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HSBC VS Recognise Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is HSBC or Recognise Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both HSBC and Recognise Bank 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


Recognise Bank Homepage
Recognise Bank Homepage
 

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Trustpilot Reviews

HSBCRecognise Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.54.6
Percent 5-Star Reviews7%77%
Percent 1- Star Reviews88%5%
Total Number of Reviews8,399539
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.hsbc.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/recognisebank.co.uk

HSBC vs Recognise Bank App Reviews

HSBCRecognise Bank
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 Recognise Bank Account Fees & Charges

HSBCRecognise Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length12 MonthsNo Limit
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£6.50No
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£10No
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)35pFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)£1.50Free
Cheques (in/out)50p per chequeFree
CHAPS Payments Cost£17£15
SEPA Payments Cost20p25p

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Business Savings Rates

HSBCRecognise Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsBusiness Money Manager, Business Money Market, Clients DepositNotice account, Fixed Rate, Instant access
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.10%3.15%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)2.02%4.50%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£1,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Account Opening Times

HSBCRecognise Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
7 to 10 Working daysFew minutes
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Features & Account Types

HSBC Account Types
HSBC Features & Account Types


Recognise Bank Account Types
Recognise Bank Features & Account Types


HSBCRecognise Bank
Business Current AccountYesNo
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesNo
Business OverdraftYesNo
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesNo
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeVisaNone
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesNo
In Person/Branch BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsUK-wideNone, online and phone only

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Customer Support Options

HSBCRecognise Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesNo
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesNo

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

HSBCRecognise Bank
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)
  • AUD (Australian Dollar)
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)
  • JPY (Japanese Yen)
  • NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
  • SGD (Singapore Dollar)
  • HKD (Hong Kong Dollar)

Other Business Services From HSBC and Recognise Bank

HSBC Account Types
Other HSBC Services


Recognise Bank Account Types
Other Recognise Bank Services


HSBCRecognise Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingYesNo
International PaymentsYesNo
Merchant Payment ServicesYesNo
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareNoNo

HSBC vs Recognise Bank Banking Basics

HSBCRecognise Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number765112849404
WebsiteHSBC WebsiteRecognise Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does HSBC or Recognise Bank 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, Recognise Bank scores 4.6 out of 5 based 539 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 77% are 5-star and 5% are 1-star.

Does HSBC or Recognise Bank 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, Recognise Bank’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 Recognise Bank 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, Recognise Bank offers Notice account, Fixed Rate, Instant access accounts with interest rates ranging from 3.15% to 4.50% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
HSBC vs Dudley Building Society
HSBC vs MyPOS
HSBC vs Ampere
Santander vs Nationwide
Santander vs Lloyds Bank


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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