New restrictions have come into effect for UK bank accounts, with customers receiving emails about the change. As of April this year, account providers are now obliged to give at least 90 days' notice to a customer when they plan to close their bank account. This extends the minimum notice period from the previous two months' notice.
Purpose of the change
The purpose of the change is to help protect customers from being 'de-banked'. With the longer period, people will have more time to challenge a decision to close their account if they want to, such as by appealing to the Financial Ombudsman Service. They will also have more time to open an account with another bank and move their funds there, if their previous account is ultimately closed for good.
The rules state that the 90-day rule only applies to "contracts agreed from and including 28th April 2026". However, banks can opt to apply the extended period to their older existing accounts as well if they choose to.
Email messages going out
A NatWest customer shared how they were sent an email from the provider on July 27 saying their account would be subject to the new 90-day rule, even though it was opened prior to April 2026. The email update from NatWest said: "New rules introduced in April 2026 mean that if we ever need to close your account, we'll give you at least 90 days' notice and explain why. In some limited situations, this may not apply.
"We've updated your terms to reflect this." The email included a link to two PDF documents. One of these had details about NatWest's current accounts and the other summarised the changes that had been brought in.
The email also advised the customer: "It's a good idea to review your account from time to time to make sure it still meets your needs. If there's anything you’d like to talk to us about, or if you’re thinking about closing or changing your account, we can help."
NatWest response
The bank was asked for a comment about the email and in what situations it may not give the 90-day notice when it decides to shut down a person's account. NatWest said the email is part of "ongoing mandatory communications" it is sending to customers, in light of the new rules.
Addressing the question about when this 90-day period would not apply, NatWest said there are "limited exceptions" when this would not be the case. It said there would be some cases where the bank needs to comply with other legal or regulatory obligations, meaning the 90-day rule would not apply.
