FCE Bank plc vs NatWest
FCE Bank has a blended long-term credit rating of BBB and NatWest AA-, so NatWest is rated 5 notches higher. FCE 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; FCE Bank is not one of the brands surveyed.
FCE Bank plc
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
NatWest
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Rating History Comparison
Comparison Summary
| Metric | FCE Bank plc | NatWest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Rating | BBB | AA- | NatWest 5 notches higher |
| Normalized Score | 58 | 83 | -25 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 | FCE 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) | not published | 2.74 (2026 H1) |
| Complaints upheld by the bank | 61% | 55% |
| Major operational or security incidents reported to the FCA, last 12 months | not collected | 13 (to Jun 2026) |
| Banking licence (FCA reference) | 204469 | 121878 |
FCE 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 FCE Bank or NatWest financially stronger?
FCE Bank has a blended long-term credit rating of BBB and NatWest AA-, so NatWest is rated 5 notches 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 FCE Bank and NatWest share FSCS protection?
FCE 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, FCE Bank or NatWest?
In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 57% of NatWest's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; FCE Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. A service score reflects customers' experience, not the bank's financial strength.
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