Press Release

NatWest Student Account Delivering Financial Benefits and Market Leading Incentives

11 June 2009

• NatWest Voted 'The number 1 bank for students for the fifth year running'*
• 5-Year 16-25 Railcard worth £130
• Up to £1,250 interest free overdraft in first year of study
• Extra benefits like £100 off laptops and half-price pay as you go mobile broadband
• Free mobile text alerts to keep on top of spending
• Discounts at major high street retailers

This week NatWest launches its 2009 Student Package offering both competitive financial benefits and market leading incentives including the very popular 5-Year 16-25 Railcard, worth £130. This card gives students a one third discount on most rail fares across Great Britain every time it is used. The Railcard can now also be used to take advantage of special discounts at hundreds of top student high street and online stores. Students continue to tell us that the Railcard is by far the most useful student account benefit, with it voted as the ‘Most attractive incentive’ in 2008. This year students will be able to apply for and track their Railcard online.

Interest-free overdraft
The 2009 student package also includes an interest-free overdraft facility: The suggested limits, based on a student’s individual circumstances are: 1st year - £1250, 2nd year - £1400, 3rd year - £1600, 4th year - £1800, 5th year - £2000, interest-free.

With first years more aware of how they manage their money, and to help them with their budgeting, NatWest offers guidelines on the amount of overdraft that best suits their needs. For the first term this is usually £500, second term £1,000 and by third term £1,250.

Added Discounts and Benefits
This year, the NatWest Student account offers even more practical incentives for students on the move, with £100 off selected ASUS laptops and half price off the starter pack for 3 Pay as You Go Mobile Broadband. All students who open their account online will receive a free 4GB USB stick with additional security software worth £31.

NatWest offers enhanced expertise in the form of Students Advisers and has over 50 campus branches around the UK, more than any other bank.

In addition to the service NatWest provides students, it also has a Graduate package offering customers an interest free overdraft for an additional three years after graduation. This helps make the transition from Student to Graduate life as easy as possible and allows NatWest to offer tailored financial support spanning a full six years.

Delivering a banking service students tell us they want
Phil Cook, Head of NatWest Student and Graduate Banking, said: “NatWest has been voted the ‘Best Student Bank’ for the fifth year in a row and we want to continue delivering financial advantages, such as the exceptional interest free overdraft facility and practical benefits such as the Railcard. Never has it been more important to manage your money with a bank that really understands students’ core needs. The NatWest 2009 student package has evolved in response to what students have told us really matters to them, like the 5-Year 16-25 Railcard worth £130. NatWest also offers genuine student expertise allowing us to give each of our student customers the additional support they may need at this new and exciting time in their lives.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Accounts can be opened online at www.natwest.com/students, over the telephone on 0800 200 400, or in any NatWest branch.
• Visit NatWest’s dedicated student website at www.natwest.com/students packed full of useful information for students.

*Source: T&SS, Nov 2008; first year full time Students in England & Wales

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