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
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How we picked theseWhat 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 May 2025).
What type of business accounts does Santander offer?
Santander has 3 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 and international payments: 0300 123 9860
Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.
Lost and stolen debit cards: 0330 123 9860 or freephone on 0800 011 3414
Lines open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Business overdrafts: 0330 678 2509.
Lines open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Business loans: 0330 678 2581.
Lines open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Business credit cards: 0330 678 1783.
Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.
Making a complaint: 0800 028 0078.
Lines open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Customer service information for Santander
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Santander customer reviews
In our independent 2025 customer satisfaction survey, 87% of Santander’s users said they’d recommend the brand to a friend.
On the Apple App Store, Santander is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars from almost 10,900 reviews. On the Google Play Store, Santander is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,300 reviews (April 2025).
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
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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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