NatWest Group is expanding its workplace financial education programme with a new investment-focused workshop, as the bank increases the reach of its free Financial Foundations initiative across businesses, charities, and community groups in the UK.
The new workshop will be available nationwide from May 2026. NatWest said it forms part of a wider plan to support 50,000 people during 2026 with financial education and guidance delivered in workplaces and local communities — equivalent to around 1,000 people a week.
To support that expansion, the bank is training more than 300 additional colleagues to become facilitators. They will join an existing network of around 400 staff already delivering practical, in-person sessions across the UK. NatWest said the workshops are designed to cover subjects including budgeting, saving, planning for the future, and now the basics of investing.
Fresh research commissioned by the bank in March 2026 suggests there is demand for that support at work. Among 5,000 UK adults surveyed, 58% said they would be likely to take part in a financial education session on investing if one were offered in their workplace. NatWest also said adults aged under 35 were twice as likely as those aged 35 and over to believe employers have a responsibility to deliver financial education, at 9% versus 4%.
Paul Thwaite, CEO of NatWest Group, said: “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.”
The launch comes as the Financial Conduct Authority moves to widen access to investment guidance and reduce the UK’s long-running advice gap. NatWest is placing its programme within that broader push, with the bank saying Financial Foundations helped more than 31,000 people in the UK in 2025. Last year, it delivered 1,500 workshops and, alongside NatWest Thrive, reached more than one million people.
NatWest said 92% of participants would recommend the workshops and 90% feel more confident about managing or protecting their finances afterwards. Businesses and community groups can find out more or request a workshop.
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