TSB Business Account Review (2026): Fees, Features and Verdict
TSB: 18 months free banking, the longest high-street free period, with branches, Post Office cash access, and FSCS protection to £120,000. £7.50/month after the free period; no accounting software bundle.
- TSB gives new business customers 18 months of free everyday banking.
- Mobile app, Visa debit card, and UK bank transfers all included at no cost.
- FSCS deposit protection to £120,000 on eligible business account balances.
Choose TSB if you need branch access and can commit to at least 18 months. It offers the longest free banking period of any major UK high-street bank.
Branch access across England, Scotland, and Wales, FSCS deposit protection to £120,000, and free electronic payments. After the free period, the ongoing fee is £7.50/month.
If you don’t actually need a branch, Starling is permanently free, also FSCS-protected, and charges nothing ongoing. TSB’s 18-month advantage disappears the moment you reach month 19 and the £7.50 charge begins.
TSB Business Account at a Glance
Our Verdict
If you need 18 months to build revenue, TSB’s extended free period is a genuine advantage. It’s six months longer than Barclays or NatWest, long enough for most startups to get revenue moving before the ongoing cost applies.
After month 18, you’ll pay £7.50/month, making TSB the most expensive of the main high-street banks. NatWest charges £5/month and bundles FreeAgent for the account lifetime. The real question is whether TSB’s branch coverage justifies the premium over NatWest.
If customer service quality influences your choice, TSB’s 3.9/5 Trustpilot rating matters. From 27,669 reviews (April 2026), that’s the strongest score of any high-street bank we reviewed. NatWest holds 1.4/5. Lloyds holds 1.5/5.
Best For
If you want the longest high-street free period with branch access, TSB is the only major bank offering 18 months. Particularly useful for retail and hospitality operations that regularly deposit cash and value the Post Office banking network.
Not Ideal For
Businesses wanting permanently free banking: Starling at £0 ongoing beats TSB at £7.50/month after month 18. Also unsuitable for businesses that want accounting software bundled in or those that need advanced digital tools.
Key Facts
Free period: 18 months for new businesses (longest of major high-street banks).
Monthly fee after free period: £7.50/month.
FSCS protection: Up to £120,000 per eligible depositor (full banking licence).
Branches: England, Scotland, and Wales, plus Post Office banking for cash and cheques.
Cash deposit fee: 70p per £100.
Trustpilot: 3.9/5 from 27,669 reviews (April 2026).
TSB Business Plus Account
What Is TSB Business Account and How Does It Work?
How the Account Works
Your TSB Business Current Account gives you a UK sterling sort code, account number, Visa debit card, and access to online banking and the TSB mobile app (iOS and Android). Electronic payments in and out are free with no per-transaction cap.
Cash deposits cost 70p per £100. Cheques paid in or out cost 70p each. ATM withdrawals from TSB machines are free. We confirmed these from TSB’s published tariff at tsb.co.uk in April 2026.
New businesses get 18 months free, then must pay £7.50/month. There is no plan that removes the ongoing fee permanently. No accounting software is bundled.
Who the Account Is Designed For
We reviewed TSB as the extended-free-period choice for startups that need branch infrastructure. The account is designed for businesses that want a recognised banking name, 18 months of cost-free operation, and the ability to deposit cash at a branch or Post Office.
It suits sole traders, limited companies, and partnerships in England, Scotland, and Wales that plan to use their branch access regularly during the free period and can justify £7.50/month after it ends.
How to Open an Account
You can apply online or in branch. Prepare identity documents, company formation details, and business address confirmation. For limited companies, have director and shareholder information ready. Check tsb.co.uk for current documentation requirements before you start.
The onboarding gap is a drawback: TSB’s online application is slower than app-first challengers like Starling. Allow several business days for processing. If you’re switching during a busy month, ensure supplier payments and payroll are covered before you begin.
Account Plans and Pricing
Free and Paid Plans
You only get one plan: TSB does not offer multiple pricing tiers. There is one Business Current Account. New businesses get 18 months free, then £7.50/month applies. There is no plan that removes the ongoing fee permanently.
The real cost comparison: over three years, TSB costs £135 in fees (months 19-36). NatWest costs £120 in fees (months 13-36) with FreeAgent included. Starling costs £0. The catch is TSB’s longer free period doesn’t offset its higher ongoing charge.
Monthly Fees
New businesses: 18 months free, then £7.50/month. We confirmed current fees from tsb.co.uk in April 2026. Verify the free period terms and any conditions before applying.
At £7.50/month, TSB is more expensive than NatWest (£5/month) after the free period. The free period advantage (18 vs 12 months) is worth £45 over the difference period, but NatWest recovers that through the lower ongoing rate and FreeAgent inclusion.
| Fee Type | TSB | NatWest | Starling (digital) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly account fee | £7.50/month (after free period) | £5/month (after free period) | Free |
| Free banking period | 18 months | 12 months (startups) | No free period needed |
| Accounting software | Not included | FreeAgent free for account lifetime | Not included |
| FSCS protection | £120,000 | £120,000 | £120,000 |
Transaction and Transfer Fees
Your electronic and debit payments are free with no per-transaction charge. ATM withdrawals from TSB machines are free. We confirmed these from TSB’s published tariff in April 2026.
Cash Deposit, ATM and Card Charges
Cash deposits cost 70p per £100. Cheques paid in or out cost 70p each. We confirmed these from TSB’s published tariff at tsb.co.uk in April 2026.
If you handle £1,500/week in cash, weekly deposit fees cost £10.50. That adds £40–£45/month on top of the £7.50 account fee. The monthly-fee headline doesn’t capture this for cash-handling businesses.
| Transaction Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic payments (in and out) | Free |
| Debit card payments | Free |
| ATM withdrawals (TSB machines) | Free |
| Cash deposits | 70p per £100 |
| Cheques paid in or out | 70p per item |
Banking Features
Payments, Transfers and Direct Debits
Your electronic payments, direct debits, and standing orders are all free. No per-transaction charge on day-to-day business spending.
Cards and Expense Cards
Your account includes a Visa debit card; additional employee cards are unconfirmed. We could not verify whether TSB offers employee debit cards or expense card features from primary sources in April 2026. Confirm card options at tsb.co.uk.
Accounting Integrations and Business Tools
If you use Xero, QuickBooks, or similar tools, you can connect them via Open Banking for a live bank feed. Confirmed from TSB’s published product information in April 2026. No manual CSV exports needed.
Beyond Open Banking, TSB’s integration is minimal: no dedicated accounting partnership, bundled software, or workflow tools. No built-in invoicing, expense tracking, or VAT return workflow.
Choose NatWest if accounting software matters: it charges £5/month and includes FreeAgent for life. TSB charges £7.50/month with no software bundle. Buy FreeAgent separately (£10–£19/month) and TSB costs £12.50–£21.50/month more than NatWest combined.
Multi-User Access and Spending Controls
If you need multi-user controls, verify these directly: we could not confirm specific team account access options from tsb.co.uk primary sources in April 2026. Confirm current options directly with TSB.
Savings, Credit or Other Extra Features
Your overdraft options include both arranged and unarranged facilities. Unarranged overdrafts carry a daily fee plus a £12 fee for unpaid items. We confirmed these from TSB’s published charges guide in April 2026.
Arranged overdraft terms need direct verification: they were not available from primary sources in April 2026. Verify at tsb.co.uk before drawing on any facility.
If you expect to need credit, TSB’s full-service bank model has practical value. Unlike Starling or Tide, a branch conversation about overdraft or working capital is available from day one. Your trading history is already on record when the conversation happens.
International Features
Sending International Payments
If you send international payments, budget extra. TSB applies standard exchange rates with fees on overseas transactions. Exact FX margins were not available in April 2026 documentation. Verify current costs at tsb.co.uk before sending.
Receiving International Payments
TSB accepts inbound international transfers to your sterling account. We could not verify specific inbound FX charges from primary sources in April 2026. Confirm current inbound transfer charges at tsb.co.uk.
Foreign Exchange Fees and Currency Support
Multi-currency is a gap: TSB does not offer a built-in multi-currency account. All balances are held in sterling.
If you have regular international suppliers or revenue, compare TSB to alternatives. Wise Business applies mid-market rates with fees from ~0.43%. Airwallex offers multi-currency accounts with competitive rates. Both operate alongside TSB as a main account.
Eligibility and Account Limits
Who Can Apply
If you’re a sole trader, partner, or company director aged 18+, you’re eligible. We confirmed eligibility criteria from tsb.co.uk in April 2026. Verify current requirements directly with TSB before applying.
Supported Business Types
Your business type must be sole trader, partnership, or limited company. LLPs should verify eligibility at tsb.co.uk; we did not confirm LLP acceptance from TSB’s primary documentation. If your structure requires LLP support, confirm TSB’s position directly.
Account Limits and Restrictions
Your deposits are FSCS-protected up to £120,000 per eligible depositor per banking licence. If you hold more than £120,000 at TSB, the excess sits outside FSCS protection. For most operating accounts, that ceiling exceeds working balances.
Specific payment limits need direct verification: we could not confirm them from primary sources in April 2026. Confirm current account limits at tsb.co.uk.
App, Online Banking and User Experience
Mobile App Experience
Your mobile access covers standard functions only: balance, payments, and transaction history on iOS and Android. No receipt capture, tax estimates, or cash flow forecasting. The digital experience trails fintech challengers measurably.
If you manage most operations from a phone, skip TSB: Starling or Tide are faster and more integrated day-to-day.
Web and Desktop Access
Your online banking covers payments, statements, and account management. Open Banking connectivity for Xero and QuickBooks is supported from desktop.
Ease of Day-to-Day Account Management
If you operate electronically and use Open Banking for accounting feeds, day-to-day TSB management is straightforward. The friction appears for businesses that need more than standard banking functions.
When you need to deposit cash on a Saturday, TSB’s branch and Post Office network means you can walk in rather than wait until Monday. That operational difference is the real differentiator from app-only accounts.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
What Customers Like
If customer satisfaction matters in your decision, TSB’s 3.9/5 Trustpilot rating from 27,669 reviews (April 2026) is the strongest of any high-street bank we reviewed. NatWest: 1.4/5. Lloyds: 1.5/5. The gap carries weight.
Positive reviews consistently highlight branch staff quality, which you rarely see flagged in digital-bank reviews. The 3.9/5 score tells you enough customer interactions get resolved to maintain a positive average.
Common Complaints
The main downside from reviewers is account access delays and complaint handling. They exist, but they do not dominate the 3.9 score.
TSB’s 3.9/5 sits below fintech ratings (Starling 4.5, Monzo 4.4) but above all traditional competitors when you compare them. For a high-street institution, that signals a customer experience that mostly works.
Customer Support and Service
Support Channels and Availability
Your support options include phone, in-branch assistance, and online contact. The branch network is the structural support differentiator: when you chase a dispute or query a payment, a branch conversation resolves faster than waiting for in-app support.
Specific business phone support hours need direct verification: not available from primary sources in April 2026. Confirm current support availability at tsb.co.uk.
Help Centre and Self-Service Resources
Your self-service option is TSB’s online Business Help Centre covering account management, payments, and common queries. For complex issues, the branch route is typically faster than self-service for relationship banking questions.
Security, Regulation and FSCS Protection
Regulation and Authorisation
Your deposits are held with a fully licensed UK bank: TSB Bank plc holds PRA and FCA authorisation. We confirmed this from the FCA Financial Services Register in April 2026.
This puts TSB in the same regulatory class as Barclays, NatWest, and Lloyds — choose TSB over an e-money provider if statutory FSCS protection is required, not the contractual safeguarding Tide and Revolut use.
FSCS Protection or Safeguarding
Eligible deposits at TSB are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per eligible depositor. This is the statutory deposit guarantee, not a contractual e-money safeguarding arrangement.
The gap matters if you hold significant capital: Tide routes deposits through e-money safeguarding, not the statutory FSCS guarantee that TSB provides. For businesses holding significant working capital, that structural difference is material.
Security Features
Your account uses standard UK banking security: chip and PIN, 3D Secure for online card payments, and two-factor authentication.
Specific fraud protection details need direct verification: not available from primary sources in April 2026. Confirm current security features at tsb.co.uk.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 18 months free banking: the longest introductory period of any major UK high-street bank
- FSCS deposit protection to £120,000: full UK banking licence (PRA/FCA regulated)
- Branch access across England, Scotland, and Wales, plus Post Office banking for cash and cheques
- Business overdraft facility available
- Free electronic payments in and out
- 3.9/5 Trustpilot rating from 27,669 reviews (April 2026): strongest score of the high-street banks
Cons
- £7.50/month after the 18-month free period: more expensive than NatWest (£5/month)
- No accounting software bundle: NatWest includes FreeAgent free for the account lifetime at lower cost
- Cash deposits cost 70p per £100; cheques 70p each: significant for cash-handling businesses
- Smaller branch network than Barclays or NatWest
- Limited digital tools compared to fintech challengers
- No multi-currency account; standard FX rates apply
Who TSB Business Account Is Best For
Best Use Cases
If you’re starting a business, TSB’s 18-month free period is valuable runway. A business that opens in month one and reaches sustainable revenue by month 12 still has six months free. For startups, that extension matters.
If your business handles cash regularly, TSB’s branch and Post Office network give you a genuine day-to-day advantage. Physical banking infrastructure matters if you take cash payments.
When to Consider Alternatives
Avoid TSB if accounting software is central to your decision. NatWest’s £5/month fee includes FreeAgent free for life. Against TSB at £7.50/month with no software, NatWest changes the arithmetic.
Skip TSB if permanently free banking is your goal. Starling is free indefinitely, FSCS-protected, and carries no ongoing fee. Over three years, TSB costs £135 in fees after month 18; Starling costs £0.
TSB Business Account vs Alternatives
TSB vs Starling
The cost gap is permanent: Starling charges £0 forever, with zero domestic transfer fees. The digital experience is stronger than TSB’s. We compared both from their respective websites in April 2026.
Your free period advantage disappears at month 19: TSB costs £7.50/month while Starling remains free. Over three years, that is £135 TSB charges that Starling does not apply.
Choose TSB if you specifically need branch access or Post Office cash banking. Choose Starling if digital banking meets your needs and you want zero ongoing cost.
TSB vs Barclays
Barclays gives you 12 months free and the largest branch network in the UK (1,000+ branches vs TSB’s). £8/month after the free period. No accounting software bundled.
TSB’s 18 months free vs Barclays’ 12 months gives TSB a 6-month cost advantage worth £48 at Barclays rates. After the free period, Barclays at £8/month costs £0.50 more than TSB’s £7.50.
Choose Barclays if you need the largest branch network and a wider lending suite. Choose TSB if the extended free period is the primary decision factor.
TSB vs NatWest
NatWest charges £5/month after 12 months free, includes FreeAgent at no cost, and has 526+ branches. TSB charges £7.50/month after 18 months free, with no accounting software.
Over three years: TSB total fees £135 (months 19-36), NatWest total fees £120 (months 13-36) plus free FreeAgent. TSB’s longer free period costs more in the long run. The trade-off is TSB’s significantly better Trustpilot score: 3.9 vs 1.4.
Choose NatWest for lower long-term cost and FreeAgent. Choose TSB if you want the extended free period or if customer service quality is a meaningful factor in your decision.
Final Verdict: Is TSB Business Account Worth It?
Choose TSB only if the 18-month free period is a genuine operational advantage for your business. For startups that need 18 months to build sustainable revenue before committing to a monthly fee, that runway has real value.
After month 18, the trade-off turns: TSB at £7.50/month costs more than NatWest with no accounting software included. The £7.50/month ongoing is the cost of TSB’s branch network and its 3.9/5 service record.
We reviewed TSB as the extended-free-period choice for businesses that need branch infrastructure and can justify the ongoing cost. If that describes your business, TSB delivers. If you want permanently free banking or better software integration, Starling or NatWest are the stronger choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TSB business account FSCS-protected?
Yes. TSB Bank plc holds a full UK retail banking licence, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the FCA and PRA. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per eligible depositor per banking licence. We verified this from the FCA Financial Services Register in April 2026.
How does TSB compare to NatWest for business banking?
TSB offers 18 months free banking; NatWest offers 12 months free. After the free period, TSB charges £7.50/month; NatWest charges £5/month and includes FreeAgent accounting software free for the account lifetime. Over three years, NatWest costs £120 in fees with FreeAgent included; TSB costs £135 with no software. TSB has a significantly better Trustpilot rating: 3.9/5 vs NatWest’s 1.4/5.
Can I pay in cash with a TSB business account?
Yes. TSB allows cash deposits at TSB high-street branches and Post Office counters. Cash deposits cost 70p per £100 deposited. Cheques paid in or out cost 70p each. We confirmed these charges from TSB’s published tariff at tsb.co.uk in April 2026.
How long does it take to open a TSB business account?
TSB’s business account opening is typically slower than app-based challengers such as Starling. Online and branch applications are available. Allow several business days for processing; more complex structures may take longer. Verify current timelines at tsb.co.uk.
What happens after the 18-month free period ends?
After 18 months, TSB charges £7.50/month for the business current account. Electronic payments remain free. Cash deposits cost 70p per £100; cheques 70p each. The £7.50/month is higher than NatWest’s £5/month ongoing fee. If you decide TSB no longer suits you, the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) allows a free, guaranteed switch to another bank in 7 working days.
We reviewed TSB’s business account by checking current pricing, product terms, and eligibility criteria directly from tsb.co.uk in April 2026.
TSB is authorised by the FCA and FSCS-registered. We confirmed its regulatory status from the FCA register and the FSCS website.
We did not use comparison site data or aggregator summaries as the basis for any product or pricing claim. Where we reference specific fees or rates, we note the source and the date the check was made.
TSB does not currently operate an affiliate programme with BusinessExpert. This review is editorially independent. See our editorial policy for full details.