NatWest has joined the latest cohort of Digital Catapult's Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP), where it will investigate how quantum computing could strengthen fraud detection and anti-financial crime capabilities.

The bank is one of 11 organisations selected for the third cohort of the programme, which the non-profit organisation runs with the National Quantum Computing Centre's (NQCC) SparQ programme. The initiative aims to help organisations identify practical applications for quantum computing across UK industry.

NatWest will explore how quantum technologies could detect fraud and illicit activity across large transaction networks. Digital Catapult said the programme marks the first time QTAP has focused on financial services and banking operations.

CTA Fintech Solutions has also joined the programme and will investigate how quantum computing could optimise legacy-to-cloud transaction flows to improve cost efficiency and resilience in regulated financial environments.

Digital Catapult said the addition of financial services reflects growing demand for quantum technologies and their potential to support the UK's sovereign quantum capabilities through real-world commercial applications.

Alongside banking, the programme will support projects in healthcare, transport, defence, supply chains, and logistics.

The programme will also examine use cases in combinatorial optimisation, including logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation, alongside quantum machine learning for advanced data analysis and pattern recognition.

Previous participants in QTAP include Vodafone, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the Port of Dover, and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

Paul Ceely, director of technology strategy at Digital Catapult, said: "Quantum computing is no longer a theoretical concept but a technology that is demonstrating its potential value through a variety of industrial and commercial applications.

"The UK's sovereign quantum capability is world-leading, but to maintain this it's critical to demonstrate real-world business use cases. This is why our work here in partnership with NQCC is vital, demystifying quantum innovation, and demonstrating how it can drive commercial success for those that embrace it."

The programme will run until February 2027 and will continue Digital Catapult's collaboration with the NQCC and ORCA Computing to help organisations trial quantum applications and develop commercial partnerships.

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