companies using artificial intelligence to transform the customer experience in financial services.
The 12-week programme, aimed at pre-Series A and Series A fintechs with proven product-market fit, offers participants hands-on support from NatWest’s Innovation team, access to senior decision-makers, mentorship, and opportunities to explore collaboration with the bank.
In addition, participants will benefit from NatWest’s wider innovation ecosystem through workshops and events held at the bank’s Accelerator Hubs across the UK, including its newly opened London hub.
This year, the programme focuses on “How AI is Shaping the Future of Customer Experience,” reflecting the rapid technological evolution in financial services and changing consumer expectations. NatWest is particularly interested in fintechs developing solutions that enhance customer engagement in an AI-driven landscape, create immersive banking experiences, or provide better support for vulnerable customers.
David Grunwald, Director of Innovation at NatWest Group, said the programme is designed to help the bank respond to major shifts in how people 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.”
The programme has already produced tangible results. Several start-ups from the inaugural cohort entered extended discussions with NatWest and its partners to explore commercial opportunities. One success story is Tunic Pay, a real-time payment intelligence platform focused on fraud prevention. Following participation in the programme, Tunic Pay formed a partnership with NatWest and is now piloting its fraud prevention technology for retail customers. The pilot integrates transaction authentication within NatWest’s mobile app to help prevent scams in real time.
Nicky Goulimis, co-founder of Tunic Pay, described the programme as a transformative experience for the start-up.
“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.”
NatWest is encouraging applications from fintechs across regional hubs in the UK, reinforcing its commitment to innovation beyond London and strengthening the national fintech ecosystem. Applications for the 2026 Fintech Programme are now open, with details and eligibility criteria available on NatWest Group’s website.
