RBS business bank account comparison and review
Looking for a new business bank account? Find out what RBS has to offer and whether its accounts could be right for you.
By choosing a business bank account from RBS, you’ll be able to take advantage of free online accounting software and 24/7 digital banking and phone banking. New businesses and charities can also enjoy fee-free banking. Let’s find out more.
Compare RBS’s business accounts
What types of business accounts are on offer?
Depending on the type of business you run and how long it has been operating you can choose from 3 different business accounts:
- Startup account. For businesses that have been trading less than a year and have turnover of less than £1 million. There are no transaction fees for the first 24 months and you’ll have access to business support and networking events.
- Business account. For established businesses that have been trading for over a year. You’ll have access to a dedicated relationship manager and specialised programmes to grow your business. There’s no minimum monthly charge – you just pay for what you use.
- Community account. For not-for-profit organisations such as charities or clubs. Free banking if your annual turnover is less than £100,000.
How to apply
It’s easy and straightforward to apply for a business account on the RBS website. You’ll need to be aged 18 or over, and be the owner or director of the business you’re applying on behalf of.
Information and documents required include:
- Your personal details, proof of ID and proof of address.
- 3 years of address history.
- Details of all the partners, members or directors of the business, including their home addresses for the past 3 years.
- Business details, including your turnover and tax information and your company’s Registration Number if you’re a limited company.
Pros and cons of RBS business accounts
Pros
- Fees are waived for the first 2 years if you’re a startup, while charities can benefit from fee-free transactions if they earn less than £100,000 a year.
- No monthly minimum fees – you’ll only be charged for what you use.
- Access to free online accounting software.
- Option to apply for an overdraft facility and business credit card.
- Access to online and mobile banking.
Cons
- If you don’t qualify for fee-free transactions, everyday banking can become expensive.
- Interest is not paid on in-credit balances.
RBS business accounts customer reviews
RBS scored 4.5 out of 5 stars in our 2023 customer satisfaction survey, with 96.8% of users surveyed saying that they would recommend the business account service. Its users highlighted the easy to use app and strong customer service. Here’s what some of those RBS customers had to say in our survey:
“Their customer service is unrivalled. The interface on their website and user experience on both website and mobile app is smooth”
“I use it for my self-employed business. I use it almost daily and never have any issues at all”
“Great customer service and customer interactions”
On the Apple App Store, RBS scored 4.5 out of 5 stars based on around 21,000 reviews. On the Google Play Store, RBS has scored 4.6 out of 5 stars, from a total of 62,900 reviews (last updated, March 2023).
Our verdict
If you’re after a well-known high-street brand, with the option of banking online and by phone, an RBS business account could be right for you.
If you’re a new business, the startup account offers some much-needed breathing space by waiving banking fees for the first 2 years. Charities can also benefit from fee-free banking, providing they don’t earn more than £100,000 a year.
However, if you don’t qualify for free banking, fees can quickly rack up, so it’s worth comparing what other business bank accounts are available before making your decision.
Frequently asked questions
Business banking ratings
Our customer satisfaction scores ("Customers say") are based on a survey of 623 customers carried out in December 2022.
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