When I first came to the UK, the first current bank account that I opened was with NatWest and I have stayed with them throughout. Being their customer for 10 years, I’ve had a lot of good experiences with them. I have no doubts I will stay with them for the foreseeable future. They might not have the best interest rate but their customer service and online banking are what continues to impress.
I still remember when I first used their telephone banking, it was so easy. When I went to Egypt, my debit card got stuck inside the cash machine and with one call, they swiftly cancelled the card. Later, I moved onto online banking and moving money in between my current account and other accounts is so easy. Checking my direct debits and creating standing orders are so easy too.
Now NatWest have introduced their mobile banking app which is easy to use, fast and secure, helping to manage money at a time and place that suits you.
The app is available to NatWest personal current account customers with debit card, Online Banking [Digital Banking] and a UK mobile number starting 07 on iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry and Windows smartphones.
Once I had downloaded the app on my iPad, I needed my Online Banking customer number, debit card details and postcode to activate and get started. To first sign up for Online Banking you need to have a NatWest account and be aged 11 or over. It takes a day to get approved and you will receive a text message to confirm you have been approved. Also don’t forget your new passcode you created for you to log in via the app.
For more information on how to download the mobile banking app and test these functions please visit http://personal.natwest.com/personal/ways-to-bank-with-us/mobile-banking.html
Once I signed in, I was able to:
- Make payments and transfers
It enables me to pay (existing accounts only) friends, family or bills and move money between accounts. Selecting the account you would like to transfer from and then select the person/bill. Once done, I just need to confirm and it transfer/pay.
- Check account balances on-the-go
Once you log in, it will show you your accounts (current/ISA/savings etc.). Select the account you want to view and it will show you a list of SIX transitions on your mini statement.
- Get cash out without your card
To use Get cash you must have at least £25 available funds to withdraw from your account (including any overdraft facility) and the amount requested must be within the daily withdrawal limit of your debit card-there is a maximum daily withdrawal limit of £250. The Get cash code itself is valid for 3 hours and you can use this service up to twice a day at a Natwest, RBS or Tesco cashpoint. Note, you can only have one cash code at any one time.
Personally I have not used this service but can see that this might be useful if I forget to take my cash card out.
Besides that I am also able to set up Mobile Top up. You need to get an activation code which they will send to your mobile phone. Once done, you can add up to four numbers for mobile top up.
NatWest have kindly sent us a pack of parenting tricks to give us a helping hand! These are their suggestions:
- Stop lolly mess with a cupcake holder
Devilishly simple, say bye-bye to sticky fingers and messy clothes this summer by poking the lolly stick through the middle of your cupcake case and hey presto, no more dribbles!
- Catch messy drips with a shower curtain
Place a shower curtain underneath your activity table to catch drips and spills.
- Cut a sticker in half to show your child the right foot for their shoes
Little ones don’t know their left from their right? Try cutting a sticker in half and placing them on the inner soles of the shoes. When they put them together a special picture will appear, as if by magic! 
- Use an egg box for kid’s card games
Cards too big for little fingers to hold? Avoid hocus pocus and make children’s card games simpler by cutting slits in the base of your egg box for fuss-free fun! 
- Try a lidded plastic cup for spill-free painting
If art time tends to create more mess than magic, try pouring poster paints into lidded plastic cups. The straw hole is just the right size to allow for a point brush to be dipped into the point! 
What great ideas! Thanks to NatWest, I have learnt a few more practical parenting tricks!
This coming Tuesday 24th June come and join Britmums over on Twitter from 1 – 2 pm to chat about your everyday parenting tricks. Use hashtag mobile #MumsMagicTricks to join in!
Disclosure: This project is in conjunction with BritMums for their #MumsMagicTricks challenge with NatWest.
