Guide to sending large payments with NatWest Business UK, including transfer limits

For many UK businesses, sending large payments is a common part of their day-to-day operations and it’s not just about speed - it’s about control, auditability and reliability (plus costs). Whether for high-value supplier contracts, moving funds between group entities or something else, established processes can be just as important as convenience.

NatWest Business is one of the UK’s longest-standing business banking providers. In this guide, we take a look at how NatWest Business large transfers work, and how businesses can structure payments securely and efficiently.

We’ll also explore where NatWest may be less flexible and when an alternative provider such as Wise Business can be useful.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Can you use NatWest Business for large transfers?

Yes, NatWest Business can handle large transfers, both within the UK and overseas. Its infrastructure is designed for businesses that regularly send high-value payments and require clear authorisation and audit trails.

What’s more, unlike many digital-only accounts, NatWest supports a range of domestic and international payment systems. It also offers additional controls that businesses with multiple users or formal finance processes may find useful.

See how to open a Natwest Business Account here..

How NatWest Business handles large payments

NatWest Business supports several payment routes,¹ each designed for different payment priorities. This includes:

Faster Payments

Used for most routine UK business transfers, Faster Payments are processed quickly. This makes them suitable for everyday payments as well as higher-value domestic transfers.

CHAPS

For certain NatWest Business large transfers, CHAPS is used. This system is typically used for transactions where same-day settlements are required such as property transactions and other large asset purchases.

CHAPS payments are processed during UK banking hours and generally irreversible so there is a strong emphasis on payment authorisation and verification.

International payments

NatWest Business also supports international payments via the SWIFT network as well as SEPA payments, which is a Euro payment made between members of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).²

However businesses should know that these payments may involve intermediary banks, which can affect both costs and delivery times.²

For businesses making occasional international payments, this functionality may be sufficient. But for frequent or high-value cross-border transfers, businesses may be better off with an alternative payment solution.

💡 Read more about: UK Business Bank Account Fees

Is NatWest Business safe for large payments?

Yes, NatWest is a fully licensed UK bank. This means that eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).³

There is also a strong focus on payment controls and governance within NatWest. This includes:

• Authentication for online and app-based access
• Transaction monitoring
• Multi-user access with configurable permissions and approval workflows for high-value payments.

These features can be particularly useful if you need to separate payment initiation from authorisation, and can also help to reduce the risk of errors and fraud.

Businesses sending large payments through NatWest should also be proactive in their own security measures. For example, reviewing beneficiary details carefully and keeping clear internal records to help prevent mistakes and aid reconciliation.

If your company has multiple users, it may be that you have someone to initiate payments and someone else to check details. This can reduce the risk of errors and fraud.

If a payment does fall outside of your usual activity, contacting NatWest support in advance can help to prevent additional checks from delaying settlement.

How to make a large payment with NatWest Business?

Large payments can be made via NatWest’s online banking platform and app. Typically, users must:

1. Log in to NatWest Business Online Banking
2. Create a payment and enter beneficiary details
3. Select the payment method and amount
4. Submit the payment for approval (if applicable)
5. Authorise and release the payment

Businesses with multiple users may have one or more approvals, depending on account settings.

How long do NatWest Business UK large payments take?

The time it takes for your money to reach an account depends on the payment value and type, as well as when the transfer is submitted.

Payment type	Processing time	Notes
Faster Payments⁴	Usually immediate	Can take up to 2 hours
Faster Payments after 6:30pm, weekends or Bank Holidays⁴	Next working day	Funds leave account immediately, but date shown is next working day
CHAPS⁵	Same working day	Cut-off is 5:30pm, after this it is processed next working day
International payments⁶	Same day to 2 business days	Timing depends on destination

As long as you have enough money in your chosen account, the transfer will take place immediately.⁴ Faster Payments can’t be recalled or cancelled once it’s been sent. Instead, you’d have to contact the payee and ask them to send it back to you.

Transactions out of normal activity will undergo further investigation by NatWest, which can add to the processing time.

What are the NatWest Business transfer limits?

Provided you have sufficient funds in your account, the following payment limits apply:⁷

• A minimum of £0.01 in any case
• A maximum of £50,000.00 per day for business customers

These limits are per working day, however, so payments made over the weekend or on a Bank Holiday will form part of the allowance for the next working day.

Businesses that regularly need to make transactions greater than the maximum amount should either set up additional payments over subsequent days or speak to a NatWest advisor.

Those who need to make an urgent payment will need to request a CHAPS payment at an in-person branch.

What are the NatWest Business fees for large transfers?

Before sending any money, businesses should be aware of the associated fees and charges.⁸

Payment type	Typical NatWest Business UK large transfer fee
UK Faster Payments	£1
UK CHAPS	£25 to £30
International SWIFT payments	£15 to £25

In relation to international payments, there may also be intermediary bank fees which can affect the total cost of a transfer.

When NatWest Business might not be suitable

While NatWest is a popular choice for everyday business banking, there are instances where it might fall short. This includes for businesses that:

• Want an app-only banking experience
• Send frequent international payments and want transparent FX pricing
• Need to hold and manage multiple currencies in a single account
• Prefer minimal approval steps for payments

In these cases, it may be that your business would benefit from a complementary tool rather than replacing NatWest entirely.

💡 Compare: Natwest Business vs Starling

NatWest Business UK alternative: use Wise Business for large and international transfers

NatWest Business is well-suited to organisations that value reliability and structured payment processes. However, for those that prioritise ease and cost transparency for international payments, its traditional banking model might feel restrictive. That’s why so many choose to pair NatWest Business with a specialist provider like Wise Business.

Wise Business offers:

• High transfer limits for large international payments
• Transparent pricing with the mid-market exchange rate
• Faster cross-border transfers without multiple intermediaries
• The ability to hold and manage multiple currencies

It also has a dedicated secure service for sending large payments. Transfer limits depend on what currency is being sent, here's a few of the most popular:

• GBP - £20 million GBP per transfer
• EUR - €20 million EUR per transfer
• USD - $20 million USD when paying from your USD account, $1.6 million per SWIFT transfer.

It’s worth knowing that Wise offers discounts for sending large amounts over £20,000 (or the currency equivalent). The more you send, the more you save.

💸 On a £50k transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank 💸

See High Amount Transfer Comparison 2026 for more info.

Best of all, you can sign up for a Wise Business account online in minutes.

Register with Wise Business🚀

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

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Sources used:

1. NatWest - Faster Payments and CHAPS
2. NatWest - International Payments
3. NatWest - FSCS
4. NatWest - Understanding Payments
5. NatWest - Payment Timeline
6. NatWest - International Payment Time
7. NatWest - Transfer Limits
8. NatWest - Business Account Charges

Sources last checked on date: 26-Jan-2026