NatWest Group has announced it is expanding its workplace financial education initiative with the launch of a new investment-focused workshop, as the bank looks to address gaps in financial confidence across the UK.

The new session, part of NatWest’s free Financial Foundations programme, will roll out nationwide from May and aims to help participants understand the basics of investing alongside core skills such as budgeting, saving and long-term financial planning.

The move builds on plans announced earlier this year to extend the programme to reach 50,000 people across workplaces, charities and community groups during 2026. To support the expansion, the bank is training more than 300 additional facilitators, adding to an existing network of around 400 colleagues delivering in-person workshops across the UK.

NatWest said the initiative responds to strong demand for workplace-based financial education. A survey of 5,000 UK adults commissioned by the bank in March found that 58 per cent would be likely to take part in an investing session if offered by their employer, with those under 35 twice as likely to believe employers should provide financial education compared with older respondents.

NatWest delivered 1,500 Financial Foundations workshops last year, reaching more than 31,000 participants, with feedback indicating 92 per cent would recommend the sessions and 90 per cent felt more confident managing their finances afterwards.

The programme forms part of the bank’s wider Growing Together strategy, which includes efforts to boost financial confidence, support regional growth and improve access to financial guidance.

Paul Thwaite, chief executive of NatWest Group, said that household saving and investment decisions play a critical role in the economy, yet too many people still feel uncertain or excluded from the knowledge and tools required to successfully make those decisions as part of their long-term financial planning.

“A strong economy needs financial confidence and capability – the knowledge and skills that help people and families budget, save, invest and plan for the future,” he added. “Building a stronger culture of financial confidence across the full spectrum, from everyday budgeting and on to saving and investing, starts with education, whether in schools, workplaces or at key life moments.”

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