NatWest surpasses its £2bn lending target to female-led businesses ahead of schedule
NatWest is proud to announce it has exceeded its ambitious target of lending £2bn to female-led businesses by the end of 2025, reaching an impressive £2.84bn across more than 55,900 loans – well ahead of schedule. This milestone underscores NatWest’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs across the UK.
The data reveals strong demand for funding by female led businesses from a wide range of sectors. The top five sectors receiving support were 1) Health, 2) Leisure, 3) Commercial Real Estate, 4) Retail and 5) Professional Services. Regionally lending was highest in London, closely followed by South-East, North-West, Scotland and the South-West, highlighting the vital contribution women-run firms make to local economies across the country
Robert Begbie, CEO, NatWest Commercial & Institutional, said: “We’re proud to be one of the leading banks in the UK for backing women in business. Surpassing our £2bn investment target ahead of schedule shows the strength and ambition of female-led companies. Our commitment is long-standing, with over 1,000 Women in Business specialists, more than half of our accelerator founders being women, and the launch of the first ever €500 million social bond for female-led businesses.”
Since launching the NatWest Women in Business programme in 2012, the bank has been dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs through access to finance, mentorship, and tailored networks. Early collaborations with Everywoman and initiatives such as the Inspiring Women into Enterprise programme laid the foundation for a robust support network.
By 2023, NatWest was recognised as one of the UK’s largest supporters of female entrepreneurs, with over 50% of its support going to women-led businesses. The impact is evident across a broad range of sectors, with health, leisure, and commercial real estate seeing the most activity. The support spanned many regions, with London, the South-East, and North-West leading in lending.
Over the years, NatWest has expanded its reach through regional events, strategic partnerships, and initiatives like the Economic Blueprint for Women and the Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship. These efforts have sparked national conversations about equity and opportunity for women in business.
During challenging times, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, NatWest responded with tailored support, including loan repayment holidays, resilience workshops, and virtual training sessions. As a founding member of the Investing in Women Code, the bank has driven transparency and accountability in financial support for female entrepreneurs.
Recent partnerships with platforms like Meta, Buy Women Built, and the Getty Images Female Focus Campaign have provided female entrepreneurs with digital marketing training, greater visibility, and authentic representation in business imagery. The bank’s ring-fenced funding for female entrepreneurs has grown, and programmes like the Begin Programme have been launched to support women at the start of their entrepreneurial journeys.
As NatWest looks back with pride on its achievements, the bank remains committed to championing women entrepreneurs and continuing its work with key partners to provide ongoing support, visibility, and funding opportunities.