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HSBC VS Cater Allen: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


By: Ian Wright | Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Is HSBC or Cater Allen better for your small business?



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Below we look at both HSBC and Cater Allen reviews on Trustpilot along with their App reviews from Apple and Google.

We then look at typical fees, business savings rates, foreign currency options and a whole bunch of other account features to help you make up your mind.

HSBC Homepage
HSBC Homepage


Cater Allen Homepage
Cater Allen Homepage
 

HSBC vs Cater Allen Trustpilot Reviews

HSBCCater Allen
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.51.9
Percent 5-Star Reviews7%7%
Percent 1- Star Reviews88%80%
Total Number of Reviews8,399136
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.hsbc.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.caterallen.co.uk

HSBC vs Cater Allen App Reviews

HSBCCater Allen
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.8No Rating
Number of iPhone Reviews1,400,000No Reviews
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.8No Rating
Number of Android Reviews260,000No Reviews
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/hsbc-uk-mobile-banking/id1220329065
https://www.apple.com/uk/app-store/

HSBC vs Cater Allen Account Fees & Charges

HSBCCater Allen
Free Business Bank AccountYesNo
Free Business Account Term Length12 MonthsNA
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£6.50Free
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£10£25
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)35p£2
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)£1.50Free
Cheques (in/out)50p per cheque£6
CHAPS Payments Cost£17£25
SEPA Payments Cost20p£2

HSBC vs Cater Allen Business Savings Rates

HSBCCater Allen
Types of Business Savings AccountsBusiness Money Manager, Business Money Market, Clients DepositFixed Term, Notice Account
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.10%3.00%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)2.02%4.70%
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

HSBC vs Cater Allen Account Opening Times

HSBCCater Allen
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
7 to 10 Working days7 days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

HSBC vs Cater Allen Features & Account Types

HSBC Account Types
HSBC Features & Account Types


Cater Allen Account Types
Cater Allen Features & Account Types


HSBCCater Allen
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesNo
Business OverdraftYesNo
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeVisaMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsUK-wideNone, online and phone only

HSBC vs Cater Allen Customer Support Options

HSBCCater Allen
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesNo
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesNo

HSBC vs Cater Allen Foreign Currency Accounts

HSBCCater Allen
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • Australian dollar (AUD)
  • Bahraini dinar (BHD)
  • Brunei dollar (BND)
  • Canadian dollar (CAD)
  • Chinese yuan (CNY)
  • Czech koruna (CZK)
  • Danish krone (DKK)
  • Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
  • Hungarian forint (HUF)
  • Indian rupee (INR)
  • Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
  • Israeli shekel (ILS)
  • Japanese yen (JPY)
  • Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
  • Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
  • New Zealand dollar (NZD)
  • Norwegian krone (NOK)
  • Omani rial (OMR)
  • Polish zloty (PLN)
  • Qatari riyal (QAR)
  • Saudi riyal (SAR)
  • Singapore dollar (SGD)
  • South African rand (ZAR)
  • South Korean won (KRW)
  • Swiss franc (CHF)
  • Swedish krona (SEK)
  • Thai baht (THB)
  • United Arab Emirates dirham (AED)
  • CHF (Swiss Franc)
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)
  • AUD (Australian Dollar)
  • NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
  • SGD (Singapore Dollar)
  • HKD (Hong Kong Dollar)

Other Business Services From HSBC and Cater Allen

HSBC Account Types
Other HSBC Services


Cater Allen Account Types
Other Cater Allen Services


HSBCCater Allen
Business LoansYesNo
Commercial MortgagesYesNo
Invoice FinancingYesNo
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesNo
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareNoNo

HSBC vs Cater Allen Banking Basics

HSBCCater Allen
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number765112178737
WebsiteHSBC WebsiteCater Allen Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does HSBC or Cater Allen have better customer reviews?

HSBC scores 1.5 out of 5 based 8,399 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 7% are 5-star and 88% are 1-star.

Whereas, Cater Allen scores 1.9 out of 5 based 136 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 7% are 5-star and 80% are 1-star.

Does HSBC or Cater Allen have a better App?

HSBC’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 1,400,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 260,000 reviews.

In comparison, Cater Allen’s iPhone App is rated No Rating out of 5 based on No Reviews reviews. And it’s Android App is rated No Rating out of 5 based on No Reviews reviews.

Does HSBC or Cater Allen have better business savings rates?

HSBC offers the following types of business savings accounts: Business Money Manager, Business Money Market, Clients Deposit with interest rates ranging from 0.10% to 2.02%. (AER)

In contrast, Cater Allen offers Fixed Term, Notice Account accounts with interest rates ranging from 3.00% to 4.70% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
HSBC vs AIB (Allied Irish Bank)
HSBC vs Unity Trust
HSBC vs United Trust Bank
HSBC vs HSBC Kinetic
HSBC vs CardOneMoney


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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We do not provide merchant services nor can we recommend which solution is right for you and your business.
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