When it comes to finances, it’s important that right from the start of your business you set up a separate bank account for your business as combining business and personal finances can be a very risky thing to do.
As you setup your business bank account you must ensure that you open it using your business or trading name. This not only helps you separate your personal finances from your business finances, it also gives your clients and customers confidence and also confirms that you are a properly registered business.
Below are some of the available business banking providers in the UK including their various features that they offer to entrepreneurs and businesses.
Tide Bank
Tide is an innovative business banking service designed specifically for small businesses. Tide is a business financial platform and the leading provider of digital business banking services in the UK. Tide provides business banking solutions suitable for freelancers, small businesses and scalable businesses.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- Free online sign-up in minutes
- Free contactless Mastercard
- Accessible online and App
- 20p when sending or receiving money from a non-Tide account
- Free transfers to Tide members
- No annual or monthly fees
- Free card usage, at home and abroad
- £1 ATM withdrawal
- Accounting integrations – Quickbooks, Xero, Sage and more
- Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
- FREE replacement cards
For details visit Tide
Starling Bank
Starling Bank is an award-winning digital bank based in the United Kingdom which focuses on current and business account products. Starling Bank provides business banking solutions suitable for sole traders and businesses.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- Eligibility UK businesses
- Apply for a free digital business account in minutes
- Accessible online and App
- 24/7 customer support
- No monthly fees or UK payment charges
- Free ATM withdrawals
- No fees abroad
- Mobile and online banking
- Integrated with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgents
- Receipt capture
- Free access to multiple directors
- Britain’s Best Business Banking Provider 2021
- FSCS Protection up to £85,000
For details visit Starling
Cashplus Bank
Cashplus Bank is a UK challenger bank which was established back in 2005 and provides simpler, faster, smarter current banking solutions for entrepreneurs, independent businesses and consumers that power the UK economy.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- Eligibility UK businesses
- For freelancers, sole traders, SMEs and growing businesses
- Contactless Mastercard (£9.95)
- Fast online application
- No credit check to open an account
- Accessible online and App 24/7
- Instant online decision
- Account Number and Sort Code immediately available
- No monthly fees (for the Go account)
- Integrates with Accounting software inc. Xero, Quickbooks & Sage
- Faster payments in and out
- Pay in & withdraw cash at any UK Post Office (0.3% fee)
- Friendly UK support
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection up to £85,000
For details visit CashPlus
Barclays Bank
Some of the basic features include:
- Free business banking for the first 12 months
- Free invoicing and account software from FreshBooks
- Simple and secure Online Banking with group payments and cash collection booking tools
- A UK-based team of business managers to help you manage and grow your business
- Specialist advice from our international team of high-growth and entrepreneur experts
Account fees thereafter include:
- Two price plans (mixed payments and e-payments)
- Cash machine cash out and electronic internal transfer free for both plans
- Monthly account fee – £8.00 for mixed and £8.50 with e-payments
- Cheques and assisted payments (in or out) £0.65 per transaction (mixed) and £1.50 per transaction (e-payments)
- Cash payments (in or out) £0.90 per £100 (mixed) and £1.50 per £100 (e-payments)
- Electronic payments (in or out) £0.35 per transaction (mixed) and Free (e-payments)
For details visit Barclays
Metro Bank
Metro Bank offers all types of business banking products and solutions for all types of business ranging from Startups to larger organisations.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- Fast and hassle-free account opening
- Accessible on mobile phone
- No monthly fee for balances of over £6000.
- Smart accounting software such as digital receipt capture, direct bank feeds with Xero, and more.
- Free card use within Europe (card purchase and withdrawal). .
- 24/7 UK-based telephone banking with a local Business Manager
- Free internet banking.
- Expert advice from Enterprise Nation
For details visit Metro Bank
Santander Bank
Santander provides a range of business banking and finance products and solutions to UK-registered businesses.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- 12 or 18 months of free business banking
- UK registered businesses and up to 2 directors, owners (shareholders) or partners
- Interest on credit balances applies
- Standard day-to-day banking
- Online and mobile banking
- SMS and email alerts about your account
- Access online, at Santander ATMs and Post Office branches
- Arranged overdraft (subject to status)
For details visit Santander
NatWest Bank
NatWest, is a major retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom that offers a wide range of business banking and finance products and solutions to businesses of various sizes. NatWest Business Banking is available to eligible customers, over 18 who have the right to be self-employed in the UK.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- UK registered business only
- A speedy online application process that won’t take up too much of your time
- 18 months FREE business banking then account standard tariffs thereafter apply
- Free accounting software with FreeAgent
- Accessible online and App
- UK based telephone banking lines open 24/7, 365 days a year
- The Start up business account available for businesses that have been trading for less than 1 year and have a turnover of less than £1m.
- Overdraft available (subject to status)
For details visit NatWest
Mettle (Self-employed or Side Hustle)
Mettle is part of NatWest Group and is a free mobile business account that helps you start, run and grow your business. It is built for self-employed and those running a side hustle.
Some of the basic features include the following:
- You’re a UK-based company with owners that are UK residents
- Completely free. No monthly charges or transaction fees
- Sole traders with a balance of up to £50k
- Limited companies (up to 2 owners) with a balance of up to £100k
- Apply in minutes and manage your account from the Mettle app
- 100% free account gives you the tools you need to stay on top of your business finances
- Sync with accounting software like Xero and FreeAgent
- Free accounting software to create your invoices on-the-go.
- Online support through the Mettle app when you need it
- No access to credit
- No international payments
- No cheque deposits
For details visit Natwest Mettle
Lloyds Bank
Lloyds Bank is a British retail and commercial bank that offers a wide range of personal and business banking and finance solutions to help entrepreneurs and business to grow.
Some of the features include the following:
- UK registered businesses (a sole trader, partner or company director)
- Be aged 18 or over
- New and small businesses and turnover of under £3m
- 12 months’ free day-to-day business banking¹ for new businesses
- Mobile Business Banking app
- Simple pricing including free electronic payments
- Dedicated support from UK-based business management team
- Useful guides and practical business tools
For details visit Lloyds
Royal Bank of Scotland
RBS business banking is available to eligible customers over 18, who have the right to be self employed in the UK
Some of the features include the following:
- UK registered businesses
- Quick online application process
- Trading less than a year and turnover of less than £1m
- 24-months transaction fee free banking then pay as you go
- No minimum monthly charge – only pay for what you use
- Access to Business Builder learning platform and Business Growth events
- Free access to FreeAgent, online accounting software
- Expert business support
- Most banking activities available through Digital Banking
- 24/7 Everyday banking support online, by phone and mobile
- Contactless Visa debit card (by application) for your day-to-day expenses
For details visit Royal Bank of Scotland
The Cooperative Bank
The Co-operative Bank plc is a retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom that offers business banking and finance solutions to all types of business. The Business Current Account comes with 30 months free everyday business banking for Co-operative Bank Business customers.
For the first 30 months customers will benefit from the following:
- No monthly service charge
- Faster payments
- Automated debits and withdrawals (charges apply for cheque and cash transactions)
- ATM cash withdrawals (Some ATMs may have their own fee)
- Debit card purchases
Other features include the following:
- Mobile app
- UK-based customer support
- Online banking
- No additional cost to deposit cash at the Post Office®
- Save Time, Automate your Financial Admin and Get Paid on time with the payment app from Incomeing
For details visit The Cooperative Bank