We say
★★★★★
Finder expert rating
★★★★★
Finder expert rating
25 months of banking for free
Once the 25-month free period ends, you’ll need to start paying some feesTSB business bank account review
TSB is a well-known banking name on the British high street, but how does its business account shape up?
25 months of banking for freeOnce the 25-month free period ends, you’ll need to start paying some feesWhat's in this review?
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What types of business account are on offer and what are the fees?
TSB offers one type of business account, called Business Plus.
One of the biggest draws of this account is that it provides free business banking for the first 25 months of use.
After this free period, you’ll be transferred onto a standard tariff, which includes a £5 monthly fee. But it’s worth noting that if your business account balance averages above £10,000 over the course of a month, you won’t be charged the £5 fee for that month.
On the standard tariff there are also some small charges for cheques (70p for each cheque paid into or out of the account) and cash (70p per £100 paid in, out or exchanged). But direct debits, other electronic payments and ATM withdrawals are all still free.
What are the features of Business Plus?
- Internet and mobile banking. Manage your account 24/7 online or via the TSB business banking mobile app. You can check balances and make payments to existing payees in the app, though you’ll need to log in to Internet banking to set up standing orders or add new payees.
- Branch network. TSB currently operates around 500 branches across England, Scotland and Wales, which you can visit to complete banking transactions or speak to a member of staff in-person. You can also deposit cash and cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches.
- Free debit card. The card is free to apply for and receive (with no annual fee), plus free to spend on and use for cash withdrawals at ATMs in the UK.
- Free Square Reader. This lets you take chip and PIN or contactless payments on the go from your customers. There are no fees for the first £1,000 of sales.
- Integrations. Although not expressly promoted by TSB, accounting software Xero, Quickbooks and Sage all say they can integrate with this business bank account.
- Savings account option. TSB offers the option of opening an interest-paying savings account alongside the Business Plus account.
What about international banking?
You can make international payments from the Business Plus account, but it doesn’t really have any other international banking services or offer a linked euro or dollar account.
The business debit card is operated by Visa, so it can be used by cardholders to make payments anywhere in the world that Visa is accepted.
Pros and cons of TSB business banking
Pros
- 25 months of banking for free (and even after this the fees are still reasonably competitive compared to some other business accounts)
- Branch network for in-person visits
- Internet and mobile banking
- Free business debit card
- Free Square Reader to take customer payments
- Integrations with accounting software available
- Linked savings account option
Cons
- Once the 25-month free period ends, you’ll need to start paying some fees
- Business credit cards are no longer available with this account
- No specific tools to help with account reporting or invoices
Our verdict
Although it’s a high street bank, TSB only offers the one business account, but it is a pretty decent option. The 25-month free banking period is one of the longest out there, and even after that the fees are reasonable compared to the wider market. You can bank online, by mobile or in-branch, and have the option of a free Square Reader to take customer payments. There’s not much in the way of reporting or invoicing tools, like you get with some of the digital-only business accounts, but you can link up to software such as Xero and QuickBooks.
How to contact TSB
By telephone:
0345 835 3858 – lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.
Website live chat:
The automated chat service is available 24/7, then the live chat is staffed by customer support advisers from 9am to 4:30pm on Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Compare TSB against its competitors
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