Many Welsh speakers prefer banking in Welsh. Here’s what’s available from UK financial providers.
Your Rights
Welsh Language Standards
| For Public Bodies | Required |
|---|---|
| Welsh Government | Full Welsh services |
| Local councils | Welsh services mandatory |
| NHS Wales | Welsh available |
| Welsh universities | Offer Welsh |
| For Private Companies | Voluntary |
|---|---|
| Banks | Choose their level |
| Building societies | Varies |
| Insurers | Limited availability |
| No legal requirement | But encouraged |
Welsh Language Commissioner
| Role | Function |
|---|---|
| Promotes Welsh | In all sectors |
| Monitors | Public services |
| Encourages | Private sector |
| Reports on | Welsh provision |
Banks with Welsh Services
Principality Building Society
| Service | Welsh Available? |
|---|---|
| Website | ✓ Full Welsh |
| Mobile app | ✓ Welsh option |
| Online banking | ✓ Welsh |
| Telephone banking | ✓ Welsh speakers |
| Branch service | ✓ Welsh available |
| Statements | ✓ Can choose Welsh |
| Correspondence | ✓ Welsh option |
| Marketing | ✓ Bilingual |
| Products | |
|---|---|
| Savings accounts | Welsh service |
| Mortgages | Welsh service |
| Current accounts | Not offered |
| Insurance | Welsh service |
Nationwide Building Society
| Service | Welsh Available? |
|---|---|
| Website | ✓ Welsh pages |
| Mobile app | ✓ Welsh option |
| Online banking | ✓ Welsh |
| Telephone | Limited |
| Branches | Depends on location |
| Statements | English only |
Lloyds Banking Group
| Service | Welsh Available? |
|---|---|
| Telephone banking | ✓ Welsh line |
| Branches | Welsh-speaking staff (some) |
| Online banking | English |
| App | English |
| Statements | English |
NatWest Group
| Service | Welsh Available? |
|---|---|
| Some branches | Welsh speakers |
| Telephone | Limited Welsh |
| Online | English |
| Marketing | Some bilingual |
HSBC
| Service | Welsh Available? |
|---|---|
| Limited Welsh | In some branches |
| Online | English |
| App | English |
| Telephone | English |
Barclays
| Service | Welsh Available? |
|---|---|
| Branches | Some Welsh-speaking staff |
| Digital services | English |
Credit Unions
Welsh Credit Unions
| Credit Union | Welsh Services |
|---|---|
| Many Welsh CUs | Offer Welsh |
| Community-based | Strong Welsh focus |
| Local staff | Often Welsh speakers |
| Services | Welsh available |
Finding Welsh-Speaking Credit Unions
| Area | Example Credit Unions |
|---|---|
| North Wales | Various local CUs |
| Mid Wales | Community-based CUs |
| South Wales | Cardiff & Valleys CUs |
| West Wales | Strong Welsh areas |
Online and Digital Banking
Apps in Welsh
| Provider | Welsh App? |
|---|---|
| Principality | Yes |
| Nationwide | Yes |
| Monzo | No |
| Starling | No |
| Revolut | No |
| Chase | No |
Online Banking in Welsh
| Provider | Welsh Online? |
|---|---|
| Principality | Full Welsh site |
| Nationwide | Welsh options |
| Traditional banks | Limited/none |
| Challenger banks | None currently |
Mortgages in Welsh
Providers
| Lender | Welsh Service |
|---|---|
| Principality | Full Welsh mortgage service |
| Nationwide | Some Welsh |
| Local brokers | May speak Welsh |
| Most lenders | English only |
Getting a Welsh-Language Mortgage
| Step | Who/What |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose Welsh-friendly lender | Principality leads |
| 2. Use Welsh-speaking broker | If available |
| 3. Request Welsh documents | Where offered |
| 4. Welsh solicitors | For conveyancing |
Insurance in Welsh
Providers
| Type | Welsh Options |
|---|---|
| Home insurance | Principality |
| Car insurance | Limited |
| Life insurance | Very limited |
| Travel insurance | Limited |
Tips for Finding Welsh Services
| Approach | Details |
|---|---|
| Ask specifically | When getting quotes |
| Local brokers | May offer Welsh |
| Welsh mutuals | More likely to help |
| Principality | Covers several types |
Savings and Investments
Welsh-Friendly Options
| Provider | Products | Welsh Service |
|---|---|---|
| Principality | Savings | Full Welsh |
| National Savings | Premium Bonds etc | Limited/English |
| Investment platforms | Hargreaves, AJ Bell etc | English only |
| ISAs | Depends on provider | Check |
Telephone Banking
Welsh Language Phone Lines
| Bank | Welsh Phone Service |
|---|---|
| Principality | Welsh-speaking team |
| Lloyds | Welsh language line available |
| Others | Limited or none |
Getting Welsh Service
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Ask at account opening | For Welsh preference |
| Request Welsh callbacks | Where available |
| Use Welsh line numbers | If provided |
| Specify preference | In your records |
Branches in Wales
Finding Welsh-Speaking Staff
| Approach | Method |
|---|---|
| Ask branch directly | They’ll check staff |
| Principality branches | Strong Welsh presence |
| North/West Wales | More Welsh speakers |
| Cardiff | Good Welsh availability |
Right to Welsh Service?
| Situation | Availability |
|---|---|
| Request Welsh service | Banks may accommodate |
| No obligation | For private banks |
| Better in some areas | Welsh-speaking regions |
| Depend on staff | Welsh-speaking employees |
Statements and Documents
Getting Documents in Welsh
| Provider | Welsh Documents |
|---|---|
| Principality | Full Welsh option |
| Others | Very limited |
| Request specifically | May be possible |
| Terms & conditions | Rarely Welsh |
Improving Welsh Provision
What You Can Do
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Request Welsh service | Shows demand |
| Choose Welsh-friendly providers | Supports them |
| Feedback to banks | Tells them it matters |
| Contact Welsh Language Commissioner | If concerns |
Complaining
| If Refused Welsh | Options |
|---|---|
| Contact bank complaints | First step |
| Financial Ombudsman | For disputes |
| Welsh Language Commissioner | To report |
| Not legally enforceable | For private banks |
Summary
Best Options for Welsh Banking
| Need | Best Provider |
|---|---|
| Savings account | Principality |
| Mortgage | Principality |
| Current account | Nationwide (partial) |
| Insurance | Principality |
| Credit union | Local Welsh CU |
Welsh Services Overview
| Provider | Welsh Level |
|---|---|
| Principality | Excellent — most comprehensive |
| Nationwide | Good — app and online |
| Lloyds | Fair — telephone |
| Credit unions | Often good locally |
| Others | Limited to none |
Key Contacts
| Provider | For Welsh Services |
|---|---|
| Principality | principality.co.uk |
| Credit Union Wales | creditunionsofwales.co.uk |
| Welsh Language Commissioner | comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru |