How to Make The Most of Your Business Account Benefits
June 27, 2024
Practical insights on how UK SMEs and sole traders can maximise the benefits of their business bank accounts.
Compare Bank Accounts
for your business today
Time is money. Save both by quickly comparing the
most suitable business bank accounts for your business
Promoted Accounts – September 2024
Compare UK Business Bank Accounts
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Monthly Fee
£9.99 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
20 free per month20 free per month, then 20p per transfer -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash deposits via Post Office (0.5% fee, minimum £2.50) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Create and send invoices for free
- Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
- 1 free expense card included
Eligibility Criteria
- For registered business account: you must be registered with UK Companies House as a director of that company or partnership
- For sole trader account: you must be a UK based sole trader/freelancer
- For all accounts: you must be aged 18+, have a valid UK phone number and address, and hold compatible device registered to a UK App or Google Play store
-
Monthly Fee
£49.99 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeUnlimited free bank transfers -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash deposits via Post Office (0.5% fee, minimum £2.50) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Create and send invoices for free
- 3 free expense cards included
- 0.5% cashback on Tide card spend (T&Cs apply)
Eligibility Criteria
- For registered business account: you must be registered with UK Companies House as a director of that company or partnership
- For sole trader account: you must be a UK based sole trader/freelancer
- For all accounts: you must be aged 18+, have a valid UK phone number and address, and hold compatible device registered to a UK App or Google Play store
Dedicated team of account managers
3 FREE Expense Cards for co-workers
Unlimited transfers per month
3 FREE Expense Cards for co-workers
Unlimited transfers per month
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
5 free per month- 5 free local transfers per month, then 20p thereafter
- International transfers: £5
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- International payments – Send and receive money from 200 countries
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
International payments – Send and receive money from 200 countries.
Exchange money in 30+ currencies at interbank rates
Exchange money in 30+ currencies at interbank rates
Show More Products From RevolutShow Fewer Products From Revolut
-
Monthly Fee
£19 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
100 free per month- 100 free local transfers per month, then 20p thereafter
- International transfers: £5
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- Earn annual interest daily with a linked business savings account
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
5 no fee international transfers – £5 fee applies thereafter
1 complimentary Metal card – £49 fee applies thereafter
1 complimentary Metal card – £49 fee applies thereafter
-
Monthly Fee
£79 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
1,000 free per month- 1000 free local transfers per month, then 20p thereafter
- International transfers: £5
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- Earn annual interest daily with a linked business savings account
- 2 complimentary metal cards
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
25 no fee international transfers – £5 fee applies thereafter
2 complimentary Metal card – £49 fee applies thereafter
2 complimentary Metal card – £49 fee applies thereafter
-
Monthly Fee
Contact Revolut -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Contact Revolut -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/OnlineNo cash or cheque facilities
Product Features
- Multi-currency accounts – recieve payments and exchange in 25+ currencies
- Control and monitor team spending with multiple debit and virtual cards, manage permissions and levels of access and more
- Various payment facilities including Tap to Pay on iPhone (fees apply)
- Earn annual interest daily with a linked business savings account
- Tailored for larger businesses
Eligibility Criteria
- Available for limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, Partnerships & unlimited companies
- Currently available for companies registered in and with a physical presence within the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, UK and US
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeSWIFT payments vary £10-£20 -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online
Product Features
- Open domestic and foreign currency accounts with local bank details around the world with no monthly fees within minutes.
- Make international transfers to 150+ countries – save up to 80% on FX fees, app. 70% of funds arrive within a few hours / same day
- Accept payments worldwide via 160+ payment methods – no coding required
- Issue multi currency corporate cards
- Integrates with platforms like Xero, Amazon, Shopify, WooCommerce & more
- Automate your domestic and international bill pay workflows
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Be a sole trader, partner in a partnership, or company
- Your business is registered in the UK. More markets are available with different Airwallex entities. Details can be found on the Airwallex website.
*10% cashback on your first $1,000 USD equivalent in eligible international card spend.
Show More Products From AirwallexShow Fewer Products From Airwallex
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
Free -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online
Product Features
- Access to the multi-functional Wallester Business platform absolutely free
- Use the Wallester solution for free forever, pay only if you need more cards
- Expense control services and automated reporting
- Cutting-edge API for easy integration
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Be a sole trader, partner in a partnership, or company
Get 300 free virtual cards Free package of 300 virtual cards with zero fees or limitations
Show More Products From WallesterShow Fewer Products From Wallester
-
Monthly Fee
£12.50Plus one-off £55 application fee -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
From 30p- Direct Debits: 30p
- Faster Payments (next day online): 30p
- Faster Payments (instant online): £7.50
- CHAPS: £30
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/OnlinePay in cash and cheques via Barclays branches
Product Features
- No credit checks or signatures required
- Up to 4 additional cards for business use
- UK-based customer support.
- International payments in a range of currencies
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Partnerships
- Your business must be registered in the UK and have an annual turnover of less than £2m
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident. Card One Money need to be able to verify your identity & residency.
- Card One Money is no covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. See product FAQs for more info
Open an account on the same day you apply with no credit checks.
Show More Products From Card One MoneyShow Fewer Products From Card One Money
-
Monthly Fee
Free*12 months free, £6.50 per month thereafter* -
Card Purchases
FreeNon-Sterling Transaction fee – 2.99% of the
sterling amount of the transaction, minimum
£3. Cash Fee – 2.99% of the amount advanced,
minimum £3. -
Bank Transfers
Free- Direct Debits & Internal Transfers: Free
- CHAPS: £20 to another HSBC Group bank
account, £30 to a non-HSBC Group bank
account via by phone or in-branch banking.
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App
Product Features
- No monthly account fee for the first 12 months, £6.50 thereafter. Other fees and charges apply, subject to eligibility, credit check and T&Cs
- Cashflow and spending insights
- Make payments of up to £25,000 per day in app
- Access great perks and benefits to kick start your business
- Send International Payments to over 150 countries
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a sole trader or a limited company with a sole director who is also the sole shareholder
- Must be a tax resident in the UK but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- Your turnover is up to £6.5m per year
*You must be one of the first 2,000 businesses to download the HSBC Kinetic app, successfully open a HSBC Kinetic Current Account between 2nd August and 31st October 2024 (inclusive). Once you’ve opened your HSBC Kinetic Current Account you must, order and activate your HSBC Kinetic Debit Card and make 10 or more ‘qualifying transactions’ using your HSBC Kinetic Debit Card by 30 November 2024. Ends 31 October 2024. See T&Cs for full promotion details & eligibility. Restrictions apply, see amazon.co.uk/gc-legal.
Show More Products From HSBCShow Fewer Products From HSBC
-
Monthly Fee
FreePlus a one-off card issue fee of £9.95 -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
3 free per month3 free per month, then 30p thereafter -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash paid in via Post Office (0.5% fee)
Product Features
- 24/7 app and online account facilities
- FSCS protection – up to £85,000
- UK-based customer services team
- Invoicing tools that allow you to create and send invoices easily
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to UK registered companies or UK-based sole traders
- Application made by UK Director
- UK Director 18 years old plus
Show More Products From ZemplerShow Fewer Products From Zempler
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
From 20p- Domestic: 20p per bank transfer
- International: £5 per SWIFT transaction (+1% currency conversion fee)
- Free direct debits
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash accepted via PayPoint (1% commission fee)
Product Features
- 1 debit card included (£3 per extra card) – 1% cashback on selected categories
- Personal payment link for accepting payments online (1% commission)
- Instant invoice generator and savings pots facility (fees apply)
- Landlords / property investors get a free 12 month subscription to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- FastTrack to Credit – Boost your credit score and get access to credit after 3 months activity
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Sole Trader, Director of a Limited Company (and listed on Companies House), or a Partner in a Limited Liability Partnership
- Business must be located within the UK and you also need to have a UK residential address
- Not available to charities
ANNA Business comes with invoice generator tools, HMRC recognized Tax calculator and filing. Automate your bookkeeping with ANNA.
Show More Products From Anna MoneyShow Fewer Products From Anna Money
-
Monthly Fee
£14.90- £14.90 + VAT per month
- or £149 + VAT a year if billed annually
-
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
50 free per month- Domestic: 50 free per month, then 20p thereafter
- International: 1 free per month, then £5 per SWIFT transaction (+1% currency conversion fee)
- Free direct debits
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash accepted via PayPoint (£300 per month free, then 1% commission fee)
Product Features
- Up to 5 debit cards included (£3 per extra card) – 1% cashback on selected categories
- Personal payment link for accepting payments online (£200 per month free, then 1% commission fee)
- Instant invoice generator and savings pots facility (fees apply)
- Landlords / property investors get a free 12 month subscription to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- FastTrack to Credit – Boost your credit score and get access to credit after 3 months activity
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Sole Trader, Director of a Limited Company (and listed on Companies House), or a Partner in a Limited Liability Partnership
- Business must be located within the UK and you also need to have a UK residential address
- Not available to charities
ANNA Business comes with invoice generator tools, HMRC recognized Tax calculator and filing. Automate your bookkeeping with ANNA.
-
Monthly Fee
£49.90
£49.90 + VAT per month
Or £499 a year +VAT if billed annually
-
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
From free- Domestic: unlimited free transfers
- International: 4 free SWIFT payments per month, then £5 per payment
-
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash accepted via PayPoint with no fees
Product Features
- Unlimited free debit cards – 1% cashback on selected categories
- Personal payment link for accepting payments online with no fees
- Instant invoice generator and savings pots facility
- Landlords / property investors get a free 12 month subscription to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- FastTrack to Credit – Boost your credit score and get access to credit after 3 months activity
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a Sole Trader, Director of a Limited Company (and listed on Companies House), or a Partner in a Limited Liability Partnership
- Business must be located within the UK and you also need to have a UK residential address
- Not available to charities
ANNA Business comes with invoice generator tools, HMRC recognized Tax calculator and filing. Automate your bookkeeping with ANNA.
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeDirect Debits, BACS, Faster Payments: Free
CHAPS: £25 via phone; £15 via online banking -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
Full
Product Features
- Free everyday digital business banking. No monthly fee. No charges for all automated credits, cash withdrawals and debit card purchases.
- Integrate your accountancy software like Xero, Sage or Quickbooks within your online banking
- Online and in-person banking including mobile, instant secure messaging, UK based contact centre, and in branch
- Single Directors and Sole Traders could receive their account details within three days
- Co-operative Bank business customers get free, unlimited access to the Go Get Paid app – the fast, simple and secure way to get paid.
- Customers can also access selected Clover payment terminals for £1 a month for their first 12 months (fees apply).
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a UK resident with a business address in the UK
- Must be a sole trader or Ltd company that is owned or controlled by one person
- Must be 18 or over
Charges apply for cash and cheque transactions and other special services e.g. foreign and CHAPS payments. You can deposit cash in branch and in the Post Office for £1.50 per cheque or £1.50 per £100 of cash deposited.
An overdraft arrangement fee applies and where security is required, additional security fees may apply.
Application subject to status (including credit checks and an assessment of your financial circumstances), eligibility and T&Cs.
An overdraft arrangement fee applies and where security is required, additional security fees may apply.
Application subject to status (including credit checks and an assessment of your financial circumstances), eligibility and T&Cs.
Show More Products From The Co-operative BankShow Fewer Products From The Co-operative Bank
-
Monthly Fee
FreeNo monthly fee for first 3 months, £3 per month thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
30p -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
AppNo cheque facilities.
Cash paid in via Post Office (0.5% fee – £2 minimum) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Monthly subscription fees that go up and down in line with your business performance
- Rated ‘Excellent’ based on over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot
- Built-in accounting software with receipt capture and live business insights
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to sole traders and limited companies
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident
- £750 maximum monthly deposit
Pay no subscription fees during your trial. Other transaction charges may apply.
Show More Products From Counting UpShow Fewer Products From Counting Up
-
Monthly Fee
FreeNo monthly fee for first 3 months, then £9 thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
30p -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
AppNo cheque facilities
Cash paid in via Post Office (0.5% fee – £2 minimum) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Monthly subscription fees that go up and down in line with your business performance
- Rated ‘Excellent’ based on over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot
- Built-in accounting software with receipt capture and live business insights
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a UK resident, at least 18 years old and running a small business (Sole Trader/Director of a limited company)
- If your maximum monthly deposit is exceeded, then your account will automatically upgrade to the appropriate subscription plan. You will not be able to downgrade from this plan.
- £7,500 maximum monthly deposit
Pay no subscription fees during your trial. Other transaction charges may apply.
-
Monthly Fee
FreeNo monthly fee for first 3 months, then £18 thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
30p -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
AppNo cheque facilities
Cash paid in via Post Office (0.5% fee – £2 minimum) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Monthly subscription fees that go up and down in line with your business performance
- Rated ‘Excellent’ based on over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot
- Built-in accounting software with receipt capture and live business insights
Eligibility Criteria
- Available to sole traders and limited companies
- You must be 18+ and a UK resident
- Unlimited monthly deposits
Pay no subscription fees during your trial. Other transaction charges may apply.
-
Monthly Fee
Free30 months free, £7 per month thereafter -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
FreeFree for first 30 months then 35p thereafter if balance remains at £1,000. 70p if balance falls below £1,000 at any time.
CHAPS: £25 via phone; £15 via online banking. -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
Full
Product Features
- Free for the first 30 months, only if you maintain a credit balance of £1,000. £7 monthly fee applies after 30 months, and if your balance falls below £1,000 during the introductory period.
- Deposit £1,000 in cash and 25 cheques per charging period for free via Post Office/branch. Charges apply for exceeding these limits.
- Co-operative Bank business customers get free, unlimited access to the Go Get Paid app – the fast, simple and secure way to get paid.
- Online and in-person banking including mobile, instant secure messaging, UK contact centre and in branch
- Integrate your accountancy software like Xero, Sage or Quickbooks within your online banking
- Customers can also access selected Clover payment terminals for £1 a month for their first 12 months (fees apply).
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a UK resident with a business address in the UK
- Soletrader, partnerships, Ltd companies or LLP accepted
- Must be 18 or over
Application subject to status (including credit checks and an assessment of your financial circumstances), eligibility and T&Cs.
An overdraft arrangement fee applies and where security is required, additional security fees may apply.
An overdraft arrangement fee applies and where security is required, additional security fees may apply.
-
Monthly Fee
Free -
Card Purchases
Free -
Bank Transfers
20p -
Overdraft
-
Access Methods
App/Online- No cheque facilities
- Cash deposits via Post Office (0.5% fee, minimum £2.50) and PayPoint (3% fee)
Product Features
- Create and send invoices for free
- Multi-business – hold up to 5 business accounts
- Automated 30-day cash flow forecasts
Eligibility Criteria
- For registered business account: you must be registered with UK Companies House as a director of that company or partnership
- For sole trader account: you must be a UK based sole trader/freelancer
- For all accounts: you must be aged 18+, have a valid UK phone number and address, and hold compatible device registered to a UK App or Google Play store
Show More Products From TideShow Fewer Products From Tide
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How to compare business bank accounts…
Step One
Understand your requirements
How you do business will effect the type of account you need. How many transactions will you have each month? Do you need to pay in cash? Do you need a local branch?
Step Two
Check eligibility
Most providers have a range of business accounts to suit different types of businesses. Check the eligibility of each account to make sure if suited to your business.
Step Three
Compare the latest deals and offer
There are numerous offers and deals to attract new customers which can be compared with our handy tool above. Always consider the cost of the account once the free period ends
Latest Business Banking News & helpful guides
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April 27, 2024
We explore the importance and benefits of business bank accounts for you and your business.