Lloyds Bank

Lloyds business bank account comparison and review

A business account with Lloyds can work for you if you want the support of a big bank, and it's free for the first few months.

4.3 ★★★★★ (328 reviews) Write a review
Finder rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Customer rating
★★★★★
Satisfaction survey
Respondents in our survey praised the bank’s business customer service levels
Quite a few business banking fees, including charges for depositing cash or cheques

Opening your business account with Lloyds means benefitting from a big network of branches, solid customer support and a variety of related financial products available for your business. For a big traditional bank, the fees aren’t exorbitant either. Let’s take a look.

Compare Lloyds’s business accounts

Name Product Account fee Bank transfers Requires credit check Accounting integrations Arranged overdraft Account management Key benefits Business bottom txt Link
Clients' Call Account
Free
Free
N/A
Branch, online, app & phone
View details
Treasurers' Account
Free
Free
N/A
Branch, online, app & phone
View details
Business Account - Electronic Business Tariff
£20 per month
Free
N/A
Branch, online, app & phone
View details
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1 - 14 of 14
Name Product Interest rate and type Interest paid Invest Term Open via Incentive Table product description Apply link
Lloyds Bank – Term Deposit 18.9.24
3.6% AER fixed
On maturity
£10,000 - £5,000,000
18.09.24
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Fixed Term Deposit
3.6% AER fixed
On maturity
£10,000 - £5,000,000
1 year
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Fixed Term Deposit
3.57% AER fixed
On maturity
£10,000 - £5,000,000
274 days
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Fixed Term Deposit
3.53% AER fixed
On maturity
£10,000 - £5,000,000
182 days
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Term Deposit 27.3.24
3.5% AER fixed
On maturity
£10,000 - £5,000,000
27.03.24
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – 95 Day Notice Account
2.99% AER variable
Daily
£10,000 - £5,000,000
95 days notice
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – 32 Day Notice Account
2.63% AER variable
Daily
£10,000 - £5,000,000
32 days notice
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Fixed Term Deposit
2.02% AER fixed
On maturity
£10,000 - £5,000,000
91 days
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Commercial Instant Access Account
1.31% AER variable
Monthly
£1 - £999,999
Instant access
Open via: branch, website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Business Banking Instant Access
1.31% AER variable
Monthly
£1 - £999,999
Instant access
Open via: website, telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Business Banking Clients' Call Account
1.31% AER variable
Monthly
£1 - £999,999
Instant access
Open via: telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Commercial Designated Client Account
1.31% AER variable
Monthly
£1 - £999,999
Instant access
Open via: telephone
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Business Instant Access Account
1.31% AER variable
Monthly
£1 - £999,999
Instant access
Open via: website
Go to site
View details
Lloyds Bank – Commercial Undesignated Client Account
1.31% AER variable
Monthly
£1 - £999,999
Instant access
Open via: telephone
Go to site
View details
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What types of business accounts does Lloyds offer?

Depending on what your business does and how long it’s been operating, you can choose among three types of business accounts:

  • Current account for small businesses and start-ups. For businesses whose estimated annual turnover is under £3 million. It comes with 12 months of free banking.
  • Current account for larger businesses. For business with an estimated annual turnover of over £3 million to £25 million. Account fees will vary depending on whether the business conducts most of its banking online or in-branch.
  • Current accounts for schools and community groups. These can all benefit from a more favourable deal than regular businesses.
  • Current accounts for professional practices (e.g. solicitors and accountants). These accounts are for businesses or partnerships that need to hold client money separately from their own funds.

Lloyds business accounts charges

If you have a current account for small businesses and start ups, once your introductory deal, is over Lloyds will charge you for its business banking services. Larger businesses and professional practices can also expect the following fees:

  • Monthly fee. This is fixed and isn’t influenced by how much you use the account.
  • Cash fees. Depositing or withdrawing cash from the account at a branch will come for a fee.
  • Foreign currency transaction fees. If you use your business debit card abroad, you’ll be charged a fee (equivalent to a percentage of the transaction). The fee is higher for ATM withdrawals. Be aware that these fees will apply even during your introductory period of free banking.
  • Cheque fee. Both for emitting or depositing them.

You won’t be charged for bank transfers, debit card payments or ATM withdrawals in the UK instead.

You can see the full list of charges on Lloyds Bank’s website. How much the fees are will depend on which account you choose and which tariff.

The benefits of a Lloyds business account

  • Multiple ways to bank. Lloyds offers a decent mobile experience, but its strongest point is still the opportunity to bank in many different ways – on the app, online, on the phone or in person.
  • A wide range of related financial products available. A business account is the first step, but your business may also need a savings account, a credit card, insurance solutions… Lloyds offers all that, so you can have all your business financial products in the same place.
  • Free banking for the first few months. Although this only applies to small businesses and startups, this is a good deal. It gives you the opportunity to try Lloyds out and, if you aren’t happy with the service, you can switch before the end of the introductory period.
  • Solutions to accept card payments available. Cardnet is a Lloyds service that allows you to accept card payments in person, online or on the phone. You can choose between a range of machines and solutions.
  • Customer service. Lloyds offers dedicated support to its business customers through relationship managers and a business management team. Be aware that lines aren’t open 24/7 (only from Monday to Saturday, at daytime).

How to apply for a Lloyds business account

You can apply online or in person if your business’s turnover is less than £3 million. If it’s more, you can give Lloyds a call instead.

Here’s a basic list of the information and documents you’ll need:

  • Your personal details, proof of identity and proof of address
  • Three years of address history
  • Details of any other director of your business
  • Your business’s details, including a proof of address
  • Business registration number
  • Date and certificate of incorporation
  • Business turnover and tax information
  • Previous banking details if you have them and are looking to switch

Lloyds business account customer reviews

Lloyds scored 4.5 out of 5 starts in our 2023 customer satisfaction survey, with 94% of users surveyed saying that they would recommend the bank’s business account offering. Its users highlighted the bank’s ‘efficient’ online banking service, decent product range and fair pricing. Here’s what some of those Lloyds business customers had to say in our survey:

“I find that they are always on hand to help, they had great offers when I signed up.”

“They are extremely helpful and the online banking system is very easy to use.”

“Good customer services and no fees.”

On the Apple App Store, Lloyds Business banking app scored 4.1 out of 5 stars based on around 3,000 reviews. On the Google Play Store, the app scored 4 out of 5 stars, from around 6,280 reviews (last updated, June 2023).

Pros and cons of a Lloyds business account

Pros

  • Free trial available for most small business customers.
  • Ability to bank online, on mobile, by telephone or in branch.
  • Dedicated account support from a business management team.
  • System to take card payments from your customers available.
  • Option to apply for overdrafts, business loans and credit cards.

Cons

  • Once the free trial is over there’s a monthly charge.
  • Other fees apply, such as for depositing cash and cheques or for making international transactions.

Our verdict: Is a Lloyds business account worth it?

If you’re after a well-known high street brand, then it’s worth considering a business bank account with Lloyds. A major advantage here is the ability to bank online, on mobile, by telephone or in branch, which will appeal to those who might not be comfortable with a digital-only bank account from one of the newer players.

As one of the biggest UK banks, you can also take advantage of Lloyds’ ability to offer overdrafts, business loans and business credit cards and charge cards.

There’s also a free trial period with Lloyds business accounts, but you’ll have to stump up the monthly fee, as well as the other banking transaction fees, when it ends.

Get started by visiting Lloyds’s website and sign up for an account. If you have read this review and decided that Lloyd’s account is not for you, you can also compare other business bank accounts on the market.

Frequently asked questions

Business banking ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Our customer satisfaction scores ("Customers say") are based on a survey of 623 customers carried out in December 2022.

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.

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