NatWest Students to Get Free 5 Year Young Persons Railcard

LONDON, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- NatWest has secured an exclusive deal to offer students opening a NatWest account this year, a 5 year Young Persons Railcard, worth GBP100, if they open an account after 21 June 2004.

The Railcard, which was previously only available as an incentive through HSBC, will now be available to all students opening an account with NatWest. NatWest is able to offer this market-leading incentive to its customers, having prised this valuable offering from HSBC. The card gives students one third discount on most rail fares across Britain every time it is used, with an average saving of GBP107 a year.

Full benefits of the NatWest package for 2004, which will be available from 21 June 2004, include the popular dedicated student banking managers, a unique negotiable, interest free overdraft facility that rises each year for the duration of the course, and access to more branches on or near campus than any other bank.

Robin Taylor, NatWest's Head of Personal Banking, said: "Being able to provide our customers with a free 5 year Young Persons Railcard really completes our student package and those students starting university in September will be able to save hundreds of pounds travelling to and from university. When choosing a package, students should also look for dedicated expert support, flexible and competitive overdrafts and campus based branches. In our experience these are the things that matter."

The main benefits of the NatWest student package are:

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    Interest free Credit   - GBP1,250 in year 1 of study 
    Zone Overdraft         - GBP1,400 in year 2 of study
                           - GBP1,600 in year 3 of study 
                           - GBP1,800 in year 4 of study
                           - GBP2,000 in year 5 of study
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    Accessibility          - NatWest has more branches on campus than
                             any other bank.
 
                           - NatWest customers have free access to
                             over 32,000 cash machines.
 
                           - 24-hour telephone and internet banking.
 
                           - All NatWest students can top up their
                             mobile phones at any NatWest cash machine.
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    Student Advisers/      - In each of the Student and Graduate
    Student Banking          Service branches, student banking managers
    Managers                 offer dedicated student support and money
                             management advice.
 
                           - There are also student advisers in all
                             branches near universities.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Credit Card            - Fee free NatWest MasterCard subject to 
                             terms and conditions.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Travel Service         - Specially negotiated insurance premiums.
 
                           - Commission-free purchase of AMEX
                             travellers cheques and currency.
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    Student Belongings     - Specially negotiated premiums on a policy
    Insurance                specifically to suit student customers.
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    Professional Trainee   - Available for certain courses.
    Loan Scheme              Maximum amount up to GBP20,000.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Graduate Package       - Automatic upgrade to a graduate account
                             and on-going support after graduation.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For list of universities visit www.natwest.com/students

    NOTES TO EDITORS:

    - 5 year Young Persons Railcard will be available in branches
      from 21 June 2004.
    - NatWest will have exclusive rights to offer a five year
      Young Persons Railcard from 1 September 2004.

SOURCE NatWest