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.

4.2 ★★★★★ (387 reviews) Write a review
Santander

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

Name Product UKFSA-CUR Account fee Bank transfers Requires credit check Arranged overdraft Accounting integrations Account management Key benefits Business bottom txt Link
Business Current Account
£7.50 per month
Free

Up to £25,000 subject to eligibility and application
N/A
Online, app & phone
View details
Corporate Current Account
Free
Free
N/A
Online & phone
View details
Corporate Current Account Plus
£15 per month
Free
N/A
Online & phone
View details
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Name Product UKFSA-SAV Interest rate and type Interest paid Invest Term Open via Incentive Table product description Apply link
Santander – 1 Year Fixed Rate Business Bond Issue 179
3.5% AER fixed
Yearly
£10,000 - £5,000,000
01.10.25
Open via: telephone
Go to site
View details
Santander – Business Reward Saver (Issue 11)
1.4% AER variable
Monthly
From £1
Instant access
Open via: branch, telephone
Go to site
View details
Santander – Business Everyday Saver
1.05% AER variable
Monthly
From £1
Instant access
Open via: branch, telephone
Go to site
View details
Santander – Treasurer's Savings Account
1.05% AER variable
Monthly
From £1
Instant access
Open via: branch, telephone
Go to site
View details
Santander – Business Reward Saver (Issue 11)
0.4% AER variable
Monthly
From £1
Instant access
Open via: branch, telephone
Go to site
View details
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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.

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      Written by

      Editor

      Ronny Lavie was a deputy editor at Finder, specialising in insurance content. She has almost a decade of experience writing about financial topics, including five months spent as the interim managing editor for the Fintech Times newspaper. Ronny has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from London Middlesex University. See full bio

      Nick Renaud-Komiya's headshot
      Co-written by

      Writer

      Nick Renaud-Komiya has been a writer and reporter for nine years, covering a range of consumer issues from energy suppliers to banking and mortgage issues. He enjoys helping people take control of their personal finances and better understand their consumer rights. Nick’s consumer writing and money journalism has been featured in a range of outlets including MoneySavingExpert.com, The Sunday Mirror, The Independent and Money.co.uk. Outside of work Nick enjoys cooking and collecting old David Bowie merch. See full bio

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