Thousands of Sainsbury’s Bank credit card customers will lose access to their app next week as part of a major takeover.
The bank confirmed that accounts will transfer to NatWest between October 3 and 6, following last year’s sale of its core banking services, including loans and savings
Customers will be unable to use online or mobile banking after 5 pm on October 3, while new terms and conditions will take effect from the same date.
Sainsbury’s Bank has already begun moving some of its 1.8 million customers to NatWest and reassured cardholders that no immediate action is required.
A spokesperson said: "There are no immediate changes and nothing customers need to do right now. We will continue to keep them informed throughout the transfer process."
Customers should check their emails and account messages for updates to avoid any disruption when the switch takes place
The transfer is the next step in moving all Sainsbury’s Bank customers to NatWest, with the full migration expected to be finished by the end of the year.
NatWest’s takeover covers the supermarket bank’s full range of personal financial products, including credit cards, personal loans and savings accounts.
All remaining accounts are scheduled to transfer by December.
NatWest is set to takeover Sainsbury's Bank | PA The acquisition was approved by the High Court in April, giving the deal formal legal backing. NatWest officially took control of Sainsbury’s credit card, loan, and savings accounts on May 1.
The deal involved NatWest buying Sainsbury’s core banking operations, including loans, and deposit accounts, last year.
While ownership changed in May, the technical transfer of accounts to NatWest’s systems is being completed in stages over several months.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The technical transfer of accounts to NatWest’s systems is being completed in stages over several months.
| GETTYThe staggered migration schedule reflects the complexity of transferring multiple product lines.
Customer notifications began reaching credit card holders in July, whilst those with loans and savings received correspondence from August.
Between September and October, NatWest will dispatch guidance on subsequent procedures, detailing registration for their online banking platforms.
major provider confirms exact date thousands will get locked out of accounts
| GETTYSainsbury's Bank will send farewell communications to departing customers during this period. Following the October transition, account holders will receive NatWest's welcome correspondence as their products migrate across.
A Sainsbury's Bank spokesperson said: "We have written to our credit card customers to let them know that their accounts will transfer to NatWest between 3 and 6 October 2025, along with the updated terms and conditions which will apply from 3 October 2025.
"There are no immediate changes and nothing customers need to do right now. We will continue to keep them informed throughout the transfer process."
The phased communication strategy ensures customers receive timely updates before their accounts move.
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