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Mettle Review

Mettle is NatWest Group's free digital business bank account designed for sole traders, freelancers, and small limited companies. Launched in 2019, Mettle offers a fully app-based current account with free FreeAgent accounting software included for all customers. As a NatWest-backed product, Mettle provides the security and compliance of a major banking group with the simplicity of a fintech experience.

Written by the Lendus editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.

200+ UK lenders
2-minute application
No credit check to apply
FCA-regulated brokers

Amount

£0 – £0

Rates

N/A – N/A

No lending product

Speed

Account open within minutes

Trustpilot

4.4/5

2,100 reviews

What is Mettle?

Mettle (Mettle (NatWest Group)) is a UK-based business finance provider founded in 2019 and headquartered in London. Mettle is NatWest Group's free digital business bank account designed for sole traders, freelancers, and small limited companies. Launched in 2019, Mettle offers a fully app-based current account with free FreeAgent accounting software included for all customers. As a NatWest-backed product, Mettle provides the security and compliance of a major banking group with the simplicity of a fintech experience. They have lent N/A to date, helping 80,000+ UK businesses.

Founded 2019 London Mettle is a trading name of National Westminster Bank Plc, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. FCA reference number 121878. Deposits are FSCS protected up to £85,000.

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Products offered

Business Bank Account

Rates and costs

Rate range
N/A – N/A (No lending product)
Representative APR
N/A — banking product only
Amount range
£0 – £0
Approval speed
Account open within minutes

Representative example

Borrow £0 over N/A. Total repayable: £0. Cost of credit: £0. Your rate depends on your circumstances.

Eligibility requirements

Minimum trading history
None required
Minimum turnover
None
Credit requirements
No credit check for the account itself. Identity verification required.

How to apply

1

Check eligibility through Lendus — answer a few questions about your business and funding needs (2 minutes)

2

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3

Review your matched options — see rates, terms, and eligibility from multiple providers including Mettle

4

Choose the best offer and complete the application with your matched lender directly

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Pros and cons

Pros

  • Completely free — no monthly fees for the core account
  • FreeAgent accounting software included free (worth £150/year+)
  • Backed by NatWest Group — FSCS protection on deposits up to £85,000
  • Seamless payments, invoicing, and expense categorisation in the app

Cons

  • No overdraft, business loan, or credit facility available
  • Limited to sole traders and small limited companies — not suitable for larger businesses
  • Cash deposits require PayPoint — not ideal for cash-heavy businesses
  • No interest paid on account balances

Is Mettle right for you?

Best for

Sole traders and small limited companies wanting a free business account with integrated professional accounting software and FSCS-protected deposits

Not ideal for

Businesses needing lending, overdrafts, large cash deposit facilities, or multi-user team banking features

Mettle alternatives

If Mettle isn't the right fit, consider these alternatives:

ANNA Money Tide Revolut Business

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Frequently asked questions about Mettle

Is Mettle legit?
Yes, Mettle is a legitimate and fully regulated business bank account. Mettle is a trading name of National Westminster Bank Plc (NatWest), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the FCA and PRA (FCA reference 121878). This means customer deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 — the same protection as a high street bank.
What does Mettle cost?
Mettle is completely free to use. There are no monthly account fees, no transaction fees for UK transfers, and no charge for the included FreeAgent accounting software subscription. Cash deposits via PayPoint carry a small fee per deposit. International payments and currency exchange use competitive rates. Overall, Mettle is one of the best-value free business bank accounts in the UK market.
Can I get a Mettle account with bad credit?
Mettle does not run a credit check to open a business current account. You need to pass identity verification and confirm your business details, but adverse credit history will not prevent you from opening an account. Because Mettle does not offer any lending products, there is no credit assessment involved in the application process.
Does Mettle offer business loans or overdrafts?
No, Mettle does not currently offer business loans, overdrafts, or any credit facilities. Mettle is purely a business bank account product. If you bank with Mettle and need a business loan, you would need to apply separately with a lender such as iwoca, Fleximize, or through NatWest's own commercial lending division.
Is Mettle FCA regulated?
Yes, Mettle is regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority as it operates under the authorisation of National Westminster Bank Plc (FCA reference 121878). As a bank account (not an e-money account), deposits held in Mettle are fully FSCS-protected up to £85,000 per person — a significant advantage over e-money-based accounts like Tide or ANNA.
How long does it take to open a Mettle account?
Opening a Mettle account takes around 10 minutes from app download to account number. After passing identity checks and completing the onboarding process, most accounts are approved within minutes. A virtual debit card is available immediately in the app, and a physical Mastercard debit card is posted within 5 working days.
Does Mettle include FreeAgent?
Yes — all Mettle account holders receive a free subscription to FreeAgent accounting software, which is normally valued at around £150 to £200 per year. FreeAgent connects directly to your Mettle account, automatically categorising transactions and enabling MTD-compliant VAT returns, self-assessment submissions, and real-time profit and loss reporting.
Mettle vs ANNA Money — which is better?
Both Mettle and ANNA Money are free business bank accounts for small UK businesses, but they take different approaches. Mettle's biggest advantage is FSCS deposit protection (up to £85,000) and the included FreeAgent accounting software — ideal for businesses wanting professional bookkeeping included. ANNA Money wins on smart invoicing features and tax pot automation for sole traders. If accounting integration matters most, Mettle is the better choice.

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