Barclays Bank PLC vs NatWest
Barclays Bank has a blended long-term credit rating of A+ and NatWest AA-, so NatWest is rated 1 notch higher. Barclays Bank and NatWest hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately. In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 57% of NatWest's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; Barclays Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, Barclays Bank received 9.26 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and NatWest 2.74.
Barclays Bank PLC
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
NatWest
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Rating History Comparison
Comparison Summary
| Metric | Barclays Bank PLC | NatWest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Rating | A+ | AA- | NatWest 1 notch higher |
| Normalized Score | 82 | 83 | -1 points |
| Agencies | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | Same |
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Same |
| Trend | NEW |
Different | |
| Investment Grade | Yes | Yes | Same |
Service record and deposit protection
| Measure | Barclays Bank | NatWest |
|---|---|---|
| Would recommend for overall service (CMA survey, Aug 2026, personal, GB) | not surveyed | 57% (rank 12 of 17) |
| Would recommend for online and mobile banking | not surveyed | 70% (rank 11= of 17) |
| Banking complaints per 1,000 accounts (FCA) | 9.26 (2026 H1) | 2.74 (2026 H1) |
| Complaints upheld by the bank | 55% | 55% |
| Major operational or security incidents reported to the FCA, last 12 months | not collected | 13 (to Jun 2026) |
| Banking licence (FCA reference) | 122702 | 121878 |
Barclays Bank and NatWest hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Survey: CMA / Ipsos, share of each brand's own customers who would recommend it (full rankings). Complaints: FCA firm-level data for the licence holder (all banks). Incidents: figures each bank must publish under the FCA's BCOBS 7 rules (all banks). A service score is about experience, not financial strength.Frequently asked questions
Is Barclays Bank or NatWest financially stronger?
Barclays Bank has a blended long-term credit rating of A+ and NatWest AA-, so NatWest is rated 1 notch higher. A credit rating is an agency's opinion of a bank's ability to repay its debts, not a guarantee, and it says nothing about service.
Do Barclays Bank and NatWest share FSCS protection?
Barclays Bank and NatWest hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Which has better customer service, Barclays Bank or NatWest?
In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 57% of NatWest's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; Barclays Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, Barclays Bank received 9.26 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and NatWest 2.74. A service score reflects customers' experience, not the bank's financial strength.
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