NatWest Online Banking Strategy
By: Naja Faysal
CIM/ Professional Development Award in E-marketing
Cambridge Marketing College
…………………………
Communication Executive
Leo Burnett – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
…………………………
Bachelor Degree in Communication Arts – Advertising and Marketing
Notre Dame University – Lebanon
Cambridge Marketing College
E-marketing Award – Assignment 2
Written in Dubai on the 21st of March, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Executive Summary
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Discussion / Body
4.0 Services and products
a. Personal banking
b. Private banking
c. Business Banking
d. Commercial Banking
5.0 CRM
6.0 Achieving Usability through Distinctive Design
7.0 Communication Tactics – Explaining the services in an appealing
fashion
8.0 Delivering Trust through Bricks-and-clicks online integration
9.0 Partnerships and Cross Selling
10.0 Conclusions
11.0 Recommendations
12.0 Bibliography
13.0 References

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NatWest Bank is a leading UK bank that belongs to the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Natwest.com is the online banking service for NatWest customers offering a variety of
services and products. The purpose of this report is to explain how NatWest used the web
for both providing service to existing customers at the same time as cross selling other
finance products and services as an additional “route to market”.
The significant part about NatWest.com is its simple design and tone of language, where
site visitors can navigate through the website and easily find the information they are
looking for. The approach to design goes even further by providing useful and relevant
educational guides and tips for each target segments according to what type of banking
they are using. In addition, a very well crafted customer centric approach, putting the
customer on top of everything, which leads to an amazing e-CRM strategy and using
technology to provide an added value. All of the above were able to leverage the online
experience of the site visitors makes them get the most of their online journey.
Important to mention is how the website responds to the behavior of the local UK
customer base, especially by assuring the physical presence either through direct phone
numbers or finding the nearest branch. Also, a key to NatWest’s success was in
establishing key partnerships and building lasting relationships that were so much of
value to their customers.
We were able finally in this report to give a picture of how success can look like in the
online banking business; a highly competitive marketplace that requires giant efforts to
keep up with the pace of technological advancements and consumer demands. A
customer who is holding the rein, has far greater control over relationships, more choice
over channels, and can demand better service.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
NatWest Bank was founded in the year 1968 when the National Provincial Bank
(est.1833) and Westminster Bank (est.1836) merged. In March 2000, The Royal Bank of
Scotland Group completed the acquisition of NatWest in a £21 billion deal that was the
largest take-over in British banking history. NatWest is now part of one of the world's
largest financial services groups
In January 1997, NatWest launched an online banking service, following the completion
of a two-year PC home banking trial. The service allows customers to access personal,
business and credit card accounts; however the company decided not to offer the service
via the internet because customers indicated that they would not use it because of the risk
of people hacking into their bank accounts. So the service started instead via a direct link
telephone line and modem hooked up to a PC.
NatWest today offers NatWest.com, one of the fastest growing online banking services in
the UK. The number of people signing up for the service was surpassing expectations and
clearly shows that NatWest.com can help customers manage their finances at a time of
their choosing.
Not only this, but also NatWest has launched what it claims is the first international
money transfer service over mobile phones offered by a UK bank to add to its success
another story and to further embrace technology to deliver convenience to customers.
The purpose of this report is to explain how NatWest used the web for both providing
service to existing customers at the same time as cross selling other finance products and
services as an additional “route to market”.

3.0 SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
Quality product, quality service, and quality sites are basic prerequisites to achieve
online customer loyalty. Reward schemes can also be used to enhance loyalty. (E-
marketing Essentials - third edition, by Dave Chaffey)
NatWest.com achieved 9/10 for interactivity, 8/10 for content, navigation and speed by
Lafferty's Internet Ratings which ranks Europe's leading financial services websites. The
site visitors can easily navigate through out the 4 banking services listed below:
o Personal Banking
o Private Banking
o Business Banking
o Commercial Banking
Later on the report will explain how NatWest used the internet to deliver services to its
customers, whether they were ordinary people, VIPs, Businesses or Brokers. NatWest
used a different approach to each target segment to disseminate different messages.
Now talking about the website structure, it is clearly identified that the log in panel is on
the top-right corner all the time. It is clearly differentiated in colour and design with a
“key” sign to get you the message right away.
Another fixed part of the template is the search area in the top-right corner (right above
the log-in panel). Next to the search area there is another fixed navigation bar with the
following tabs:
o Accessibility: in this page, NatWest posted its commitment to making the site
more accessible and support the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). The product
directory has been designed to meet the WAI recommendations. In the page as
well, there is a list of Browsers that are compatible with the website, a Keyword
shortcuts, in branch information, tips on using cash machines, information about
using telephone banking. Also, very important in this page is the information

about special services designed for Customers with Visual Impairments and
Customers with Hearing Impairments.
o Contact us: in this page, NatWest posts a list of Toll-Free phone numbers for each
department. Also different contact numbers for each banking type whether
personal, private, business or commercial. Moreover, there are links to find your
branch and complaint procedure information.
o Nearest branch: this page helps customers to find branches for NatWest that are
most close to their location. They can even sort their search according to the
services these branches offer and don’t offer.
Another part of the template is the bottom bar containing the following:
o Website terms and conditions: this contains legal information about the content
used in the website. It also contains information about exclusion of liability,
personal data, copyright, trade marks, advice, changes to this website, telephone
calls, internet communications, Australian residents, regulatory information, and
general information.
o Privacy: here NatWest explains the use of cookies. They identify all types of
cookies they are using and the third parties monitoring them. They even inform
site visitors how to disable the cookies.
o Security: here site visitors get information about how to spot common scams, how
the NatWest website can protect the customers, how to protect their computers
and how to report a fraud.
o Affiliates (see section 3.8 Partnerships and affiliates)
o Media: here there are useful links to websites for press releases and other
important information for media reporters
o About us: here is the history and some other recruitment information
o Glossary: here the abbreviations and the terminologies are identified and
explained

a. PERSONAL BANKING
The personal banking tab is the home page of NatWest.com. Here are the majority of the
customers. Right below the main navigation bar, another navigation bar is there for quick
reach of specific pages that customers might need to go to at any time. Then goes an
animated pink colored banner, the site is simple and clear. Below the banner and without
having to scroll down, all related services will appear in boxes with headlines and sub
headlines. Basically, these services that are most used by the customers and they need to
find them as soon as they log in to the website.
The personal banking page is the richest page on the website. It provides all the services
the customers might need. So if they want to use the online banking, they can easily click
on the panel to direct them to a secure page for loging in. If they want some advice on
wealth management they can click into money sense panel where they can benefit from a
lot of guides and tips. Not only this, they can speak to professional advisors at any time.
Another panel for the internet-based tax-free savings using the e-ISA where people can
benefit of a tax free on their savings through an internet based model. Also here, visitors
can find their nearest branch.
On the personal banking page as well, there is another panel (under the 4 boxes) where
customers can check into important links. These links are categorized by
o Important Information
o Help & Guides
o Security and Safety
o Ways to bank with us
This section is absolutely a value added service to the customers. It shows a great deal of
taking care of them and providing all the information they might need in their experience
on the web.
Finally, at the bottom of the page there is a small explanation of the key terms of the
navigation (the one right below the main navigation bar).

b. PRIVATE BANKING
The private banking is designed for customers who expect superior service,
excellent products and the very best value from their bank. This is how
NatWest Private Banking page welcomes its VIP customers. On this page,
important customers are rewarded by exclusive benefits. They are also provided
by information about products and services that develop their wealth and make
the most of their banking experience. Also there is a dedicated contact us
section for private customers.
c. BUSINESS BANKING
NatWest Business Banking is a very rich site for budding entrepreneurs. The site
provides free e-courses on setting up a business plus a free of charge award-winning
business software. It also provides an online library of Business Guides and expert tips
and guidance on everything such as e-marketing, managing your finances, conducting a
reality check on your new business idea and developing a business plan in the easiest and
quickest way with the NatWest Business Planner.
The business banking site is divided into 3 main parts:
o Day to Day: The day to day deals with current accounts, payment management,
sign up for online/phone banking, insurance and protection, international
services, industry and community services and carbon offset
o Borrow: The borrow part deals with business overdraft, cards, loans, financing
and mortgages.
o Save and invest: the save and invest part deals with instant access accounts,
deposit account and bonds.
On this site, more banner ads are displayed offering business services that we will talk
about in section 3.2 Cross Selling

d. COMMERCIAL BANKING
On the commercial banking page, there are 4 main sections:
o Financing
o Liquidity
o International
o Payments
o Online services
o Managing risk
In addition, with NatWest OnLine, real-time share dealing is just a click away through
the stockbroker button on natwest.com. A simple and easy to use share dealing service
[available as part of NatWest Stockbrokers BrokerLine Service] enabling investors to
place deals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During market hours, deals in over 1,000
leading UK stocks will usually be traded instantly, with deals going straight through to
the market. Commission rates are competitive and investors can choose whether to hold
their stock in certificates or electronically, using a nominee or CREST personal member
facility, for which there are no additional set-up or ongoing costs. There is also free
access to share prices, company information and market news.
Very important to mention that on this micro site, there is a feedback panel asking
visitors to participate in a survey about their online experience. Another panel inviting
people to subscribe to a business magazine (Commercial Sense)

4.0 E-CRM
A recent customer relationship management (CRM) initiative by NatWest Cards required
unprecedented co-operation between the bank's marketing and IT departments, according
to Tony Davis, head of customer marketing for NatWest Card Services.
Operations and finance teams were also involved, making project management of the
CRM implementation all the more important. The company has a long-established CRM
strategy, but like many types of businesses it is moving from paper, telephones, and
simple computer databases to integrated, Internet-based CRM.
NatWest's Davis said: "The system can be scaled for the Internet and other interactive
media. For example, we're looking at the customisation of Web sites as they're used by
certain individuals. Also, of course, there's email. We'd all like to ditch some of the very
expensive direct marketing programmes for email marketing."
To make this happen, NatWest partnered up with Prime Response Inc. which is
consistently recognized as a leading integrated eMarketing Automation visionary in the
fast-growing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) industry, with customers
include blue-chip, consumer-oriented companies in the financial services,
communications, retail/e-commerce and transportation and leisure areas such as
AirTouch, Allianz, The Associates, British Airways, Credit Suisse, CVS, Deutsche Bank,
E*TRADE, Fiat, KPN, Mattel Interactive, MediaOne, NatWest, 1-800-Flowers,
priceline.com and UPS. Partners include Andersen Consulting, Fair Isaac, HP, IBM,
Microstrategy, SAS Institute, and Sun Microsystems.
NatWest Cards is one of the first organizations to quantify the impact of deploying its
CRM strategy and demonstrate a strengthened relationship with its customers. Through
its use of Prime Response's (NASDAQ, EASDAQ: PRME), integrated marketing
solution, Prime Vantage, NatWest Cards is capable of developing and executing one-to-
one marketing programs across all customer touch points. In its initial use of the solution,
NatWest Cards created targeted marketing campaigns to its customer base and early
results show a healthy customer profit uplift through increased card usage. The company

is now able to execute more relevant and event-related marketing programs, enabling it to
create a measurable difference in customer behaviour.
NatWest achieved a total Return on Investment in the Prime Response product suite
within one year, illustrating the success of its CRM program facilitated by implementing
Prime Response's integrated marketing software solution.
Tony Davis, head of customer marketing, NatWest Card Services, commented, "These
initial results are critical in demonstrating to the business, evidence of the value to be
created through a truly customer-centric approach. Our CRM strategy is all about
recognizing customer differences and offering a unique mix of contacts and offers which
motivate mutually rewarding behaviours. The Prime Vantage solution allows us to link
our segmentation and segment strategies with the operating platforms, which drive
customer contacts. Customers clearly appreciate it when we demonstrate an
understanding of their needs and we are delighted with the early results."
NatWest Cards' Customer Relationship Management strategy is increasingly seen as
ground breaking in the UK, building relevant propositions and dialogue based upon its
wealth of customer information.
5.0 ACHIEVING USABILITY THROUGH DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
There is no wonder why NatWest.com is so successful. The website is carefully designed
to create an experience that helps customers make sense of the products and services
available to them. The design is clean and simple, combining an understanding of
consumer buying habits with a simple hierarchy of navigational signage. Clear
signposting for online banking, consistent link language and simple product tables all
make the experience far more enjoyable. After the transformation to this new design, the
results were immediate, 120% increase in account activation for Savings and 30%
increase in account activation for Current Accounts.

6.0 COMMUNICATION TACTICS – EXPLAINING THE
SERVICES IN AN APPEALING FASHION
Communicating language was very well crafted on NatWest website. Not only it is clear,
accurate and transparent but also brief and very simple to understand. In addition, it is
friendly, open and approachable and it engages and inspire the consumer… A lot of
examples can be found, for instance:
e-ISA
Internet-based, tax-efficient savings
Why pay tax on your savings interest? e-ISA gives you up to 3.51% AER (variable),
and the taxman doesn't get a penny.
Another important point that appears in NatWest communication language is the use of
the terms “safe” and “secure” to assure people that their money is with good hands and to
establish trust with them to invest more into the relationship.
For example:
Online Banking:
Manage your money 24/7, using our safe and secure service
7.0 DELIVERING TRUST THROUGH BRICKS-AND-CLICKS
ONLINE INTEGRATION
For the people who still have limited trust with the digital medium, NatWest
integrated the physical evidence clearly and boldly in their website. On the top
right navigation bar for instance, there is a fixed link to a page where
consumers can find their nearest branch. The same link is found on many other
pages through out the website especially on the personal banking page.

In addition to the “find your nearest branch” page, visitors can always find toll-free
numbers where they can call for any reason. There are also professional advisers a phone
call away for people who need long term help managing their finances.
8.0 PARTNERSHIPS AND CROSS SELLING
Partnerships are an important part of today’s marketing mix. The same is true online.
Resources must be devoted to managing your online partners. Many large organizations
have specific staff to manage these relationshops. In smaller organizations it is often
neglected – a big missed opportunity. There are three key types of online partnerships
that need to be managed:
o Link-building
o Affiliate marketing
o Online sponsorships
All should involve a structured approach to managing links through to your site.
(E-marketing Excellence by Dave Chaffey, page 310)
Link-building: NatWest is listed at the top results in most search engines. Thanks to the
leading quality links to the website. NatWest link is available in most financial related
websites in the UK, for instance e-banking.co.uk and knowyourmoney.co.uk place
information about NatWest including a link to the NatWest website. Also NatWest is
available in many price comparison portals including Yahoo Finance.
Affiliates marketing: NatWest established an Affiliate Programme inviting people to
become part of its ongoing success in providing financial services to the millions that use
them. This programme offers a wide range of products and services for Personal,
Business and Corporate customers. There is no cost in becoming an affiliate and what
affiliates need to do to earn extra revenue is to promote NatWest products & services on
their website.
Benefits are summarized below:
• Earn extra revenue
• Easy to sign-up
• Choice of product

Online Sponsorships: Where it was hard for us to track the pure online sponsorships of
NatWest, it was quite obvious that NatWest throughout the years has signed many
sponsorship agreements including pure online and mixed (online and offline). For
instance NatWest was the main sponsor for the India vs England cricket series
broadcasted on multichannel TVs and on google videos. Also NatWest organizes and
sponsors the Islands Games with a purpose of bringing the Islands together for the benefit
of sport and for the continuing personal development of everyone concerned.
Moreover, NatWest.com has teamed up with one of the biggest names in the Internet
world - Yahoo! UK & Ireland - plus IBM and BT - to bring banking and Internet services
together in one place, including:
• Free Internet banking for NatWest personal and small business customers, where
customers can still use branches, telephone banking and cash machines
• Real-time Internet share-dealing for any private investor, as a part of NatWest
Stockbrokers' Brokerline Service1, where investors didn't have to bank with
NatWest
• Free Internet access with NatWest OnLine with a NatWest/Yahoo! home page,
natwest.yahoo.co.uk, giving customers the choice of banking online and surfing
the Internet from just one location
• Access to My Yahoo! (voted Financial Times Website of the Decade) - where
customers can personalise their home page so that all your favourite information
is displayed as soon as they log on, including their NatWest account balance(s)
and five most recent transactions. NatWest is the first bank in Europe to offer this
service
• Access to Yahoo! Finance where customers can view their account balance(s) and
last 25 transactions
• Yahoo! UK and Ireland's web guide and news headlines, and customers can
access all the other Yahoo! services such as e-mail, share prices and sport.
Moreover, in 2001, NatWest signed a partnership with Internet company
Domainnames.com to provide a domain name registration option to the bank's SME
customers, at a discount rate. Domiannames.com - a Verisign company - offered NatWest
SME customers a full domain name registration service at a 15 per cent discount.

NatWest has also provided the SME’s the BusinessEdge (NWBE) service, which was
launched in June 2000. The NWBE provides its existing 850,000 business customers with
support required to enable their online business, offering them email and a guide to e-
business and website services.
Going back to cross selling, it is important to note how significantly the NatWest website
is designed to deliver the service required by the customers and at the same time cross
selling other products and services like insurance, credit cards, loans, tax-free e-accounts
(cash ISA), security software (Rapport, from the financial security experts at Trusteer)
and professional consultancy.
9.0 CONCLUSIONS
After looking deep into the NatWest website, we can conclude the following key findings
that were crucial for the success of NatWest:
o The website’s design is clean and simple, combining an understanding of consumer
buying habits with a simple hierarchy of navigational signage
o Not only the website provides essential online banking services like account details,
transfer…etc, but also it provides valuable financial advice that helps customers
making decisions and managing their wealth
o The commitment to lead in innovation and technology to provide convenience to its
customers. The CRM initiative is a good example.
o NatWest was able to leverage the online experience of the site visitors by providing
extra services and products that each target segment most probably will need at a
certain time. Also very important that many services and guides are provided for
free.
o Their integrated physical proof gives people the trust to pursue online banking at
ease
o NatWest were very successful in establishing partnerships and relationships that
were valuable to their customers. Yahoo is a great example. In addition, their
affiliate programme helps promoting NatWest products online in an efficient way.
o The tone of communication on site engages with customers in a friendly way,
making reading through the website an enjoyable experience

10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
NatWest needs to engage passive site visitors. The NatWest.com is established with
valuable links and well optimized for most search engines. This means, a lot of potential
subscribers might be visiting the website to read through the information presented.
However, the website doesn’t actually engage with those visitors. A newsletter
subscription would be a great idea. First, we need to encourage visitors to register using
rewards and prizes and then build a profiled data base of people who we can push
promotional messages and customize offers to cater their specific needs. The important
attribute of this idea is that these people are really interested in such service, because they
chose to click on the NatWest website.

11.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
e-Business and e-Commerce Management (third edition) by Dave Chaffey
eMarketing eXcellence: Planning and Optimising Your Digital Marketing (Emarketing
Essentials) (third edition) by Dave Chaffey
12.0 REFERENCES
http://management.silicon.com/itdirector/0,39024673,11015311,00.htm [Accessed
21/3/2009]
http://www.silicon.com/search/?q=NatWest+strikes+deal+in+the+name+of+SMEs+onlin
e&c=news&ss=date [Accessed 21/3/2009]
http://www.harvestdigital.com/work/project/natwest-personal-banking [Accessed
21/3/2009]
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/54710/NatWest-offers-banking-via-
PC?DCMP=ILC-BETASEARCH [Accessed 21/3/2009]
http://code95.com/blog/archives/10379 [Accessed 21/3/2009]
http://www.natwest.com/microsites/business/start_up/index.asp?DCMP=OTC-
startupFURL [Accessed 21/3/2009]
http://www.newlifenetwork.co.uk/natwest-i276.html [Accessed 21/3/2009]
http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/marketing-techniques/6419674-1.html
[Accessed 21/3/2009]

http://www.natwest.com/global/about-us.ashx?channel=personal [Accessed 21/3/2009]
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_April_11/ai_61421927 [Accessed
21/3/2009]
http://www.natwest.com/global/affiliates/programme.ashx [Accessed 22/3/2009]
http://www.e-banking.co.uk/companies/NatWest-Bank.html [Accessed 24/3/2009]
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6607850552238709779 [Accessed
24/3/2009]
http://www.knowyourmoney.co.uk/natwest-classic-credit-card-review/ [Accessed
24/3/2009]
http://www.islandgames.net/ [Accessed 24/3/2009]
http://www.natwest.com/global/security/security-centre/security-advice/protect-
yourself/computer/rapport.ashx?DCMP=ILC-T2TrustBnr [Accessed 24/3/2009]