Prime Highlight
- NatWest surpassed its £2 billion lending pledge ahead of schedule, reaching £2.84 billion in support for women-led businesses.
- The bank highlighted its long-term commitment to female entrepreneurs through specialist advisers and major initiatives like Europe’s first €500 million social bond.
Key Facts
- Over 55,900 loans averaging £50,700 were issued, with the health sector receiving the largest share of support.
- By 2023, women made up more than half of participants in NatWest’s accelerators, marking progress in a sector where female founders often face funding gaps.
Background
NatWest has reached its £2 billion lending goal for women-led businesses one year early. The bank says it has already provided £2.84 billion in funding, showing its growing support for female entrepreneurs across the UK.
The money was delivered through more than 55,900 loans, with each loan averaging £50,700. Health-related businesses received the most support, followed by leisure companies, commercial real estate, retail, and professional services. London got the largest share of loans, while the South East, North West, Scotland, and the South West also had strong activity.
Robert Begbie, CEO of NatWest Commercial & Institutional, said the achievement reflects the strength and ambition of women-led companies. He noted that the bank has built long-term support through over 1,000 Women in Business specialists and by issuing Europe’s first €500 million social bond for female-led firms.
NatWest’s efforts date back more than ten years. Its Women in Business programme, launched in 2012, helped create networks, mentoring schemes, and training partnerships, including early work with Everywoman and Inspiring Women into Enterprise. By 2023, women made up more than half of the entrepreneurs in NatWest’s accelerators, a major change in a sector where female founders still get limited funding.
During the pandemic, the bank helped women entrepreneurs by offering resilience workshops, repayment breaks, and online training. In recent years, NatWest has also partnered with Meta, Buy Women Built, and Getty Images to help women-led businesses improve their digital skills and visibility.
After surpassing its major pledge, NatWest says it will continue working with industry and government partners to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship and support long-term economic growth.
