Welsh Language Banking Services Guide

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