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Best Business Savings Accounts UK (2026)
Shawbrook pays 4.18% on savings you can reach the next working day, and Oxbury Bank 5.13% on money you can leave for two years.
Up to 4.33% AER, but only with all three boosts on a 3.08% base.
Boosts: +0.5% for 15+ transfers a month, +0.5% for six months after a full switch, +0.25% welcome for three months on £50,000+ paid in within 14 days (offer ends 31 January 2027).
Best for an established SME that can hold the conditions. FSCS £120,000 on Allica’s own licence.
For money you may need at short notice, Shawbrook pays 4.18% AER, the most of any easy-access account that takes sole traders and comes with no switch or time limit attached, and withdrawals arrive the next working day. If you can give 95 days’ notice, Marsden Building Society pays 4.15% AER, and if the money can stay put for two years, Oxbury Bank pays 5.13% AER. Wages, tax and unexpected bills belong in easy access. A bill with a known date can go into a notice account, as long as somebody gives notice in time, and only money the business can leave alone until maturity belongs in a fixed bond.
We compared more than 40 accounts from 17 providers. Bank Rate rose to 4% on 5 November 2026, so we read Shawbrook, Tide, Kent Reliance, Cynergy Bank, Marsden, Redwood, Union Bank of India (UK) and Oxbury again at their own product pages on 9 November. The other main rates date from 5 October 2026, Hampshire Trust Bank’s from 14 September and OakNorth’s from 5 November. Hampshire Trust Bank closed its business savings accounts to new applications on 7 October and had not reopened them on 9 November. Variable rates can change, so use the dates beside the figures.
Best Easy Access Business Savings Account
Shawbrook’s Easy Access Business Account pays 4.18% AER from £1,000, with withdrawals settling on the next working day. Kent Reliance pays almost as much: 4.15% AER on its Business Savings Account (Issue 27), but only to UK private limited companies with no more than three directors and major shareholders. Cynergy Bank’s Business Saver pays 3.90% AER and needs at least £10,000. Hampshire Trust Bank’s SME Saver, at 3.91% AER, would be on this shortlist too, but the bank says its business savings accounts are “having a little break”, and on 9 November 2026 they were still closed to new applications. Easy access does not always mean an immediate payment, so check the provider’s withdrawal timetable before relying on the account for same-day cash.See the Shawbrook Easy Access account →See the Kent Reliance business account →
Best Notice Business Savings Account
Marsden Building Society’s Business Deposit Notice 95 (Issue 5) pays 4.15% AER from £5,000, but only limited companies, LLPs and partnerships can open it. Redwood Bank’s 95 Day Business Savings Account (Issue 25) pays 4.05% AER from £10,000 and also takes charities, clubs and associations. If 95 days is too long to wait, United Trust Bank pays 4.00% AER with 60 days’ notice, and Cambridge and Counties and Aldermore pay the same with 95 days. Hampshire Trust Bank’s 4.01% AER notice tracker remains closed to new applications.See the Marsden 95-day notice account →See United Trust Bank notice accounts →
Best Fixed Rate Business Savings Account
Oxbury Bank’s Business 2 Year Bond (Issue 1) pays 5.13% AER from £1,000, and sole traders, partnerships and limited companies can all apply. For money that must come back within a year, Shawbrook’s one-year fixed account pays 4.81% AER from £5,000. Union Bank of India (UK) quotes 5.12% a year gross on a one-year fixed deposit for business customers, but its rate page shows no AER, so the figure cannot be compared directly with the other two.See the Oxbury two-year bond →See the Shawbrook one-year fixed account →
Best Rate for an Existing Account Relationship
Capital on Tap pays 3.48% AER after its 60-day promotion and can be managed alongside its other business products. Tide’s standard rate varies by plan, from 1.75% to 3.51% AER. New Tide members can earn up to 4.51% AER for four months on the first £1m after a full current account switch with £10,000 or more paid in. These accounts are convenient, but neither beats Shawbrook’s 4.18% AER on an ongoing easy-access basis.Open Capital on Tap Savings →Open a Tide Instant Saver →
Highest Conditional Rate
Allica advertises up to 4.33% AER. The account starts from a 3.08% base rate and reaches the maximum only while all three boosts apply. Two boosts expire after three and six months, so the maximum is not a full-year rate.Open an Allica Savings Pot →
Business Savings Account Providers Compared
Each row below is a specific account. The standard AER is the rate that remains after any introductory offer ends, while the maximum AER shows a temporary or conditional rate where one applies.
Business Savings Account Providers Compared
Provider
Product
Account Type
Standard AER
Maximum AER
Minimum or Interest Threshold
Access
Apply
Tide
Instant Saver
Easy access
1.75% to 3.51%, depending on plan
4.51% for four months on the first £1m, after a full switch
Shawbrook, Tide, Kent Reliance, Cynergy Bank, Marsden Building Society, Redwood Bank, Union Bank of India (UK) and Oxbury Bank were checked on 9 November 2026. The other rows were checked on 5 October 2026, and OakNorth was rechecked on 5 November 2026. The Hampshire Trust Bank rates date from 14 September. On 7 October its business savings accounts were closed to new applications while the bank makes changes, and they were still closed on 9 November.
Kent Reliance is a trading name of OneSavings Bank plc, so its deposit protection follows that bank rather than the brand, and only a private limited company with no more than three directors and major shareholders can open its account. Union Bank of India (UK) publishes its fixed deposit rates as a gross annual figure with no AER, so we quote it as published rather than convert it on terms we could not check.
OakNorth’s notice accounts track the Bank of England base rate. The three rates are set at 0.55, 0.15 and 0.10 percentage points below base rate, respectively. The figures above use the 4% base rate set on 5 November 2026. Balances below £50,000 earn no interest.
Tide and Capital on Tap both place savings with ClearBank. Their Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection is therefore shared across eligible deposits held with ClearBank; it is not a separate limit for each app. The other banks in the main comparison have their own banking licences.
Tide Instant Saver Account
Tide Instant Saver Account
Tide’s Instant Saver sits inside the Tide app, so if you already have a Tide current account, setup takes minutes with no separate application.
Watch out: Your rate is set by your Tide plan, and Free-plan users get just 1.75% AER, well below rivals. The headline 4.51% AER needs a full account switch and applies only for the first four months, then you drop to your plan’s standard rate. Deposits are held by ClearBank; if you also hold Capital on Tap savings (also ClearBank-backed), your FSCS protection is shared across both, not doubled.
Not ideal if: Rate shoppers: the standard rates trail dedicated savings accounts, and even a limited company using Open Access (no Tide account needed) earns less than a standalone saver, minus 20p per transfer. Watch the shared FSCS limit if you hold other ClearBank-backed savings, and remember the intro rate lasts only four months.
Standard rateUp to 3.51% AER Plan-dependent: Free 1.75%, Smart 2.26%, Pro 3.25%, Max 3.51%
Intro bonus3.51% AER First 4 months for new members (4.51% on the first £1m after a full account switch with £10,000+ in 14 days), then reverts to plan rate
Balance caps£75k Free, £100k Smart, £100k Pro, £1m Max Standard rate applies up to the plan cap
Access typeInstant access No notice period, no withdrawal penalties
How to openTide Business Account, or Open Access Open Access is for UK limited companies without a Tide account
Open Access transfers20p each Free from a Tide Business Account
FSCS protection£120,000 (ClearBank) Shared with Capital on Tap savings if held, not per account
Minimum deposit£1
Interest paidMonthly
Account feeNo savings fee Standard Tide current account plan fees apply
Eligibility: Two routes. With a Tide Business Account (any tier: Free, Smart, Pro, or Max), UK-registered sole traders and limited companies can open the Instant Saver. Without a Tide account, UK-registered limited companies can open it through Open Access in the app, nominating an external UK business current account. Partnerships and LLPs are not eligible. There is no minimum turnover requirement and no minimum deposit beyond £1. Businesses in higher-risk sectors not accepted by Tide cannot open the saver.
Not ideal if: Rate shoppers: the standard rates trail dedicated savings accounts, and even a limited company using Open Access (no Tide account needed) earns less than a standalone saver, minus 20p per transfer. Watch the shared FSCS limit if you hold other ClearBank-backed savings, and remember the intro rate lasts only four months.
Watch out: Your rate is set by your Tide plan, and Free-plan users get just 1.75% AER, well below rivals. The headline 4.51% AER needs a full account switch and applies only for the first four months, then you drop to your plan’s standard rate. Deposits are held by ClearBank; if you also hold Capital on Tap savings (also ClearBank-backed), your FSCS protection is shared across both, not doubled.
Instant access, no notice period, no penalties
Integrated with Tide current account: one-click transfers
3.51% AER for new members’ first four months, 4.51% after a full switch
Accepts sole traders, unlike Capital on Tap savings
FSCS-protected up to £120,000 via ClearBank
£1 minimum deposit, monthly interest
Rate is plan-dependent: Free-plan users get only 1.75% AER
Standard rates trail the best dedicated savings accounts
Needs a Tide Business Account, unless you are a UK limited company using Open Access (20p per transfer)
The 4.51% headline is a four-month switch bonus, not the ongoing rate
Both Tide savings and Capital on Tap savings use ClearBank, so the combined FSCS limit is £120,000 total, not per account
Variable rate: no guaranteed minimum
Up to 3.51% AER standard (plan-dependent), 3.51% to 4.51% AER intro for the first four months
Instant access, no notice period
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (ClearBank)
Opens inside the Tide app, no separate application
Capital on Tap Business Savings Account
Capital on Tap Business Savings Account
Read the headline carefully: the ongoing rate is 3.48% AER (3.43% gross), and the eye-catching 4.07% AER is a 60-day welcome rate for genuinely new customers only.
Best for: Limited companies and LLPs already using the Capital on Tap card
Watch out: The 4.07% AER is a 60-day promo for new customers only, then the rate falls to 3.48% AER, so treat 3.48% as the number that matters over a year. Limited companies and LLPs only: sole traders are not eligible. Deposits sit behind ClearBank, so if you also hold Tide savings your combined FSCS protection is £120,000 total, not per account. The rate is variable with no guaranteed floor.
Not ideal if: you are a sole trader (you cannot open it), you don’t use the Capital on Tap card, you want the highest guaranteed ongoing rate rather than a promo that expires after 60 days, or you already hold other ClearBank-backed savings and would breach the shared FSCS limit.
Standard rate3.48% AER (3.43% gross) Variable, the ongoing rate after any promo ends
New-customer rate4.07% AER First 60 days only, new customers only, then reverts to 3.48% AER
Access typeInstant access No notice period, no withdrawal penalties
FSCS protection£120,000 (ClearBank) Shared with Tide savings if held, not per account
Minimum deposit£1
Maximum balanceNo stated limit No overall cap advertised; the 4.07% promo applies up to £1,000,000
Interest paidMonthly
Eligible entitiesLimited companies and LLPs only Sole traders are not eligible
Account feeNone
Direct transferYes Funds can be swept directly to your Capital on Tap credit card
Eligibility: Limited companies and LLPs operating in the UK only. Sole traders are not eligible, in Capital on Tap’s own words “you’ll need to be a Limited or LLP business operating in the UK”. Charities, trusts and PLCs are also excluded. You do not need an existing Capital on Tap card to open the account, but the 60-day 4.07% AER promo is reserved for customers who have never held a Capital on Tap product; existing card holders earn the 3.48% standard rate from day one. Minimum deposit is £1.
Not ideal if: you are a sole trader (you cannot open it), you don’t use the Capital on Tap card, you want the highest guaranteed ongoing rate rather than a promo that expires after 60 days, or you already hold other ClearBank-backed savings and would breach the shared FSCS limit.
Watch out: The 4.07% AER is a 60-day promo for new customers only, then the rate falls to 3.48% AER, so treat 3.48% as the number that matters over a year. Limited companies and LLPs only: sole traders are not eligible. Deposits sit behind ClearBank, so if you also hold Tide savings your combined FSCS protection is £120,000 total, not per account. The rate is variable with no guaranteed floor.
Direct sweep to your Capital on Tap credit card, a genuine differentiator for card users
3.48% AER standard rate is competitive for fee-free instant access
4.07% AER welcome rate for new customers in the first 60 days
FSCS-protected up to £120,000 via ClearBank
No fees, no withdrawal limits
£1 minimum deposit, monthly interest
Sole traders cannot open it, limited companies and LLPs only
The 4.07% headline is a 60-day promo, the ongoing rate is 3.48% AER
Shares the ClearBank FSCS limit with Tide Savings if you hold both
Variable rate with no guaranteed floor
Less distinctive if you don’t use a Capital on Tap card; the direct card transfer is a main advantage
3.48% AER standard, up to 4.07% AER for the first 60 days (new customers only)
Instant access, withdraw anytime, no penalty
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (ClearBank)
Limited companies and LLPs only, direct transfer to your Capital on Tap card
Allica Instant Access Business Savings Pot
Allica Instant Access Business Savings Pot
Allica Bank’s savings pot pays up to a 4.33% AER promotional maximum on instant access, and holds your deposit under Allica’s own banking licence, so FSCS protection is separate from any ClearBank-backed provider you may also use.
Best for: Established SMEs wanting FSCS-protected savings with a competitive rate
Watch out: Allica is for established, incorporated businesses; sole traders and firms under 12 months old are not eligible. The account needs a £50,000 minimum balance unless you have an Allica loan or overdraft. The standard rate is tiered by combined balance and is variable. The savings pot requires an Allica Business Rewards Account (£25/month fee below £10,000 average balance).
Not ideal if: you’re a sole trader, a business under 12 months old, cannot keep £50,000 in the account without an Allica loan, hold under £20,000 (the pot pays 0% below that), or you want a savings-only account without a linked current account.
Interest rateUp to 4.33% AER Variable. The standard rate is 3.08% AER at £40,000 and above, 2.08% from £20,000 and nothing below that; the activity, CASS and welcome boosts add 1.25 points between them. Allica’s rates correct as at 6 November 2026, read on its own page that day, after Allica republished them for the 4% base rate. Balance bands from the Savings Pot Key Product Information effective 6 November 2026, read the same day.
Access typeInstant access No notice period or withdrawal penalties
FSCS protection£120,000 (Allica Bank licence) Separate from the ClearBank pool, so it can stack with Tide or Capital on Tap savings
Minimum deposit£1 £50,000 within 14 days to earn the welcome boost, deposited before 31 January 2027
Maximum deposit£5,000,000
Interest paidMonthly
Account feeNone on savings pot Requires an Allica Business Rewards Account, which charges £25/month if its average balance is below £10,000 (waived with an active Allica loan or overdraft)
Account requiredAllica Business Rewards Account Current account included, no separate savings-only option
Eligibility: UK businesses that are incorporated for at least 12 months and registered with Companies House (limited companies and LLPs) with an active Allica Business Rewards Account, which needs a £50,000 minimum balance or an Allica loan or overdraft; standalone notice and fixed accounts require a business registered with Companies House. Sole traders are not eligible. Directors must be UK-resident. Savings Pot minimum £1, maximum £5,000,000.
Not ideal if: you’re a sole trader, a business under 12 months old, cannot keep £50,000 in the account without an Allica loan, hold under £20,000 (the pot pays 0% below that), or you want a savings-only account without a linked current account.
Watch out: Allica is for established, incorporated businesses; sole traders and firms under 12 months old are not eligible. The account needs a £50,000 minimum balance unless you have an Allica loan or overdraft. The standard rate is tiered by combined balance and is variable. The savings pot requires an Allica Business Rewards Account (£25/month fee below £10,000 average balance).
Up to 4.33% AER on instant access while all three boosts apply
FSCS protected up to £120,000 under Allica Bank’s own licence
FSCS protection is separate from ClearBank-backed accounts
Instant access, no notice period
No monthly fee on the savings pot
Current account included in the Allica Business Rewards Account
Requires an Allica Business Rewards Account, not savings-only
Built for established, incorporated businesses; sole traders and firms under 12 months old are not eligible
Rate is variable, 4.33% AER is the current maximum, not guaranteed
Less app-focused than Tide or Monzo
Up to 4.33% AER (variable) while all three boosts apply
Instant access savings pot
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (Allica Bank licence)
Included with Allica Business Rewards Account
Cambridge & Counties Business Savings
Cambridge & Counties Business Savings
Cambridge & Counties pays 4.60% AER on both its 1-Year and 2-Year Bond.
Best for: Businesses with a substantial cash reserve that want a high rate fixed for two years
Watch out: The £10,000 minimum on notice accounts and £20,000 on fixed bonds is higher than most accounts on this page, so it is not for smaller reserves. There is no easy access account, so your cash is committed to a notice period or a full term. Cambridge & Counties does not publish when interest is paid, and it does not list LLPs or partnerships among the business types it accepts.
Not ideal if: you have less than £10,000 to set aside (£20,000 for a bond), you need instant or easy access to your cash, you are an LLP or partnership and need eligibility confirmed, or you want certainty on how often interest is paid before you commit.
30-Day Notice3.70% AER variable Min £10,000, max £3,000,000
95-Day Notice4.00% AER variable Min £10,000, max £3,000,000
6-Month Bond4.25% AER fixed Min £20,000, max £5,000,000
1-Year Bond4.60% AER fixed Min £20,000, max £5,000,000; Shawbrook’s 4.81% and Aldermore’s 4.70% one-year rates pay more on this page
2-Year Bond4.60% AER fixed Min £20,000, max £5,000,000
3-Year Bond4.20% AER fixed Min £20,000, max £5,000,000
5-Year Bond4.20% AER fixed Min £20,000, max £5,000,000
FSCS protection£120,000 (Cambridge & Counties Bank licence, FRN 579415) FCA and PRA regulated, own licence
Minimum deposit£10,000 notice, £20,000 bonds Higher than most accounts on this page
Eligible entitiesAcademy schools, charities, credit unions, limited companies, sole traders LLPs and partnerships are not on the published list
Eligibility: Open to academy schools (single and multi-academy trusts), charities, credit unions, limited companies and sole traders. LLPs and partnerships are absent from that list, so treat them as outside it. Minimum deposit is £10,000 on notice accounts and £20,000 on fixed bonds. Maximum balances run from £3,000,000 to £5,000,000 depending on the product.
Not ideal if: you have less than £10,000 to set aside (£20,000 for a bond), you need instant or easy access to your cash, you are an LLP or partnership and need eligibility confirmed, or you want certainty on how often interest is paid before you commit.
Watch out: The £10,000 minimum on notice accounts and £20,000 on fixed bonds is higher than most accounts on this page, so it is not for smaller reserves. There is no easy access account, so your cash is committed to a notice period or a full term. Cambridge & Counties does not publish when interest is paid, and it does not list LLPs or partnerships among the business types it accepts.
4.60% AER on 1-Year and 2-Year Bonds, the highest two-year fixed rate on this page
95-Day Notice at 4.00% AER for planned liquidity
Accepts sole traders, academy schools, charities and credit unions
FSCS protected to £120,000 under Cambridge & Counties’ own licence
High maximum balances up to £5,000,000 on bonds
No account fees
£10,000 minimum on notice accounts and £20,000 on bonds, higher than most accounts on this page
No easy access account, cash is committed to notice or a fixed term
Interest payment frequency not confirmed
LLPs and partnerships not listed as eligible
Longer bonds (3 and 5 year) pay less than the 1 and 2 year at 4.20% AER
Up to 4.60% AER (1-Year and 2-Year Bond), the highest two-year fixed rate on this page
95-Day Notice: 4.00% AER
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (Cambridge & Counties Bank licence, FRN 579415)
£10,000 minimum (£20,000 for bonds); not for smaller cash reserves
United Trust Bank Business Savings
United Trust Bank Business Savings
United Trust Bank offers the widest product range of the new entries on this page, with fixed bonds paying up to 4.45% AER on an 18-month term, 4.42% AER on 15 months and 4.35% AER on one year.
Best for: Businesses that want the widest choice of notice and fixed terms
Watch out: The Easy Access Tracker’s quoted rate includes a 0.90% bonus for the first 12 months; afterwards it tracks 0.75 percentage points below the Bank of England base rate, so the ongoing rate depends on where the base rate sits at the time. The Limited Access account pays 4.15% AER only if you make two or fewer withdrawals a year; a third withdrawal drops you to 2.75% AER. Every account carries a £5,000 minimum. United Trust Bank does not name partnerships or LLPs among the business types it accepts.
Not ideal if: you want a single simple account rather than a range to weigh up, you have less than £5,000 to deposit, you want a fixed rate rather than one that moves with the Bank of England base rate, or you are a partnership or LLP, neither of which United Trust Bank names.
Easy Access Tracker3.90% AER (blended over 12 months), incl. 0.90% 12-month bonus Tracks 0.75 points below BoE base rate after 12 months, min £5,000, max £100,000
Easy Access Account3.50% AER variable Min £5,000, max £3,000,000
30-Day Notice3.70% AER variable Min £5,000, max £5,000,000
40-Day Notice3.90% AER variable Min £5,000, max £5,000,000
60-Day Notice4.00% AER variable Min £5,000, max £5,000,000
120-Day Notice Tracker3.75% AER variable BoE tracker, min £5,000, max £5,000,000
Limited Access4.15% AER (2 or fewer withdrawals a year) Drops to 2.75% AER on the 3rd withdrawal, min £5,000, max £150,000
Fixed bonds (3 months to 5 years)3.91% to 4.45% AER fixed 1-year 4.35%, 15-month 4.42%, highest at 18 months (4.45% AER), min £5,000, max £5,000,000
FSCS protection£120,000 (United Trust Bank licence) FCA and PRA regulated, own licence
Minimum deposit£5,000
Eligible entitiesLimited companies, sole traders, education providers, clubs, societies, credit unions, pension funds Partnerships and LLPs are not on the published list
Eligibility: Open to limited companies, sole traders, education providers, clubs, societies, credit unions and pension funds. Partnerships and LLPs are absent from that list, so treat them as outside it. Minimum deposit is £5,000 across the range. Maximum balances vary widely by account, from £100,000 on the Easy Access Tracker up to £5,000,000 on the notice and fixed-bond accounts.
Not ideal if: you want a single simple account rather than a range to weigh up, you have less than £5,000 to deposit, you want a fixed rate rather than one that moves with the Bank of England base rate, or you are a partnership or LLP, neither of which United Trust Bank names.
Watch out: The Easy Access Tracker’s quoted rate includes a 0.90% bonus for the first 12 months; afterwards it tracks 0.75 percentage points below the Bank of England base rate, so the ongoing rate depends on where the base rate sits at the time. The Limited Access account pays 4.15% AER only if you make two or fewer withdrawals a year; a third withdrawal drops you to 2.75% AER. Every account carries a £5,000 minimum. United Trust Bank does not name partnerships or LLPs among the business types it accepts.
Fixed bonds up to 4.45% AER (18 months), with 4.35% on 1 year and 4.42% on 15 months
Widest range of accounts: easy access, notice, tracker, limited access and bonds
Notice ladder up to 4.00% AER at 60 days
Accepts sole traders
FSCS protected to £120,000 under United Trust Bank’s own licence
No account fees
The Easy Access Tracker’s rate includes a 12-month bonus, then moves with the Bank of England base rate
The Limited Access rate collapses to 2.75% AER on a third withdrawal
£5,000 minimum deposit across the range
The broad range makes it the hardest of the three new banks to compare at a glance
Partnership and LLP eligibility not confirmed on the provider site
Up to 4.45% AER (18-Month Fixed Bond); 4.35% on 1 year, 4.42% on 15 months
Notice ladder from 3.70% AER (30-day) to 4.00% AER (60-day)
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (United Trust Bank licence)
£5,000 minimum; Easy Access Tracker rate includes a 12-month bonus then tracks the BoE base rate
Hampshire Trust Bank Business Savings
Hampshire Trust Bank Business Savings
Hampshire Trust Bank pays 4.36% AER on its 1-Year SME Fixed Saver and 4.46% AER on its 2-Year, and its 95-Day Notice SME Tracker pays 4.01% AER.
Best for: Established businesses with a five-figure cash reserve wanting a top fixed rate
Watch out: The £5,000 minimum deposit floor (£20,000 on the Easy Access SME Tracker) locks out businesses with smaller reserves. Sole traders are not on the eligible list, so a limited company, PLC, LLP, partnership, charity, club, society or association structure is needed. The tracker accounts move with the Bank of England base rate, so the headline rate can fall. Fixed Saver terms lock your cash for the full term.
Not ideal if: you are a sole trader (not listed as eligible), you have less than £5,000 to set aside, you want instant access to a large balance at the top rate, or you need an account integrated with your day-to-day business banking.
Easy Access SME Saver3.91% AER variable Min £5,000, max £750,000, instant access, interest paid annually
Easy Access SME Tracker3.40% AER variable BoE tracker, min £20,000, max £1,000,000, instant access
95-Day Notice SME Tracker4.01% AER variable BoE tracker, min £5,000, max £750,000, 95 days’ notice
6-Month SME Fixed Saver4.15% AER fixed Min £5,000, max £750,000
1-Year SME Fixed Saver4.36% AER fixed Min £5,000, max £750,000, interest paid annually
2-Year SME Fixed Saver4.46% AER fixed Min £5,000, max £750,000
5-Year SME Fixed Saver4.35% AER fixed Min £5,000, max £750,000
FSCS protection£120,000 (Hampshire Trust Bank licence, FRN 204601) Own licence, not shared with ClearBank-backed accounts
Minimum deposit£5,000 £20,000 on the Easy Access SME Tracker
Eligible entitiesLimited companies, PLCs, LLPs, partnerships, charities, clubs and societies Sole traders not listed as eligible
Eligibility: Open to UK limited companies, PLCs, LLPs, partnerships, registered charities, and clubs, societies and associations. Sole traders are not listed among the eligible entities, and Hampshire Trust publishes no ruling either way on them. Minimum deposit is £5,000 on most accounts and £20,000 on the Easy Access SME Tracker. Maximum balances run from £750,000 to £1,000,000 depending on the product.
Not ideal if: you are a sole trader (not listed as eligible), you have less than £5,000 to set aside, you want instant access to a large balance at the top rate, or you need an account integrated with your day-to-day business banking.
Watch out: The £5,000 minimum deposit floor (£20,000 on the Easy Access SME Tracker) locks out businesses with smaller reserves. Sole traders are not on the eligible list, so a limited company, PLC, LLP, partnership, charity, club, society or association structure is needed. The tracker accounts move with the Bank of England base rate, so the headline rate can fall. Fixed Saver terms lock your cash for the full term.
4.36% AER on the 1-Year and 4.46% AER on the 2-Year SME Fixed Saver
95-Day Notice SME Tracker at 4.01% AER for planned liquidity
Easy Access SME Saver at 3.91% AER, competitive for instant access
FSCS protected to £120,000 under Hampshire Trust Bank’s own licence
Broad range of terms from easy access to 5-year fixed
No account fees
£5,000 minimum deposit on most accounts, £20,000 on the Easy Access SME Tracker
Sole traders are not listed as eligible
Tracker rates move with the Bank of England base rate and can fall
Fixed Saver accounts lock cash for the full term
No integration with day-to-day business banking
Up to 4.46% AER (2-Year SME Fixed Saver); 4.36% AER on the 1-Year
Easy Access SME Saver: 3.91% AER; 95-Day Notice SME Tracker: 4.01% AER
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (Hampshire Trust Bank licence, FRN 204601)
£5,000 minimum deposit; not for sole traders or small cash buffers
Shawbrook Business Savings
Shawbrook Business Savings
Shawbrook covers easy access, notice and fixed terms: easy access pays 4.18% AER, notice accounts up to 3.51% AER, and a 1-year fixed bond 4.81% AER, the highest one-year fixed rate in our business savings comparison.
Best for: Businesses wanting a 4.18% AER easy-access rate or a 4.81% AER one-year fixed rate with separate FSCS protection
Watch out: Fixed-term accounts lock your cash away until the term ends. LLPs are excluded; only sole traders, limited companies and other partnership structures qualify. Easy access means next working day, not instant, and the rate falls to 0.05% if the balance drops below £1,000.
Not ideal if: you need to access funds within the fixed term, you have less than £1,000 to deposit, you are an LLP, or you want everything in one app alongside your current account.
Easy access rate4.18% AER
45-day notice rate3.45% AER
100-day notice rate3.51% AER
1-year fixed rate4.81% AER
2-year fixed rate4.70% AER
FSCS protection£120,000 (Shawbrook Bank licence) Separate from ClearBank-backed accounts
Maximum deposit£500,000 easy access / £2,000,000 fixed & notice
Account feeNone
Eligibility: Open to sole traders, limited companies limited by shares, and partnerships, excluding LLPs. Requires a UK business current account held in the same name, and UK-resident, UK-tax-resident directors and beneficial owners aged 18 or over. Not available to charities or trusts. Minimum deposit is £1,000 for easy access accounts and £5,000 for notice and fixed-term accounts. Maximum deposits: £500,000 for easy access, £2,000,000 for fixed and notice products.
Not ideal if: you need to access funds within the fixed term, you have less than £1,000 to deposit, you are an LLP, or you want everything in one app alongside your current account.
Watch out: Fixed-term accounts lock your cash away until the term ends. LLPs are excluded; only sole traders, limited companies and other partnership structures qualify. Easy access means next working day, not instant, and the rate falls to 0.05% if the balance drops below £1,000.
Up to 4.81% AER on 1-year fixed, the highest one-year fixed rate in our business savings comparison
Easy access pays 4.18% AER with no bonus or boost to earn
Full product range: easy access, notice, and fixed term in one place
FSCS protected up to £120,000 under Shawbrook’s own licence
No fees or standard charges
Online account opening available
£1,000 minimum deposit for easy access; £5,000 for notice and fixed
Fixed term accounts are illiquid, early access not guaranteed
LLPs and charities are excluded
Requires a UK business current account in the same name to open
Up to 4.81% AER (1-year fixed)
Easy access at 4.18% AER, notice from 3.45% AER
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (Shawbrook Bank licence)
No fees, easy access max £500,000, fixed max £2,000,000
Aldermore Business Savings
Aldermore Business Savings
Aldermore’s 1-year fixed rate pays 4.70% AER and its 95-day notice account 4.00% AER (Issue 3), in a bank-backed, FSCS-protected home for company cash.
Best for: Limited companies wanting competitive notice or fixed-term rates, or £500,000+ balances needing accessible cash (Tiered Easy Access)
Watch out: Eligibility is limited-company only, sole traders and partnerships are not listed as eligible. Standard easy access (2.45% AER) is below alternatives like Allica and Tide. Fixed and notice accounts are illiquid, early withdrawal is only at Aldermore’s discretion and carries an interest deduction (90 days on fixed, 95 days on the notice account).
Not ideal if: you are a sole trader or partnership (not eligible), you need instant access at a competitive rate below a £500,000 balance, or you want savings integrated with your business banking.
1-year fixed rate4.70% AER
95-day notice rate4.00% AER (Issue 3)
6-month fixed rate3.87% AER
Easy access rate2.45% AER (Issue 14) Below most easy-access rates we compared
Tiered easy access3.80% AER at £500,000+ (1.90% below) Issue 1, min £500,000
FSCS protection£120,000 (Aldermore Bank licence) Separate from ClearBank-backed accounts
Minimum deposit£1,000 (£500,000 for Tiered)
Eligible entitiesLimited companies Sole traders and partnerships not eligible
Account feeNone (standard services)
Eligibility: UK limited companies. Sole traders and partnerships are not listed as eligible on Aldermore’s current pages. Directors, controlling persons and significant owners must be UK-resident and UK tax-resident; US persons are excluded. A linked nominated business current account (held elsewhere at a PRA-authorised UK bank, not an e-money provider) is required to fund and withdraw. Minimum deposit £1,000 (£500,000 for Tiered Easy Access).
Not ideal if: you are a sole trader or partnership (not eligible), you need instant access at a competitive rate below a £500,000 balance, or you want savings integrated with your business banking.
Watch out: Eligibility is limited-company only, sole traders and partnerships are not listed as eligible. Standard easy access (2.45% AER) is below alternatives like Allica and Tide. Fixed and notice accounts are illiquid, early withdrawal is only at Aldermore’s discretion and carries an interest deduction (90 days on fixed, 95 days on the notice account).
1-year fixed at 4.70% AER and 95-day notice at 4.00% AER (Issue 3), from a bank with its own licence
New Tiered Easy Access pays 3.80% AER on balances of £500,000 or more
FSCS protected up to £120,000 under Aldermore’s own banking licence
No fees or charges for standard account services; exceptional, non-standard services may carry a charge.
Online account opening available
Standard easy access rate (2.45% AER) trails Shawbrook’s 4.18% and Hampshire Trust Bank’s 3.91%
Limited companies only, sole traders and partnerships excluded
US persons and non-UK tax residents excluded
Early withdrawal from fixed/notice accounts is discretionary and carries an interest deduction (90 days fixed / 95 days notice)
Best for: Businesses holding £50,000 or more that can give 30 to 125 days’ notice
Watch out: A notice balance below £50,000 earns 0% AER, not a reduced rate. Opening the business current account you need first requires turnover above £1m or £50,000 to deposit. The rate is a base-rate tracker, so it falls when the base rate falls, and OakNorth can also change the spread at its own discretion.
Not ideal if: you hold less than £50,000, your turnover is under £1m and you cannot deposit £50,000, you are a sole trader, or you need instant access to the money.
Interest below £50,0000.00% AER Notice accounts pay nothing at all until the balance reaches £50,000
125-day notice rate3.90% AER Bank of England base rate less 0.10 points, on £50,000 to £15,000,000
95-day notice rate3.85% AER Base rate less 0.15 points, on £50,000 to £15,000,000
30-day notice rate3.45% AER Base rate less 0.55 points, on £50,000 to £15,000,000
Easy access vaultRate not published The Earn vault opens with the business account, but OakNorth publishes no current rate for it
FSCS protection£120,000 (OakNorth Bank licence) Separate from ClearBank-backed accounts
Maximum balance£15,000,000 Per notice account
Interest paidMonthly, first business day Calculated daily on the end-of-day cleared balance
Eligible entitiesLimited company, PLC, LLP, overseas company An OakNorth business current account is required; sole traders are not on the eligible list
Account eligibilityTurnover above £1m, or £50,000 to deposit OakNorth’s stated bar for opening the business current account
Rate verification27 August 2026 Read from OakNorth’s own Business Notice Account summary box
Eligibility: You must hold an OakNorth business current account before you can open a notice account. OakNorth’s summary box limits notice accounts to active UK-registered limited companies, private unlimited companies, PLCs, LLPs and overseas companies; sole traders are not on that list. Opening the business current account requires turnover above £1m or £50,000 to deposit. No minimum or maximum applies to opening a notice account itself, but interest is only earned from £50,000 and the account caps at £15,000,000.
Not ideal if: you hold less than £50,000, your turnover is under £1m and you cannot deposit £50,000, you are a sole trader, or you need instant access to the money.
Watch out: A notice balance below £50,000 earns 0% AER, not a reduced rate. Opening the business current account you need first requires turnover above £1m or £50,000 to deposit. The rate is a base-rate tracker, so it falls when the base rate falls, and OakNorth can also change the spread at its own discretion.
Rate tracks the Bank of England base rate, so it moves with the base rate instead of lapsing
3.90% AER on 125-day notice, 3.85% on 95-day, at the 4% base rate
FSCS protected up to £120,000 under OakNorth’s own banking licence
Separate FSCS pool from ClearBank-backed accounts
No cap on withdrawals and no withdrawal fee, provided you give the notice
Notice balances under £50,000 earn 0% AER, not a reduced rate
Needs an OakNorth business current account first: turnover above £1m or £50,000 to deposit
Sole traders are not on OakNorth’s eligible list
OakNorth publishes no rate for the easy access Earn vault
The rate falls automatically when the Bank of England base rate falls
30, 95 and 125-day notice accounts tracking the base rate less 0.55, 0.15 and 0.10 points
0% AER below £50,000; £15,000,000 maximum balance
Interest calculated daily and paid monthly on the first business day
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (OakNorth Bank licence)
How Business Savings Accounts Work
Instant Access vs Notice vs Fixed-Term Accounts
Instant Access vs Notice vs Fixed-Term Accounts
Account Type
When You Can Withdraw
Typical Use
Main Risk
Easy access
Without serving notice, subject to transfer times and terms
Operating reserves and money that may be needed unexpectedly
The rate is variable and may be lower
Notice
After giving the stated notice, usually 30 to 120 days
Tax or planned spending with a known date
The cash cannot be reached quickly without a penalty or exception
Fixed term
At maturity, subject to the provider’s exceptional withdrawal rules
Cash the business can leave untouched for the full term
The money remains locked if circumstances change or rates rise
Verified 9 November 2026.
“Easy access” describes the absence of a notice period, not necessarily a same-day transfer. Shawbrook, for example, states that easy-access withdrawals settle on the next working day. Check this timing if the account will form part of your immediate cash reserve.
A notice account works best when the withdrawal date can be planned. The account holder must remember to give notice far enough ahead; the bank does not release the money simply because the tax or supplier payment has fallen due.
Fixed accounts remove uncertainty about the rate for the term, but also remove most of the flexibility. They are unsuitable for money that may be needed to cover trading volatility.
How Interest Is Calculated and Paid
Annual equivalent rate, or AER, shows the annual return after allowing for compounding. It is the best starting point when comparing two accounts with flat rates.
Gross rate is the contractual rate before compounding. AER can be slightly higher than the gross rate when interest is paid and compounded during the year. The two may be the same when interest is paid once a year or at maturity.
Promotional and conditional accounts need a separate calculation. AER does not tell you the return from a rate that lasts for only 60 days and then falls. For those accounts, calculate each rate over the period for which it applies.
FSCS Protection vs Safeguarding
Eligible bank deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per depositor, per authorised firm. The limit increased from £85,000 on 1 December 2025.
Protection follows the bank holding the deposit. A business with £70,000 in Tide and £60,000 in Capital on Tap has £130,000 with ClearBank. If all the deposits are eligible, £120,000 is within the standard limit and £10,000 is above it.
A money market fund works differently. Wise Interest is an FCA-regulated investment rather than a bank deposit. It does not receive FSCS deposit protection and its value can fall. For that reason, it is not included in the account comparison.
Business Savings Account Rates and Returns
AER, Gross Rate and Bonus Rates Explained
The highest advertised rate is not always the rate paid for a full year. Capital on Tap’s 4.07% AER promotion lasts for 60 days before reverting to 3.48% AER. Allica reaches 4.33% AER only while all three boosts are active.
We modelled the approximate first-year interest on £50,000 so these differences are visible. The figures use simple interest and are shown before tax. Capital on Tap’s calculation uses its gross rates because splitting an AER across parts of a year would apply the compounding assumption twice.
AER, Gross Rate and Bonus Rates Explained
Account and Assumption
Rate During the Year
Approximate First Year Interest
Simple First Year Return
Apply
Capital on Tap easy access
4.00% gross for 60 days, then 3.43% gross for 305 days
On these assumptions, Capital on Tap’s promotion produces about £328 less in the first year than Shawbrook’s flat easy-access rate. Allica’s boosts improve the return by about £406 against its base rate, but still leave it about £144 behind Shawbrook on £50,000. Oxbury’s bond earns the most, but only because the money is tied up for two years.
These are estimates, not quoted account returns. The actual interest will depend on the deposit date, compounding, changes to variable rates and whether the conditions for each boost are met.
Minimum and Maximum Deposit Limits
Minimum deposits range from £1 to £20,000 in the comparison. Tide and Capital on Tap accept £1. Aldermore and Shawbrook start at £1,000 for the accounts shown, while Hampshire Trust Bank and United Trust Bank require £5,000. Cambridge and Counties requires £10,000 for its notice account and £20,000 for its fixed bonds.
OakNorth uses a different restriction: balances below £50,000 earn no interest on the notice accounts shown. A business with £40,000 would therefore earn more in a lower-rate account that pays interest on the full balance.
Maximum balances and rate tiers also need checking. Tide’s 4.51% AER boosted rate applies only to the first £1m, and only for four months after a full current account switch. A headline rate attached to one balance tier or a short period is not a useful comparison on its own.
Eligibility for Business Savings Accounts
Business Types That Can Apply
Business Types That Can Apply
Provider
Sole Traders
Published Eligibility Summary
Apply
Tide
Yes, with the required Tide account
UK-registered sole traders and limited companies using a Tide Business Account or the relevant Open Access route
A provider that does not name your legal structure has not ruled it out. Absence from a public list is not proof of rejection, but it is enough to make the account an uncertain choice.
Residency and Account Restrictions
Most providers require a UK-registered business and UK-resident directors. Aldermore also requires directors to be UK tax-resident and excludes US citizens and non-UK tax residents.
Tide and Allica publish sector exclusions. Both exclude gambling and adult-industry businesses. Tide also names cannabidiol, charities, crowdfunding and virtual-currency businesses. Allica names extractive industries and businesses operating without the licences they require.
Some savings products depend on another account. A sole trader needs a Tide Business Account, while a limited company may be able to use Tide’s Open Access route with an external UK sterling current account in the company’s name. Allica’s savings pot requires a Business Rewards Account. Capital on Tap does not require its credit card or another existing account.
How to Compare Business Savings Accounts
Decide How Much Must Remain Available. Start with the lowest cash balance the business needs to trade safely. That amount belongs in an account with an access time the business can tolerate. Only the surplus above it should be considered for notice or fixed terms.
Match the Account to the Withdrawal Date. A notice account is useful only when someone will give notice on time. Record the notice date against the liability rather than relying on memory. If the payment date is uncertain, easy access is safer.
Calculate the Rate You Will Receive. Compare flat accounts on AER. For a promotion or a set of boosts, calculate each rate over the period for which it applies. The first-year result may rank the accounts differently from their advertised maximums.
Check the Balance Rules. Confirm the minimum opening deposit, the minimum balance that earns interest and any balance ceiling or tier. These are different restrictions and can each change the return.
Check the Underlying Banking Licence. Add together all deposits held with the same authorised bank before assessing FSCS cover. Different product brands can share one licence, as Tide and Capital on Tap do through ClearBank.
Check Eligibility and Linked Accounts. Confirm that the provider accepts the business’s legal structure, sector, residency position and trading history. Then check whether another current account or paid plan is required. A higher savings rate may not justify moving the main banking relationship.
How to Compare Business Savings Accounts
Provider
Bank Holding the Deposit
Standard FSCS Position for Eligible Deposits
Apply
Tide
ClearBank
£120,000 shared with other eligible ClearBank deposits
For a sole trader, personal and business deposits held in the same name with the same authorised bank share one FSCS limit. Limited companies are separate legal persons, subject to the FSCS eligibility rules.
Who Business Savings Accounts Are Best For
Cash You May Need at Short Notice. Keep this money in easy access. Shawbrook has the highest rate open to most businesses in the comparison at 4.18% AER from £1,000, although withdrawals arrive on the next working day rather than immediately. A private limited company with no more than three directors and major shareholders can get 4.15% AER from Kent Reliance instead. On £10,000 that gap is about £3 a year, so access and eligibility should decide between the two.
Tide and Capital on Tap are less competitive on their ongoing rates. They may still suit a business that already uses the same provider and values managing the savings beside its day-to-day account.
Cash Set Aside for a Known Date. A notice account can suit a VAT or corporation tax payment when the amount and due date are known. United Trust Bank pays 4.00% AER with 60 days’ notice. Marsden Building Society pays 4.15% AER with 95 days’ notice, for limited companies, LLPs and partnerships. On £50,000, the extra 0.15 percentage points is worth about £75 over a year, so the shorter notice period may still matter more if the payment date could move.
Rate alone does not settle it. The extra £75 is worth having only when the payment date is fixed, because a notice account will not release the money early if the bill arrives sooner than planned.
Cash the Business Can Leave for a Year. Shawbrook’s one-year fixed account pays 4.81% AER and requires £5,000. Cambridge and Counties pays 4.60% AER but requires £20,000. On a £50,000 balance, the difference between the two rates is about £105 over one year before tax. If the money can stay put for two years, Oxbury Bank’s bond pays 5.13% AER from £1,000.
Do not put an operating reserve into a fixed account. Early access is normally unavailable or subject to the provider’s exceptional withdrawal terms. The higher rate only has value when the business can leave the full deposit untouched.
Large Balances Above the FSCS Limit. For eligible deposits above £120,000, the underlying banking licence matters as much as the account rate. Splitting £240,000 between two banks with separate licences can keep the full amount within two FSCS limits. Splitting the same money between Tide and Capital on Tap does not achieve this because both use ClearBank.
When a Different Cash Management Option May Be Better
Wise Interest.Wise Interest is a money market fund rather than a deposit account. It can hold pounds, US dollars and euros and may suit a business that already manages money in several currencies. The return is not a bank interest rate, the capital is at risk and FSCS deposit protection does not apply.
Integrated Savings Pots. Businesses using Monzo Business or Starling can separate money into pots within the existing account. This can simplify tax and project budgeting, but the money remains under the same FSCS limit as the main balance and may earn less than a dedicated savings account.
Cash Deposit Platforms. Flagstone provides access to deposits from several banks through one platform. The available return depends on the selected partner bank and any margin or fee reflected in the rate. This can make it useful for spreading a large cash balance, but it is not one account with one rate.
Hampden Bank publishes indicative deposit rates by balance and term. Its deposits form part of a wider Hampden banking relationship rather than a standalone account that can be compared directly with the products above.
Flagstone Business Savings Platform
Flagstone Business Savings Platform
Flagstone is not a bank, it’s a platform that connects businesses to savings accounts from 50+ FCA-regulated banks via a single login.
Best for: Businesses with £100,000+ wanting to spread deposits across multiple FSCS-protected banks
Watch out: Flagstone keeps a share of the interest, so the rates on the platform are lower than the headline bank rates. The £100,000 minimum deposit excludes most small businesses. The platform adds a login layer between you and your deposits, and each partner bank has its own terms.
Not ideal if: you have less than £100,000 to deposit, you want to deal directly with a single bank, or you need an integrated account alongside your existing business banking.
Platform ratesUp to 4.99% AER On fixed-term accounts, net of Flagstone’s interest share
FSCS protection£120,000 per partner bank Spread deposits across multiple banks to protect beyond £120,000
Minimum deposit£100,000
Flagstone feeDeducted from interest Taken from the interest before rates are shown, so the rate on the platform is the rate you receive
Account typeSavings platform, not a bank Deposits held at partner institutions, not Flagstone directly
Number of accounts200+ options Across 50+ FCA-regulated banks
Eligibility: UK businesses, with a £100,000 minimum deposit that rules out most small and early-stage firms. Flagstone states no minimum turnover and no maximum deposit. Flagstone is a platform rather than a bank, so the account you open belongs to one of its partner institutions and that bank sets its own criteria. Anti-money-laundering checks are done once, when you first join; after that you can open any account on the platform without a further check.
Not ideal if: you have less than £100,000 to deposit, you want to deal directly with a single bank, or you need an integrated account alongside your existing business banking.
Watch out: Flagstone keeps a share of the interest, so the rates on the platform are lower than the headline bank rates. The £100,000 minimum deposit excludes most small businesses. The platform adds a login layer between you and your deposits, and each partner bank has its own terms.
Spread deposits across 50+ banks, FSCS protection beyond £120,000 per institution
200+ savings accounts from one login
Rates up to 4.99% AER available on fixed terms
Easy access, notice and fixed options all available
Anti-money-laundering checks are done once, not per account
£100,000 minimum deposit, which excludes most SMEs
Flagstone takes a share of the interest and does not publish the percentage
Not a bank, so you are placing deposits with partner institutions rather than with Flagstone
More complex than opening an account directly with a bank
Savings platform, not a bank
200+ accounts from 50+ FCA-regulated partner banks
FSCS spread across multiple institutions (per-bank limit applies)
£100,000 minimum deposit, no maximum
Hampden Bank Business Deposit Accounts
Hampden Bank Business Deposit Accounts
Hampden Bank publishes indicative rates across its call, notice and fixed-term deposits, but every route sits inside a wider Hampden banking relationship.
Best for: Businesses willing to hold a Hampden Bank current account and setting aside at least £50,000 in a notice or fixed-term deposit
Watch out: Hampden Bank’s published rates are indicative and can change. Its call account has no minimum opening balance, but notice and fixed-term deposits require at least £50,000. You also need a Hampden Bank current account or call deposit account, depending on the product, so none is a standalone savings route.
Not ideal if: you want a standalone savings account, have less than £50,000 for a notice or fixed-term deposit, or need one advertised rate that does not vary by balance and term.
Account typesCall (instant), 95-Day Notice, Fixed Term Fixed terms from 1 month to 5 years
Interest rates0.75% to 3.30% AER (Call and Notice) Indicative, published 11 September 2026; fixed terms 2.82% to 4.25%; no published rate beyond 12 months
FSCS protection£120,000 (Hampden Bank licence) Separate from ClearBank, Allica, Shawbrook, and other providers
Minimum depositNone (Call), £50,000 (Notice and Term)
Interest paidMonthly (Call & Notice) / At maturity (Fixed Term)
Account feeNo charge on the Call Account
Account typePrivate banking Requires Hampden Bank current account; relationship-led, no self-service app
Eligibility: The call deposit account has no minimum opening balance and requires a Hampden Bank current account in the same currency. Notice deposits require at least £50,000 and a sterling Hampden Bank current account. Fixed-term deposits also require at least £50,000, plus a Hampden Bank current account or call deposit account in the same currency.
Not ideal if: you want a standalone savings account, have less than £50,000 for a notice or fixed-term deposit, or need one advertised rate that does not vary by balance and term.
Watch out: Hampden Bank’s published rates are indicative and can change. Its call account has no minimum opening balance, but notice and fixed-term deposits require at least £50,000. You also need a Hampden Bank current account or call deposit account, depending on the product, so none is a standalone savings route.
FSCS protected up to £120,000 under Hampden Bank’s own licence
Three account types: instant access (Call), 95-day notice, and fixed term (1 month to 5 years)
Relationship-led private banking, bespoke deposit terms available
Separate FSCS licence from ClearBank and Allica, useful for FSCS stacking
Dedicated private banking relationship manager
FSCS protection up to £120,000
No automated call centres
Institutional banking stability
Tailored bespoke deposit structuring
£50,000 minimum on the 95-Day Notice and Term accounts
Call Account pays 0.75% AER on balances up to £249,999
Published rates are indicative, and there is no published rate for terms beyond 12 months
Hampden Bank current account required to open a deposit account
Not a self-service or app-based product, private banking model
Private bank deposit accounts, not mass market
Call Account (instant), 95-Day Notice, Term Account (1 month to 5 years)
FSCS protected up to £120,000 (Hampden Bank own licence)
No minimum on the Call Account; £50,000 on Notice and Term
Hampden Bank current account required
Instant Access Call accounts
95-Day Notice accounts
Fixed-term deposits (1 month to 5 years)
Multi-currency holding support
Available for complex business entities
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Business Savings Account Pays the Highest Rate?
Oxbury Bank’s Business 2 Year Bond pays the highest AER in this comparison at 5.13%, from £1,000, with the money locked for two years. For one year, Shawbrook pays 4.81% AER from £5,000. The highest easy-access rate open to most businesses is Shawbrook’s 4.18% AER. Rates were checked on the dates stated above and may have changed since.
Are Business Savings Accounts Protected by the FSCS?
Eligible deposits are normally protected up to £120,000 per depositor, per authorised bank. Check the bank behind the product because two brands may share one licence. Tide and Capital on Tap both use ClearBank, so eligible deposits across the two count towards the same limit. Kent Reliance is a trading name of OneSavings Bank plc, so its cover follows that bank.
Can a Sole Trader Open a Business Savings Account?
Yes, but provider eligibility varies. Tide, Shawbrook, United Trust Bank, Cambridge and Counties and Oxbury Bank accept sole traders under their published criteria. Capital on Tap, Aldermore, Kent Reliance and Marsden Building Society do not.
Can a Business Withdraw Money from an Easy Access Account Immediately?
Not always. Easy access means that no notice period applies, but transfer times still vary. Shawbrook states that withdrawals settle on the next working day. Check the timing before treating an account as a source of same-day cash.
Can a Business Have More Than One Savings Account?
Yes. Using more than one account can separate operating cash from money set aside for tax or longer-term needs. For FSCS purposes, check whether the accounts are held with different authorised banks rather than assuming each brand has a separate limit.
Is a Money Market Fund the Same as a Business Savings Account?
No. A money market fund is an investment. Its value can fall and it does not receive FSCS deposit protection. It should not be treated as a direct substitute for cash that the business cannot afford to lose.
How We Reviewed Business Savings Account Providers
We compared more than 40 easy-access, notice and fixed-term accounts from 17 providers. Each rate, notice period, minimum balance and published eligibility rule was checked against the provider’s own product information. We used the FCA register to identify the authorised bank behind each deposit and did not rely on rates copied from other comparison sites.
The ranking gives most weight to the rate a business can realistically receive, access to the money, FSCS protection, eligibility and any linked-account or balance condition. A temporary or conditional rate is assessed over the period for which it applies rather than treated as a full-year return.
The main check was completed on 5 October 2026. Shawbrook, Tide and six banks added in November 2026 (Kent Reliance, Cynergy Bank, Marsden Building Society, Redwood Bank, Union Bank of India (UK) and Oxbury Bank) were checked on 9 November 2026. Hampshire Trust Bank’s rates date from 14 September, and its business savings accounts were closed to new applications on 7 October 2026. OakNorth’s notice accounts were checked on 5 November 2026. We recheck the page at least monthly and when a provider changes its rates, eligibility or terms.
Suggested attribution: BusinessExpert, Best Business Savings Accounts UK 2026. More than 40 accounts across 17 providers; provider pages and FCA register checked July to November 2026.
Tide Instant Saver Account
Capital on Tap Business Savings Account
Allica Instant Access Business Savings Pot
Cambridge & Counties Business Savings
Shawbrook Business Savings
