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The High Court approved the transfer in April 2025, and legal ownership of certain credit cards, loans and savings accounts transferred to NatWest on 1st May.

There are no immediate changes to how you use and access your account(s). Sainsbury’s Bank will continue to be your key point of contact for support relating to your account(s), including any new or existing complaints, disputes or claims, and will continue to service your account(s) until we tell you otherwise.

Our insurance and travel money services will continue to be available as they are today and are not included in the transfer.

Have a look at the timeline on our dedicated webpage outlining when we’ll be in touch with more information about your account(s) or any actions you may need to take. 

Frequently asked questions

Will there be any immediate changes?

There are no immediate changes to how you use and access your account(s), and you can still expect the same trusted service from us. 

On 1 May 2025 we made changes to your terms and conditions to reflect a change to the legal entity that provides your account(s), which changed from Sainsbury’s Bank to NatWest. 

To make sure we can continue to service your account(s) until they move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, there has also been a temporary change to your terms and conditions if they contain any restrictions on a third party servicing your account(s). These restrictions no longer apply until 3 months after we stop servicing your account(s) on behalf of NatWest.

There will be no other immediate changes to the terms and conditions of your account(s). This includes interest rate(s). Although interest rates on savings accounts won’t change as a result of the transfer, they may change for other reasons, for example to reflect any movements in the Bank of England base interest rate. Any proposed changes to be made to your account(s) in the future, will be made by NatWest, and you’ll be given at least 60 days’ notice.

Our insurance and travel money services will continue to be available as they are today and are not included in the transfer.

Will my Nectar details or benefits change?

No, your Nectar details will remain the same and you’ll continue to receive the same benefits as you do today. This includes collecting points, redeeming points and use of other Nectar partners.

There will also be no change to how you collect Nectar points with your Sainsbury’s Bank Credit Card.

Will there be changes to the way I access my account(s)?

There are no immediate changes to how you use and access your account(s). You’ll still be able to access your account(s) as normal, view balances and account information, and move money to and from savings accounts (unless your money is in a fixed term account). If you’re registered for online banking and mobile app, your username, password and security details will remain the same.

Once your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, you won’t be able to use Sainsbury’s Bank’s online banking and mobile app to access your account(s) and there will be some steps you’ll need to take to access your account(s) using NatWest’s online banking and mobile app. NatWest will be in touch with sufficient notice before then with instructions on what you need to do, including what to do if you’re already a NatWest customer.

Will I need to set up new direct debits or standing orders?

There are no changes to your direct debits or standing orders. NatWest will take steps to make sure that, when your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, any existing direct debits or standing orders are transferred to NatWest.

Will the way I contact you change?

There will be no immediate change to how you can get in touch with us, and you can still use our existing phone numbers. 

We’ll continue to be your key point of contact for any questions relating to your account(s) until we tell you otherwise.

I already bank with NatWest, what does that mean for me?

NatWest will become the legal entity and provider of any transferring personal loans, credit card or savings accounts you have with Sainsbury’s Bank as well as any you already have with NatWest. You won’t be able to view your Sainsbury’s Bank account(s) in NatWest’s online banking and mobile app until your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025. 

There will be no changes to any account(s) you already hold with NatWest. You can continue to manage your account(s) as you do today. 

If you have deposits with Sainsbury’s Bank, NatWest and/or Ulster Bank Northern Ireland, it’s important that you review your account balances to assess if there’s any change to your Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection. There’s more information about this in the question below. 

How is my Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection affected?

The FSCS protects customers with eligible deposits up to £85,000 in total across all the savings and current accounts they hold in a regulated bank, building society or credit union. For more information about FSCS visit fscs.org.uk

Any Sainsbury’s Bank savings accounts you held are now NatWest savings accounts. NatWest also owns Ulster Bank Northern Ireland, and both NatWest and Ulster Bank Northern Ireland share FSCS protection as they operate under the same banking licence. As a result, if you haven’t already reviewed your account balances, it’s important that you do this to check if your total balances exceed the £85,000 FSCS protection limit. If they do, you may wish to make a withdrawal or transfer to another regulated bank, building society or credit union (to keep your combined balance within the FSCS protection limit).

You’ll find a list of banking brands that share FSCS protection at bankofengland.co.uk/prudential-regulation/authorisations/financial-services-compensation-scheme#chapter-4

You’ll find more information about this, including some helpful examples, on page 17 of the Customer Booklet.

You may have also received this letter as a reminder.

Will the transfer change the terms and conditions of my account(s)?

On 1 May 2025 we made changes to your terms and conditions to reflect a change to the legal entity that provides your account(s), which changed from Sainsbury’s Bank to NatWest. 

The following changes were made to any agreement you have with Sainsbury’s Bank, that is transferring to NatWest.

All references to:

  • “Sainsbury’s Bank plc” changed to “National Westminster Bank Public Limited Company”
  • The registered address as being “33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT” changed to “250 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AA”
  • The company registration number being “3279730” changed to “00929027”
  • The financial services register number being “184514” changed to “121878”

Any reference to Sainsbury’s Bank’s address and contact details for serving legal notices in your agreement(s), has changed to NatWest’s registered address as detailed above. You’ll find more information about serving legal notices at sainsburysbank.co.uk/transfer-scheme in the complaints, disputes and claims section.

To make sure we can continue to service your account(s) until they move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, there has also been a temporary change to your terms and conditions if they contain any restrictions on a third party servicing your account(s). These restrictions no longer apply until 3 months after we stop servicing your account(s) on behalf of NatWest.

There will be no other immediate changes to the terms and conditions of your account(s). This includes interest rate(s). Although interest rates on savings accounts won’t change as a result of the transfer, they may change for other reasons, for example to reflect any movements in the Bank of England base interest rate. Any proposed changes to be made to your account(s) in the future, will be made by NatWest, and you’ll be given at least 60 days’ notice.

You’ll find more information about some of the proposed changes to your account(s) when they move on to NatWest’s systems, expected towards the end of 2025, in the ‘What will happen when my account(s) move to NatWest systems?’ section further down this page and at sainsburysbank.co.uk/transfer-scheme

What if I have an ongoing complaint, dispute or claim with Sainsbury’s Bank?

Any complaint or claim (including claims under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and chargebacks) that relates to Sainsbury’s Bank Personal Loans, Credit Cards and Savings accounts (Claim) which started before 1 May 2025 will continue to be managed by Sainsbury’s Bank until the point your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025. After this point NatWest will be your point of contact, even though the underlying claim will still be against Sainsbury’s Bank. You will receive communication with more information regarding this.

Any legal proceedings (i.e. before the courts) or pre-action steps (e.g. letters of claim or similar) which started before 1 May 2025 will continue to be managed by Sainsbury’s Bank.

Who do I contact if I have a new complaint, dispute or claim?

Until the point your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, you can continue to engage with Sainsbury’s Bank for any Claim.

After your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, NatWest will be your point of contact for any Claim arising before, on or after 1 May 2025

In circumstances where a new Claim relates to matters arising before 1 May 2025, when Sainsbury’s Bank had legal ownership of your account(s), NatWest will be responsible for the handling of those Claims.

The above applies apart from in the case of legal proceedings (i.e. before the courts and related pre-action steps e.g. letters of claim). Please see further the question below “What if I have started, or plan to start, legal proceedings (i.e. before a court)?”

Will NatWest change my terms and conditions?

It is proposed that NatWest will make changes to your terms and conditions and will let you know with at least 60 days’ notice when any proposed changes are going to be made.

You’ll find more information about some of the proposed changes to your account(s) when they move on to NatWest’s systems, expected towards the end of 2025, at sainsburysbank.co.uk/transfer-scheme

Will my credit card still work?

Yes, your credit card will still work as normal. There will be no change to the card you use and your PIN. You’ll also still be able to use Apple Pay and Google Pay as normal.

If your card expires, or is lost, stolen or damaged before your account(s) have moved on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, you’ll be issued a new Sainsbury’s Bank branded card, after that a new NatWest branded card will be issued to you. 

What if my account is in arrears?

Any agreement you have in place about repayment of debt, for example repayment plans, will continue on your existing account. You should keep making the payments you’ve agreed to. If any changes need to be made to your support arrangements in future, NatWest will let you know.

What if I’m in persistent debt?

If we’ve written to you to let you know that you’re in persistent debt, any support arrangement you have in place will continue. If any changes need to be made to your support arrangements in future, NatWest will let you know.

Can I still use Sainsbury’s Bank online banking and mobile app?

There are no immediate changes to how you use and access your account(s). You’ll still be able to access your account(s) as normal, view balances and account information. Your username, password and security details will remain the same.

Once your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, you won’t be able to use Sainsbury’s Bank’s online banking and mobile app to access your account(s) and there will be some steps you need to take to access your account(s) using NatWest’s online banking and mobile app. NatWest will be in touch with sufficient notice before then with instructions on what you need to do, including what to do if you’re already a NatWest customer.

Will the repayments on my loan change?

No. If you make your monthly repayment on time, your repayment won’t change, and as long as you don’t have any outstanding payments when your account transfers on to NatWest systems, expected towards the end of 2025, and you pay on time after that.

Will my savings interest rate change?

Interest rates won’t change as a result of the transfer but may change for other reasons, for example to reflect any movements in the Bank of England base interest rate. 
If you are on an instant, easy or defined access account you can continue to save and withdraw deposits in accordance with your terms and conditions.


If you have a fixed rate or fixed term account, the existing terms and conditions still apply, and early withdrawals are not permitted unless you want to reduce your account balance because your combined Sainsbury’s Bank, NatWest and/or Ulster Bank Northern Ireland balance would be greater than £85,000 after the transfer. In this instance, any notice period, penalties, fees and charges won’t apply if you make a withdrawal or transfer (to keep your balance within the FSCS protection limit) within a 3-month period from 1 April 2025 until 1 July 2025

If you want to transfer funds from a fixed term savings account to keep your balance within the FSCS protection limit, please call Sainsbury’s Bank on 08085 40 50 60 or NatWest on 0345 788 8444 to discuss the options available to you. 

You’ll be notified in advance about any changes that are going to be made in the future.

I have an ISA - will the transfer affect my ISA?

Any Sainsbury’s Bank ISAs you held are now NatWest ISAs and NatWest are the ISA Manager for these accounts. Other than the change of ISA Manager, your ISA will continue to operate as normal.

To make sure the tax-free status of your ISA is maintained, the ISA Manager change has been completed as part of an ISA bulk transfer managed by HMRC. If you opted out of the ISA bulk transfer, either by closing your account or sending a request to Sainsbury’s Bank to transfer your ISA to another ISA Manager, NatWest is not your ISA Manager.

If your ISA has transferred to NatWest, you’ll still be able to request an ISA transfer from NatWest to another ISA Manager at any time (subject to the applicable terms and conditions).

What will happen when my account(s) move to NatWest systems?

We expect that your account(s) will move on to NatWest systems towards the end of 2025 and over the coming months you’ll be sent detailed information on what will happen. While there may be changes to reflect the way NatWest operates and looks after your account(s), you can be assured that NatWest is working to ensure that, where possible, your new account is the same. This includes the overall amount of interest charged for credit cards, the amount of interest earned for savings, and honouring any promotional offers. 

The overall amount of interest charged for personal loans will be the same as long as you pay your loan in line with your loan agreement. If you don’t pay in line with your loan agreement, for example if there are any outstanding payments when the account transfers on to NatWest systems or payments are made late after that, there may be a slight increase in the amount of interest you are charged (you’ll find more information about this on page 32 of the Customer Booklet).

You’ll be sent information about: 
 

  • Proposed changes which will be made by NatWest to your terms and conditions to reflect the way NatWest operates and looks after your account(s). The details of the proposed changes, and the legal basis for these changes, will be outlined in a Notice of Variation that will be sent at least 60 days before any changes are made and you can see a summary of some of the proposed changes in the Customer Booklet.
  • Details on when your account(s) will be moved across to NatWest and anything that you will need to do beforehand. This will be sent at least 60 days before any changes are made.
  • How you’ll be invited to access NatWest’s online banking services and mobile app, if applicable, and any change in who you’ll need to contact about your account(s).
  • What to expect at the point your account(s) move from Sainsbury’s Bank to NatWest systems and any specific arrangements to be aware of.
  • When your NatWest loan and savings account details will be confirmed, and anything you need to know to make sure your deposits and/or payments reach your new account. Your credit card number will stay the same.

You’ll find more information on the proposed changes to credit cards, personal loans and savings accounts at sainsburysbank.co.uk/transfer-scheme

What if I don’t want my account to move to NatWest?

If you don’t want your account(s) to move on to NatWest systems, you can close them in line with your terms and conditions before they move. 

You can close your credit card account(s) but you must pay back any outstanding balance, in line with your terms and conditions. If you close your credit card account, the card will stop working immediately but you’ll still be expected to make the minimum payment each month until your balance is paid off in full. If you don’t pay your balance in full, your account will move to NatWest, and you must make at least your minimum monthly payments until it’s cleared. If you can afford to, you might want to pay more than your minimum monthly payment, as it’ll mean you pay less interest as the balance will be paid off quicker. 

You can close your loan account(s) but must pay back any outstanding balance, in line with your terms and conditions. If you close your loan account, you may be charged an early settlement fee. If you settle your loan before your account has moved onto NatWest systems, because you don’t want your account to move to NatWest, and you let Sainsbury’s Bank know by phone (at 08085 40 50 60) or secure message that this is the reason; any early settlement fee you have been charged will be refunded, usually within 24 hours.

Once your loan account has moved on to NatWest systems, early settlement fees will apply in line with your terms and conditions. If you would like to discuss any early settlement fees applied after your loan account has moved on to NatWest systems, please contact NatWest preferably by phone (at 0345 788 8444). You can also contact NatWest at natwest.com/support-centre/cora.html – chat with Cora, their digital assistant which is available 24/7. They will review whether any fees incurred should be refunded on an individual basis.

You can close your savings account(s) without any notice period, penalty fees or charges. Please call Sainsbury’s Bank on 08085 40 50 60 You’ll then be paid interest that has accrued up to the date that your account is closed. 

If you have an Individual Savings Account (ISA), you can arrange a transfer by contacting your chosen provider.

What will happen to my personal data?

NatWest became the data controller for your personal data from 1 May 2025, and is responsible for keeping your personal data safe in compliance with applicable laws. For more information about how NatWest will use your personal data, view their Privacy Notice at natwest.com/privacy-policy.html

Sainsbury’s Bank will continue to act as data processor on behalf of NatWest until your account moves to NatWest towards the end of 2025. 

  • Any information, consent, request or other notice you have received from us or provided to us, will be considered to have been given to NatWest or by NatWest.
  • Any permissions you have previously given to us to send you marketing communications will transfer to NatWest (with some exceptions explained below). This means that any reference to Sainsbury’s Bank in those permissions will include NatWest and any reference to the Sainsbury’s Group will include the NatWest Group. This means you might receive marketing communications from NatWest and NatWest’s other group companies or brands, including Coutts, Holt’s Military Bank, FreeAgent, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank Northern Ireland. The same changes will be made to any other information, consent, request or other notice previously given to you or by you.
  • Any requests to exercise your data subject rights (including data subject access requests), in relation to the personal data transferring to NatWest should be made to NatWest in accordance with its Privacy Notice at natwest.com/privacy-policy.html 

Any personal data held by Sainsbury’s Bank that is not necessary to run your transferring account(s) and relates to your historical records will not transfer to NatWest. This data will continue to be held by Sainsbury’s Bank who will continue to be the data controller for that personal data, and will be responsible for using, storing and keeping this personal data safe in compliance with applicable laws. All requests to exercise your data subject rights in relation to this personal data can continue to be made to Sainsbury’s Bank. More information on how to access historical records will be sent to you after your account(s) have moved onto NatWest systems.

If you don’t want your personal data to transfer to NatWest, you can close your account(s) and (as appropriate) pay back any outstanding balance or withdraw funds. If you close your loan account you may be charged an early settlement fee, in line with your terms and conditions. You can find out more information about this, and any refunds you may be entitled to on page 9 of the Customer Booklet.

Will my marketing permissions change?

NatWest will send you any marketing communications on the basis of the marketing permissions you provided to Sainsbury’s Bank and, if applicable, the Sainsbury’s Group before 1 May 2025.

If you’ve provided marketing permissions for the same marketing purpose(s) to Sainsbury’s Bank and NatWest, the permission you applied to NatWest will apply, even if it’s different to the one you provided to Sainsbury’s Bank. 

For example, if you have opted in to marketing from Sainsbury’s Bank in relation to financial products, but you have separately opted out of receiving direct marketing in relation to financial products from NatWest, you will not receive any marketing from NatWest in relation to financial products.

Once your account(s) move on to NatWest systems, NatWest will ask you to let them know how to contact you, this includes if you’d like to receive marketing communications.

Compensation settled by way of set-off against a loan or a credit card balance

If you raise a complaint, dispute or claim with respect to matters relating to Sainsbury’s Bank Personal Loans or Credit Cards arising before 1 May 2025, and the Financial Ombudsman Service or the court awards you compensation, you will be offered the option to set off the amount of compensation awarded against your loan or credit card balance, if this is considered an appropriate solution. This means that your debt owed to NatWest will be reduced by the amount of the compensation awarded.

Why do my usual Sainsbury’s Bank communications look different?

Sainsbury’s Bank will send some communications to you on behalf of NatWest until your account(s) move later this year. You’ll see NatWest’s logo alongside Sainsbury’s Bank’s in some of the communications we send you.

You’ll also see emails sent from Sainsbury’s Bank at the moment; however they’ll be sent from NatWest later in the year.

Who do I contact if I have any questions about my account?

Until your account(s) move, Sainsbury’s Bank will continue to be your point of contact as they are today. You’ll still be able to access your account(s) as normal in Sainsbury’s Bank’s mobile app and online banking – your username, password and security details will remain the same. We’ll share more information on how to contact NatWest before your account(s) move to NatWest systems.

Why do I need to update my contact details?

To ensure you continue to receive information and stay up to date on the important changes happening over the coming months please make sure your contact details are up to date. You can check your contact details and make changes on the 'My Details' page in online banking, or by calling Sainsbury's Bank on 08085 40 50 60

Where we can, we’ll send information about your account(s) by email, but we may still need to send some information by post.