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Compliance and conduct

Our purpose-led business strives to put the needs of people and planet at the heart of everything we do. To do this, we are building a bank that is safe, simple and smart. Our ambition is to help all our customers, colleagues, communities, shareholders and suppliers to thrive.

We have four key tools to guide the way we work together:

The importance of risk culture

Risk culture is at the centre of both the risk management framework and risk management practice. A strong risk culture that encompasses both prudential and conduct risk outcomes and prescribed behaviours is the essential foundation for intelligent risk-taking, which enables NatWest Group to fulfil its purpose and meet the needs and expectations of customers and other key stakeholders. Colleagues are expected to take personal responsibility for understanding and proactively managing the risks associated with their roles. The target intelligent risk-taking behaviours are embedded in our Critical People Capabilities.

Oversight and monitoring

The Board is responsible for receiving reports on and reviewing the effectiveness of the risk management and internal control systems of NatWest Group. For more information about the relevant oversight roles and responsibilities of our Board and Board Committees, see the Responsible governance section on page 51 of our Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Supplement (PDF 9.6MB).

Whistleblowing

We want our colleagues, and all those we interact with, to feel confident to raise concerns about wrongdoing or misconduct without fear of retaliation. ‘Speak Up’ is NatWest Group’s formal whistleblowing framework, which enables colleagues to report concerns in confidence (and anonymously if preferred) through a secure reporting system operated by an independent third party. Colleagues using Speak Up are protected both through our internal policies and by legislation, where applicable.

The Speak Up policy sets out our commitment to protect anyone raising a genuine concern, even if the concern raised is considered to be unsubstantiated (not proven) after investigation. All whistleblowing concerns are investigated, as appropriate. Where concerns are substantiated, recommendations are made for remedial action, which can include changes to processes and controls as well as disciplinary action.

Related content

Read more about the important role we have to play to detect and prevent financial crime, protecting people, families, and businesses. 

Read more about the policies and processes we have in place to give us better insight into our customers’ activities and address issues of concern.

Read more about how we seek to promote and respect human rights through the continued implementation of policies and practices covering our colleagues, customers and suppliers.