NatWest: How to Support Investing as an Essential Skill

As part of its free Financial Foundations programme, NatWest Group (NatWest) is introducing a new addition designed to "demystify investing”, the company says. 

Available nationwide from May 2026, the investment-focused workshop will bring a more comprehensive understanding of investing, aimed at 50,000 UK consumers. 

The push comes after research by the company revealed an opportunity to take the lead on instilling financial confidence through the workplace. 

To improve access to financial education and guidance, NatWest introduced its Financial Foundations with sights to enable workplace participants to take those skills and apply them in their own workplaces. 

The sessions are delivered in workplaces, charities and community groups across the UK. NatWest announced earlier this year that the programme would be extended to reach roughly 1,000 people per week. 

Skills covered include pivotal information such as knowledge of budgeting, planning for the future and saving. 

As part of working toward its goal of reaching 50,000 people in 2026, the group will train an additional 300 colleagues to the existing 400 to facilitate sessions around the UK, tailored to where its customers live and work. 

The bank is utilising its strong network across the UK, further finalising itself in what it terms as “the UK’s biggest business bank”. 

NatWest CEO Paul Thwaite attended the first Financial Foundations investment workshop, commenting: “A strong economy needs financial confidence and capability – the knowledge and skills that help people and families budget, save, invest and plan for the future. This is a vital part of our economic infrastructure and is often overlooked.

“Household saving and investment decisions play a critical role in the economy, yet too many people still feel uncertain or excluded from the knowledge and tools required to successfully make those decisions as part of their long term financial planning.”

What does this mean for financial literacy in the UK? 

NatWest announce the extension as part of its five point Growing Together plan. It sets out how the bank intends to build conditions for UK-wide growth, shortly after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced reforms to investment guidance with the goal of further accessibility in mind. 

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby KC MP, notes: “Financial literacy matters to the health of people’s finances, and to the health of our economy. I’m delighted to see NatWest Group committing to extend their financial education and literacy programme to give people access to new and improved financial skills.”

As part of its Growing Together plan, NatWest intends to bolster financial confidence for families and young people to support “the innovators shaping the future economy” it says. 

Other sections of the plan include intentions to back powerful regions, strengthening infrastructure for housing and championing mid-market companies. 

Data points to a lack in opportunity 

Research carried out by NatWest in March 2026 highlights a lack of opportunity for consumers to access financial literacy training. 

Out of those surveyed, 58% would be likely to take part in an educational session about investing if it were offered in the workplace. The survey also found that those under 35 were twice as likely to believe that employers have a responsibility to deliver financial education in comparison to those aged 35 and over. 

Paul explains: “Building a stronger culture of financial confidence across the full spectrum, from everyday budgeting and on to saving and investing, starts with education, whether in schools, workplaces or at key life moments. 

“That’s why we’re extending our Financial Foundations programme to allow us to take more of our colleagues’ expertise into the communities we serve, helping more people build financial confidence and resilience.

“Our new investment workshop aims to break down barriers to investing by offering practical guidance, building on the existing programme, which has been running since 2024 and has helped develop confidence in saving and money management for over 31,000 people in the UK in 2025.”