Santander business bank account comparison and review
Santander has some great free and discounted banking offers for startups, as well as accounts suitable for charities.
Santander offers a range of services to businesses, including current accounts (with special rates for startups), loans, insurance, credit cards and advice on obtaining finance and efficiently running your business.
Compare Santander’s business accounts
1 - 5 of 5
What is Santander business banking?
Santander entered the UK banking market in 2004 and has since grown to serve over 14 million customers across the country. Currently Santander is only supporting existing Santander customers looking to open new Santander business accounts (last checked June 2023).
What type of business accounts does Santander offer?
Santander has three types of current account to serve different circumstances (not including large corporate banking services):
- 1|2|3 Business Current Account. For everyday business banking, with discounted rates for startups (in their first year of trading) and businesses who switch their account to Santander.
- Business Current Account. For everyday business banking, with 18 months free for startups (in their first year of trading).
- Treasurer’s Current Account. For clubs, societies and charities (with a turnover up to £250,000).
Note that all of the above accounts must be used solely for business purposes.
Santander business banking features and charges
Santander’s business accounts include the following benefits:
1|2|3 Business Current Account
- Discounted monthly fee of £5 for startups for 18 months and switchers for 12 months (£12.50 standard monthly fee).
- Unlimited Santander ATM cash deposits.
- Up to £300 cashback each year.
- Interest on your credit balance (0.10% gross/AER).
- Arranged overdraft of 10% EAR (variable). Annual fee 1% of the agreed overdraft (minimum fee £50).
- Access online, at Santander ATMs and Post Office branches.
Business Current Account
- Free everyday banking for startups for 18 months (£7.50 standard monthly fee).
- No charge for cash deposits at Santander ATMs and post office branches up to £1,000 per month (then 70p per £100).
- No interest on your credit balances.
- Arranged overdraft of 10% EAR (variable). Annual fee 1% of the agreed overdraft (minimum fee £50).
- Access online, at Santander ATMs and Post Office branches.
Treasurer’s Current Account
- Free day-to-day banking for clubs, societies and charities.
- Text and email alerts to help you manage your account.
- Easy access – secure online and mobile banking 24/7.
Santander international business banking
Santander customers can make international payments using online and telephone banking.
Cost of international banking:
- Electronic transfer (standard) fee – £25.
- Electronic transfer in euros (non-urgent: SEPA) – free.
- Currency draft (cheque) – £10.
- Currency conversion fee for using card for payments or purchases in foreign currency: 2.95%
Payments in GBP, euros and USD can be made on the same day, as long as they are made by the cut-off time (varies by currency, details on the Santander site).
You can choose whether to pay the fees yourself or charge them to the recipient.
Santander business banking contact details
Depending on your query, Santander can be contacted using the following numbers:
Current accounts, lost/stolen debit card and international payments: 0800 731 6666.
Lines open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm Saturdays.
Loans and overdrafts: 0800 313 4481.
Lines open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Credit cards (including lost/stolen): 0800 218 2345.
Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.
Support for online and mobile banking: 0800 169 6677.
Lines open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.
Making a complaint: 0800 171 2171.
Lines open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.
Customer service information for Santander
| Email support | |
|---|---|
| Telephone support | |
| In-app or live chat | |
| Contact form | |
| Branch support |
Santander customer reviews
In our independent 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 94% of NatWest’s users said they’d recommend the brand to a friend. Customers highlighted the bank’s excellent customer service and easy to use app. Here’s what some of those Santander customers had to say:
“They offer great business advice and support. The services are super accessible and so easy to use.”
“They have a wide range of business prudcts and tools. The customer service team is easy to contact”
On the Apple App Store, Santander is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars from almost 11,500 reviews. On the Google Play Store, NatWest is rated 2.9out of 5 stars from 900 reviews (February 2024).
Pros and cons of a Santander business account
Pros
- Range of business accounts to choose from.
- Free/reduced fee introductory periods.
- Extensive branch network if you prefer to bank in person.
- Overdrafts available.
Cons
- Once any free banking period ends, there are cheaper monthly fees available elsewhere.
- Mixed customer reviews.
Customer service information for Santander
| Email support | |
|---|---|
| Telephone support | |
| In-app or live chat | |
| Contact form | |
| Branch support |
The verdict: Is a Santander business account worth it?
Santander is one of the biggest banking names on the UK high street, so it has a large branch network if you need to make a visit. It has a range of business accounts available depending on your business size and needs, and also offers overdrafts and other banking products. Santander has various free or discounted business banking offers available on new accounts, although once any free banking periods end, the monthly fees are not the most competitive available.
Get started by visiting Santanders’s website and sign up for an account. If you have read this review and decided that Santander’s account is not for you, you can also compare other business bank accounts on the market.
More guides on Finder
-
Women-led firms lag behind in startup funding despite equality drive
The gulf between the amounts received by men vs women from government-backed startup loans has widened, despite calls for more funding for women entrepreneurs.
-
Kroo vs Monzo: Which is the best?
We take a closer look at two of the digital banking brands leading the way in the UK. Compare Kroo and Monzo in our side by side guide.
-
How to buy Rubrik (RBRK) shares when it goes public
Everything we know about the Rubrik IPO, plus information on how to buy shares.
-
Problems in the growth pipeline? The female startup funding gap
Is the UK leaving £250 billion in growth on the table? Our free report shows how female entrepreneurs aren’t getting the same startup funding as men.
-
Robinhood statistics 2024: Users, revenue and growth
We look at the latest statistics on global trading app Robinhood, including the number of users, revenue and profitability.
-
Financial adviser vs coach: Who to talk to about your money
From financial advisers to accountants – if you need help with your personal finances, here’s who to talk to about what.
-
Best ways to invest £20k
Discover how you can build wealth by investing £20,000 and explore some of the top strategies for investing your money.
-
Zing review: An international money transfers app from HSBC
The multi-currency account could be a cost-effective option for anyone who is going abroad, provided you don’t plan to withdraw lots of cash.
-
What is a good salary in London?
According to the latest figures, a single person living in London would need a gross salary of £37,000 to be financially stable.
-
1 in 4 Brits plan to open an ISA in the new tax year
More than 13 million Brits plan to open an ISA after the new financial year starts on 6 April, according to a new Finder survey.