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Compare the best business bank accounts in the UK 2022
Want to avoid fees? Integrate with accounting software? Compare business bank and e-money accounts to find the best.
If you're running a business, being able to manage your finances easily is a key part of your everyday operations. Whether your business is a startup or well established, or whether you're looking for a great mobile banking app or simply some free banking, our guide to the best business bank accounts in the UK will help you decide which provider could be right for you. The accounts listed on this guide are business current accounts. If you are looking for a business savings account then head over to our business savings comparison guide.
Table: sorted by promoted deals first
Reviews of high street banks
The Co-operative Bank - The Co-operative Bank Business Current Account
Free everyday business banking for first 30 months.
This business account from the Co-op offers 30 months free everyday business banking, including unlimited ATM cash withdrawals, debit card purchases, faster payments and automatic debits and withdrawals. Fees apply to certain transactions and once those 30 months are up, a monthly service charge of £10 will be payable. Further benefits of the account include access to the payment app from Incomeing, helping you automate financial admin and get paid on time, plus access to legal, technical and HR services with Assurant. Customers also have access to merchant services with Fiserv, tailored business insurance cover with AXA, and access to free business webinars. The account can be managed via the app, online, over the phone or in branch. To qualify, you must be aged 18 or over and a UK resident, and your organisation must be a sole trader or a limited company that’s controlled or owned by one person.
- Free everyday business banking for 30 months
- Access to a payment app, as well as additional support services
- Multiple ways to bank
- Monthly service charge applies after 30 months
- Only suitable for sole traders or single directors
- Fees apply to certain transactions
| Account fee | £10 (waived in first 30 months) |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | QuickBooks Sage Xero Multiple providers |
| Requires credit check | Yes and Ethical Policy screening |
| Overdraft | On application (subject to status, eligibility and The Co-operative Bank's Lending policy) |
HSBC - Kinetic Current Account
No monthly account fees for 12 months, thereafter a monthly charge of £6.50 applies.
One of the biggest benefits of this business account from HSBC is its easy application process. You can apply in just a matter of minutes via the app, providing you meet HSBC’s eligibility criteria. The account enables you to keep track of your spending and will automatically categorise transactions so you can see what’s going where. You’ll also have the option of an arranged overdraft and access to a savings account for your business. What’s more, the app can help you scan and deposit cheques securely, freeze and unfreeze your debit card and make payments of up to £25,000 per day. There’s also no monthly account fee for the first 12 months. To qualify, you must have a limited company and be the only director or sole shareholder, or be a sole trader and the sole owner of the business for which you are applying.
- Easy to apply for and manage
- Arranged overdraft
- Useful app features to help you track spending
- No monthly fee for 12 months
- Interest is charged on overdraft
- Monthly maintenance fee applies after first 12 months
- No interest paid on credit balances
| Account fee | £6.50 per month (waived in first 12 months) |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | QuickBooks Sage Xero |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft |
Santander - Business Current Account
★★★★★
18 months’ fee-free monthly and transactional business banking for businesses trading for less than 12 months.
This is an everyday business bank account that is free for startups for the first 18 months. A £7.50 monthly fee applies after the first 18 months and for businesses that have been trading for more than a year. As part of your application, you can ask for a business overdraft of between £500 and £25,000, although interest and charges will apply. The account can be managed online, via the mobile banking app, over the phone and at Post Office branches. To apply for the account, all directors, owners or partners must be aged 18 or over and a UK resident. Your business must be registered in the UK and you must be either a sole trader or your business must be a partnership, limited liability partnership or a private limited company.
- Free to startups for the first 18 months
- Overdraft available
- Multiple ways to bank
- Monthly fee applies after first 18 months and for established businesses
- Interest and charges apply to overdrafts
- No interest paid on balances
| Account fee | £7.50 per month |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | N/A |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft | Up to £25,000 subject to eligibility and application |
Metro Bank - Business Bank Account
This straightforward business bank account from Metro Bank is designed to support businesses with a turnover of under £2 million a year. There are no monthly account fees, provided you keep your balance at £6,000 or more, otherwise you’ll be charged £6 a month. Fees apply to certain transactions, but card purchases and cash withdrawals in both the UK and Europe are free of charge. Account holders will also have a local business manager to support their business, as well as access to smart accounting software, including digital receipt capture and direct bank feeds with Xero. What’s more, Metro Bank has partnered with Enterprise Nation to give you a year’s free access to their network of business support. You can apply for an account in branch or online and the account can be managed via your mobile phone. An arranged overdraft is available.
- No monthly fees
- Easy to open
- Fee-free card transactions in the UK and abroad
- Access to accounting software
- Fees apply to certain transactions
- No interest paid on balances
- Interest applies to overdraft
| Account fee | £6 per month. Fee waived if account balance £6000+ |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | £0.30
|
| Accounting integrations | Xero |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft |
Best business bank accounts for small businesses, sole traders and freelancers
Small businesses and sole traders make up a huge part of the UK economy, and a growing number of banking providers are offering business accounts specifically tailored to their needs.
Best business bank account for small businesses, sole traders and freelancers: Tide
24/7 customer support
Instant notifications
Software integration
FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get 5 months free transfers when using the code FINDER5FREE.
Tide is a fintech app which offers business accounts to small businesses and freelancers, hoping to relieve them of some of the financial stress that comes with a growing company.
Tide’s business accounts come with a number of features that address some of the most stressful aspects of working for yourself and offer all of this for free.
- 24/7 customer support
- Categorised spending
- FCA regulated
- Quick set-up
- No monthly fees
- Easy to manage accounts and track payments within the app
- Ability to set up direct debits and standing orders
- Can receive online bank statements
- No branches - all done via the web
- Doesn't accept cheque deposits
- No personal accounts
- No international
- Transfers or interest offered
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | £0.20 Free if both accounts are with Tide |
| Accounting integrations | Clear Books FreeAgent KashFlow QuickBooks Reckon One Sage Xero |
| Requires credit check | |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best bank account for small businesses?
- What are the fees? You’re not a big company owner so you probably want to keep your expenses low. Find out if there is any fee for setting up and managing your account and how much you have to pay for each transaction.
- Can invoices be created directly from your banking app or desktop account? Being able to create new invoices and manage existing ones is important. Check if the bank account you’d like to open has this helpful feature.
- Are there any additional perks? Whether it’s free credit cards available for your employees or a discount on coffee supplies, it’s good to know what possibilities for saving money come with opening an account.
Best business bank accounts for bad credit
A poor credit history can have an impact on opening a business bank account. Fortunately, there are some banking providers who specialise in business accounts for those with bad credit or don’t conduct credit checks at all. You can compare a range of bad credit providers here.
Best business bank account for bad credit: Cashplus
Poor credit friendly
Instant notifications
Software integration
No annual or monthly fee when you apply using the Finder link.
Opening a business bank account with bad credit can be complicated. Most banks will carry out a credit check when you put in your application and reject it if you don’t meet the requirements. All is not lost, though! Some companies, like Cashplus, offer banking services perfect for businesses who have a poor or no credit history. There are no credit checks when you apply. The only thing that needs to be verified is your contact details.
- Have account up and running in 5 minutes
- Overdraft option "Cashplus iDraft" once you're eligible
- Currency cards to use overseas
- Online services in addition to the mobile app
- Charge to have your bank card issued
- Traditional bank still needed for majority of your business finance needs
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | £0.30 Free for first 3 payments sent each month (£0.30 for every transfer thereafter) |
| Accounting integrations | Clear Books FreeAgent KashFlow QuickBooks Sage Xero |
| Requires credit check | |
| Overdraft | By invitation |
How can I find the best business bank account if I have bad credit?
- Are there credit checks? Some providers let you open a bank account without checking your credit history. You could consider one of these providers if you have bad credit.
- Are you eligible? Your credit history may not be that important to these providers but there are other things necessary for opening an account. Check what the requirements are and see if you can apply easily.
- How is the account protected? Make sure your money is safe. Find out which body the provider is regulated by and how your money is protected.
Good for accounting integrations
Staying on top of your business finances and filing your tax return is an essential but laborious part of running a business. Fortunately, many business bank accounts now sync with accounting software to make your life a little easier and help streamline your accounting processes.
Save more than £150 per year and get FreeAgent accounting software for free with Mettle
Free account
Apply in minutes
By NatWest
Comes with a suite of free accounting software to integrate with (conditions apply).
Mettle is the first standalone business banking app to be offered by one of the high street banks, NatWest Group. Following a pilot phase, Mettle saw its full launch in November 2019, and looks to rival the mobile app-based business accounts already offered by challenger banks. Mettle lets business customers apply for an account in minutes, forecast business performance and create invoices. All of this is possible in its mobile app, which is designed to be easy to use, as well as free to use.
- Quick and easy application process
- Option to freeze your card if you loose it
- Free and includes some useful features
- Owned by the Natwest group whom are very credible
- Sleek easy to use app
- Overdrafts are unavailable
- Not FSCS protected
- Daily payment limit of £10,000
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | FreeAgent QuickBooks Xero |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best bank account with accounting integrations?
- What accounting software does the account integrate with? Some business bank accounts offer a wider range of options than others, so if you’re already used to a particular accounting software, make sure your chosen account links up to it.
- Is there a monthly fee? Some business bank accounts will only offer accounting integrations if you upgrade to a more expensive account or plan, so make sure you factor this in when comparing your options.
- What other banking features are available? While accounting software can be extremely useful for your business, it’s important to check that the account also offers everything else you need, such as international banking or an overdraft, for example.
Best business bank accounts for startups
There are a lot of factors to consider when starting up a business for the first time, and banking is one of them. Spending time to find an account that has all the features you need at the right price point will benefit you in the long run.
Good business bank account for beginners and startups: Amaiz
★★★★★
24/7 customer support
Instant notifications
Software integration
Opening a business account is a new experience for company owners who are just starting out, but it shouldn’t be a daunting one. Amaiz is one of the new breed of challengers to offer a digital-only current account to sole traders and limited companies. You can open a business account in minutes through its mobile app – which also offers features that bring together banking, invoicing and accounting. Even better, you can sign up for a free trial before committing to any of the monthly pricing plans.
- Transparent charges - everything included in the monthly fee
- An app packed with features such as instant notifications
- Jar sub-accounts and the ability to create
- Customize and track invoices
- 24/7 customer support
- The ability to freeze your
- Card with a singular tap
- Quick to get your account up and running
- No integration with Sage or Xero
- No branches/face to face communication
- No overdraft feature or credit facilities available
- Extra fees to use the card abroad
| Account fee | From £4.99 (+vat) |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | FreeAgent |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best bank account for startups?
- Is there any free banking on offer? If you’re going into business for the first time, some banking providers offer a decent period of free business banking with new accounts (although be mindful of what the costs may be after this free period ends).
- What tools come with the account? As a startup, you might be after a “one-stop shop” type of business account, so take a look at what features it has. Many accounts can now integrate with your accounting software, create and track invoices for you and even help calculate your tax bill.
- Are there any other financial services available? If you’re also looking for a business credit card, overdraft or loan, it’s worth checking which business banking providers offer those products as well.
Best business bank accounts for online banking
With bank branch visits on the decline and customers increasingly managing their money through digital channels, the range of features on offer through online banking has become a crucial part of any business bank account.
Best business bank account for app and online banking: Starling
★★★★★
24/7 customer support
Instant notifications
Software integration
Add the new Business Toolkit onto your free Starling account, and get the first month free of charge (RRP £7pcm).
The era of banking in its traditional form is being surpassed. Digital banking is on the rise, offering customers 24/7 access to their bank accounts via apps and other types of online accounts. Thanks to that you can manage your money anytime you want and anywhere you are. What’s more, you can get instant notifications about the payments you made or received and, in many cases, sort your invoices quickly and easily. If you’re looking for the best user-experience, Starling may be the best option for you.
- Add the new Business Toolkit onto your free Starling account and get the first month free of charge (RRP £7pcm)
- Completely free UK current account opened and ready to use in 20 minutes
- Safe and secure
- Fully licensed by the FCA and PRA
- Free to use your card abroad including ATM withdrawals, splitting the bill made easy with "settle up" feature, competitive and comprehensible overdraft fees
- Decent interest rate paid on current account balances
- Efficient app offering a range of good features such as budgeting tools and saving features
- Has a marketplace offering competitive pensions
- Mortgages and insurance from other growing fintech companies
- Teen account options
- 24/7 customer support (for all types of enquiries)
- Relatively new so does not offer every feature, e.g. mortgages
- No bank branches, all done via the web
- Only available to UK residents
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | FreeAgent QuickBooks Xero |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft | Up to £50,000 subject to eligibility and application |
How can I find the best bank account for online banking?
- How can I access my bank account on the web? Although slick mobile banking apps are a big thing right now, even in business banking, if you’re specifically after online banking make sure you can access your account on the web via a desktop computer or a laptop, and not just through a smartphone.
- What are the online banking features? There are lots of things you can do via online business banking, from making payments and setting up standing orders to calculating your expenses or sending out an invoice. Check that the account you select has all of the online banking features that you want.
- Are there any transaction fees involved? With business banking, it is common to be charged small transaction fees, even for making or receiving online payments. When choosing an account, give consideration to your online banking usage to make sure those small individual fees don’t add up to one big cost for your business.
Best business bank accounts for invoicing
Issuing invoices and getting paid is obviously vital to running a successful business. It’s now possible to create, send and keep track of invoices directly from some business bank accounts.
Best business bank account for invoice service: ANNA Money
24/7 customer support
Instant notifications
Software integration
Earn 1% cashback for paying with your ANNA card in selected categories.
Invoices are crucial for keeping solid financial and accounting records. To invoice your company’s clients you can always do it the old-fashioned way and create them manually, using templates and sending the invoices out via email. It can be time-consuming though, and the last thing you want is making a mistake while creating them. To avoid that, choose a digital bank that offers accounting software and services that automatically generate invoices you can send to your clients. One such company is ANNA Money which can help you save time and avoid the stress of chasing payments.
- Ability to connect other provider accounts to the ANNA app through Open banking
- 24/7 support through the app aiming to give a response within 10 mins
- Fast set-up
- Invoice and expense services within the app
- No seperate fees for account activities solely the monthly fee
- No credit or overdrafts available
- Still require a traditional bank account for majority of your business financial needs
- No cash and cheque deposits
- Cannot be used in web browser
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free 2 free UK transfers per month |
| Accounting integrations | Sage Xero |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best bank account for invoicing?
- What does the invoicing service include? Can you create and send invoices from the business account then track when payments come in and match them to your records?
- Is there 24/7 customer support? As a busy entrepreneur, you may be doing your invoicing in the evening or at the weekend, so if you run into any operational problems, it’s good to know there’s someone available to help you out.
- Is there a full range of other banking features? It’s great being able to run your invoicing from your business account, but if that’s its main feature, you may need to weigh up if the account has everything else you might need, such as international banking or the ability to make cash deposits.
Best business accounts for international payments
If you have customers or suppliers based overseas, then the ability to make or receive international payments from or to your business bank account will be an important factor.
Good for low currency conversion on international payments: Monese
Easy to open
Send money internationally
Create business invoices
Monese allows you to open multiple accounts with multiple currencies. International money transfers to 30 countries are permitted at a cheaper rate than high street banks.
Your accounts are run through an app with useful budgeting software. You can swap between personal and business accounts seamlessly.
- Supported in 14 different languages
- Quick and easy to set up
- Budget management features offered in the app and savings pot feature
- Deposit cash into the accounts through post offices and paypoints (with a small fee)
- Only available to businesses registered in the UK
- Must have a personal monese account to get a business one
- Still require a traditional account for most of your banking needs
| Account fee | £9.95 per month |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | N/A |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft | No but will deduct the money from your balance the next time you make a deposit and will not charge you a fee |
How can I find the best business account for international payments?
- International banking capabilities. A few of the newer or more basic business accounts don’t offer the ability to make or receive international payments, so if you need this functionally be sure to check before you sign up for an account.
- Fees. How much will your bank charge to make or receive overseas payments? There could be upfront charges as well as currency conversion fees to pay.
- Multi-currency accounts. A banking provider that lets you hold balances in different currencies, or one that offers different currency accounts linked to one another, might be a better bet if you’re going to be dealing with a high volume of international payments.
Best business accounts for opening quickly
If you need a business account in a hurry, or you just don’t want to be caught up in a lengthy application process, choosing an account that’s quick to open might be at the top of your consideration list.
Good for 10 minute online application: Revolut Business
Software integrations
Multiple Company cards
Pay abroad like a local
This business account from Revolut enables you to receive, hold and exchange money in more than 30 currencies worldwide with no hidden fees. You’ll be able to set up as many sub-accounts in each currency as you need. In addition, you can get fixed foreign exchange rates for a set amount and date in the future, and you can spend like a local worldwide with your company debit card in 150 currencies. Each team member can get up to 200 virtual cards and up to 3 physical plastic cards. You’ll be able to set card limits, track, freeze and unfreeze cards, as well as decide where cards can be used. If you’re looking for something a little more impressive, choose the stainless steel Revolut metal card. The account also offers access to invoicing and expenses tools and there are 4 different pricing plans to choose from, including a free option.
- Flexible account options
- Mobile app with lots of good features
- Ability to issue cards to all employees
- Easy to apply
- Freeze card if lost or stolen
- Safe and secure
- Free purchases
- Free account does not include many free transactions
- All ATM withdrawals incur a charge
- Can't deposit cash or cheques into your account
- Not yet a fully fledged bank
- Currently unable to earn interest
- Direct debits only available for EUR accounts
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free
|
| Accounting integrations | FreeAgent Xero |
| Requires credit check | Soft search with no impact on credit score |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best business account to open quickly?
- Check what documentation you need. You’ll always be asked for a basic set of information about you and your business when you sign up to a business account, but some providers will ask for less documentation than others.
- Branches or digital only? If you’re happy with a digital-only business bank account, they are often quicker to open as no branch visits are required.
- No credit checks. If you’re really keen to open an account quickly and with less hurdles in the way, there are providers who don’t conduct credit checks or ask for proof of address (although be aware that these accounts sometimes come with higher fees attached).
Good for new businesses
If you’re a new business, it’s important to find a business bank account that offers all the features you might need. Make sure you weigh up any fees for the account against the benefits on offer.
Register a new limited company for free
Free company registration
No credit check
Simple registration
GoSolo helps businesses set up a limited company in just minutes, as well as open a business current account with a Mastercard debit card. The card can be managed via the app which can help you track spending and save for taxes. The app will also help account holders create, send and manage invoices, customise templates and set up automatic reminders. There are two plans to choose from. The “UK Account” which is free but has a charge for a UK Virtual Business Address, and the “Global Account” which has no transactions charges, but does carry an annual cost.
- Support setting up limited company
- Useful app features to help you manage invoices and track spending
- Different price plans to choose from
- Fees may apply, depending on the plan you choose
- Limited account features and rewards
- Suitable for limited companies only
| Account fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | Free Free or 0.20p depending on type of account |
| Accounting integrations | N/A |
| Requires credit check | |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best bank account for new businesses?
- Are there any credit checks? Most new businesses won’t have much of a credit history which can make it more difficult to get accepted for a business bank account. Fortunately, there are some banking providers that won’t carry out a credit check as part of your application.
- What are the fees? If your company is only just starting out, it’s likely you’ll want a bank account that charges no monthly fees (at least initially), plus low fees for everyday banking transactions.
- Does the account offer any tools? Some business bank accounts can help you to create and track invoices, as well as integrate with accounting software and help you with your tax bill. This can make your life a lot easier.
Good for cashback
Fancy earning something back for your business spending? Some business bank accounts allow you to earn cashback when you spend on your bank card. The money will then be paid into your bank account at regular intervals.
Cashback rewards for everyday use
No credit checks
Online account
Prepaid card
No monthly account fee for the first three months.
Card One Money has designed its business bank account specifically for small businesses, and you can apply if you are a sole trader, partnership or limited company.
One of the biggest draws is that you can set up the account through a speedy online process, with no credit check required. Card One Money says most accounts are open within three hours.
- Quick application process
- No credit check required
- Cashback rewards available on the associated Mastercard
- No failed payment fees
- Quite a few charges involved compared to some other business accounts, including the £55 application fee, £12.50 monthly account fee and various other transaction fees
- No credit or overdrafts available
| Account fee | £12.50 per month (waived in first 3 months) |
|---|---|
| Bank transfers | From £0.30 |
| Accounting integrations | N/A |
| Requires credit check | |
| Overdraft |
How can I find the best bank account for cashback?
- What are the fees? Many business bank accounts that offer perks such as cashback also charge a monthly fee. Consider whether you’ll earn enough in cashback to make the fee worth paying.
- Are you eligible? To qualify for cashback you might need to meet certain conditions. Be sure to check these carefully before applying.
- Is there a full range of other banking features? Earning cashback can be a great perk of opening a business bank account, but make sure the account offers everything else you might need. Don’t be swayed solely by the amount of cashback on offer.
Useful tips on how to choose the best business bank account for your business
There are many factors to consider when choosing a business account, many of which apply whether you are a foreigner or a UK resident. It’s important to do your research and think about the following:
- Cost. Pricing structures can be complicated for business bank accounts. Some have monthly fees, some have transaction fees and many have both. So think about how you’ll use your account and what will work out to be the cheapest option for you.
- Your type of business. It’s a good idea to look for something that’s as tailored to your business as possible. Some banks offer both startup accounts and ones that are designed for more established businesses.
- Cash. If you take a lot of cash payments and need to deposit this cash into your business account, you’ll want to make sure that you have a bank branch or pay-in point nearby.
- Ways to bank. Some business owners prefer to discuss banking in person, while others would rather have a great mobile app that makes banking slicker on the go. Not all banks will provide both.
- Accepting payments. Do you need to set up card payment terminals as well as a business account?
- Accounting software integration. If you’re managing a small business, being able to do banking and accounting from the same place makes life easier. Popular integrations include Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent.
- Related financial products. Do you also need a savings account, insurance or a business loan, and does your chosen bank provide these?
- International banking. Do you trade abroad or need to make a lot of international payments? Check if you can do this with the business account or if you can open an accompanying account in a different currency.
- Bad credit. If you have a poor credit history, you might be more likely to have your business account application rejected, but some banking providers specialise in accounts for these type of customers (we mention more on this below).
- Address checks. Some of the digital-only banking providers don’t ask for proof of address. This is particularly relevant if you have bad credit or are a foreigner without a UK address and are looking to open a business account here.
Business bank account fees explained
Unlike with most personal current accounts, many business accounts come with costs attached, which can range from a monthly fee simply for having the account, to a charge for paying in a cheque.
We outline the main types of business account costs below – bear these in mind when you’re looking at a bank’s pricing structure or an account’s terms and conditions:
How can I apply for a business account?
Once you’ve researched and chosen which business account you’d like to go for, you’ll need to apply to that banking provider to open it. Many applications can now be done online or through a mobile app (especially given the growing number of digital-only accounts), although some banks with a branch network might ask you to visit in person.
Every business bank account will have a slightly different application process, but here is a general list of information and documents that you should have to hand:
- Your business name and address
- Your own personal details and contact information
- A form of ID
- Proof of address
- Estimated business turnover
- Personal banking/financial statements
- Companies House registration number, if you’re a limited company
Not every banking provider will ask you for all of this documentation, and on the flip side, there may be some who request even more detailed information about your business and its finances.
Most business bank account providers will also carry out some kind of credit check on you, although there are a few that will let you open an account without one (but be aware these products tend to come with higher usage fees). For more information on opening a business account without a credit check, check out our guide to opening a business account with a bad credit score. You can also check your credit score here.
Best business banks for customer satisfaction in 2022
Our customer satisfaction awards are decided by the only votes that really matter – yours. We asked customers of 11 major business banking providers to tell us about their experiences. Now we can reveal how they rated these UK banks. Learn more about the awards here including our ratings methodology.
| Overall satisfaction | Customers who’d recommend | Issuer | Review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★★★★★ | 100% |  | TSB scored perfect marks in this year’s survey to claim the business banking crown. TSB relaunched on the UK high street in 2013, and is currently offering an initial period of free business banking for 25 months to startups and account switchers. Its customers in our survey said they’d had an “excellent” experience with the bank. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 91% |  | Long-established Lloyds Bank recorded an impressive “would recommend” score of 91% in our survey. It offers business accounts for new and established businesses, as well as one for clubs and charities. Customers cited the bank’s customer service and contactability as big positives. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 90% |  | Although its branch network is mainly confined to Scotland, Bank of Scotland offers accounts to businesses across the UK. It has several business account options to choose from, and there is a dedicated resource centre especially for business account holders. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 100% |  | Digital challenger bank Starling recorded a perfect “would recommend” score in our survey, despite not having any branches. The customers we polled highlighted its easy to use app and low business banking charges. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 97% |  | Tide is a digital-only business banking provider, and its customers highlighted its easy account set up and clear to use online features as some its major plus points. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 97% |  | Mettle is a comparative newcomer to business banking and is a digital-only offshoot from parent company NatWest. Its first year in our customer satisfaction survey has seen it rank mid-table, with an impressive 97% “would recommend” score. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 91% |  | HSBC, the largest bank in the UK, also polled strongly in our survey, posting a rating of 4.5 stars. Like some of the other banks here, it offers a free banking introductory period for startups or businesses switching their account, after which fees apply. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 89% |  | Another high street veteran, Barclays, isn’t far behind. The bank operates different business accounts depending on company size, and our survey respondents praised its “helpful” customer service. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 89% |  | It’s a competitive table this year, so while NatWest may have finished in the bottom three, nearly 9 out of 10 of the customers that we surveyed would recommend this bank to a friend, and were generally pleased with its level of customer support. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 88% |  | Santander operates a range of different business accounts, some of which come with discounted fees for startups or customers who are switching. Although finishing second to bottom in our latest poll, respondents still rated this provider’s customer service highly. | Read our review |
| ★★★★★ | 85% |  | Royal Bank of Scotland may be bringing up the end of the table in this year’s business banking survey, but it still posted a very respectable 4 out 5 stars and an 85% “would recommend” score. Its customers that we canvassed praised the “helpful” staff. | Read our review |
Best UK business bank by customer service 2022
In February 2022, the results of the “Business banking service quality – Great Britain” survey were published by BVA BDRC, on behalf of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). SME customers with business current accounts were asked how likely they would be to recommend their account provider’s services to other SMEs in the following areas: overall service quality, online and mobile banking services, service in branches and business centres, SME overdraft and loan services, and relationship/account management services. The findings are below.
Getting down to business: How banking is evolving to cater to SMEs in a new era
Finder published a paper in February 2022 exploring current trends, innovations and account switching within the business account sector. The report includes the findings of our survey of business account holders, and insights from experts at ANNA, the Federation of Small Businesses, Kent Business School, Savanta and Starling Bank.Download your free copy
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The bottom line
When picking a business bank account, it’s important to think about the account features that will most suit your business’s needs.
If you’re a small operation and you’re looking for the ability to conveniently manage your firm’s finances on the go, perhaps you’ll want an account that comes with a highly-rated smartphone app.
Elsewhere, if your business needs to make frequent cash deposits, you’ll probably want an account from a bank with a wide branch network in your area. For small startups and freelancers, using an account that offers invoicing functions could be a major help.
Whatever your firm’s banking needs, the market for business accounts in the UK offers a great deal of choice.
Frequently asked questions
If you're setting up a business, a business plan is vital to your success.
Use our free business plan toolkit including a walk-through guide, business plan template and example business plan.
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We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
Business banking news & launches
Starling business customers get Bills Manager free
Announcement means that business owners can now make payments from their Starling Savings Spaces.
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