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HSBC VS Santander: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is HSBC or Santander better for your small business?



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Below we look at both HSBC and Santander 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


Santander Homepage
Santander Homepage
 

HSBC vs Santander Trustpilot Reviews

HSBCSantander
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.51.4
Percent 5-Star Reviews7%8%
Percent 1- Star Reviews88%85%
Total Number of Reviews8,3996,868
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.hsbc.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk

HSBC vs Santander App Reviews

HSBCSantander
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews1,400,0001,100,000
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.84.4
Number of Android Reviews260,00054,300
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/hsbc-uk-mobile-banking/id1220329065
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/santander-mobile-banking/id482973524

HSBC vs Santander Account Fees & Charges

HSBCSantander
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length12 Months18 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£6.50Free
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£10£7.50
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)35pFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)£1.5070p per £100
Cheques (in/out)50p per chequeUnknown
CHAPS Payments Cost£17£25
SEPA Payments Cost20pNo

HSBC vs Santander Business Savings Rates

HSBCSantander
Types of Business Savings AccountsBusiness Money Manager, Business Money Market, Clients DepositInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings Account
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.10%0.40%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)2.02%3.60%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£1
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

HSBC vs Santander Account Opening Times

HSBCSantander
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 ServiceYesYes

HSBC vs Santander Features & Account Types

HSBC Account Types
HSBC Features & Account Types


Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


HSBCSantander
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesYes
Business OverdraftYesYes
Accounts For StartupsYesYes
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeVisaMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsUK-wideUK-wide

HSBC vs Santander Customer Support Options

HSBCSantander
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesYes

HSBC vs Santander Foreign Currency Accounts

HSBCSantander
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)
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)
  • Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD)
  • Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

Other Business Services From HSBC and Santander

HSBC Account Types
Other HSBC Services


Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


HSBCSantander
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesYes
Free Accounting SoftwareNoYes

HSBC vs Santander Banking Basics

HSBCSantander
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number765112106054
WebsiteHSBC WebsiteSantander Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does HSBC or Santander 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, Santander scores 1.4 out of 5 based 6,868 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 8% are 5-star and 85% are 1-star.

Does HSBC or Santander 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, Santander’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 1,100,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 54,300 reviews.

Does HSBC or Santander 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, Santander offers Instant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings Account accounts with interest rates ranging from 0.40% to 3.60% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
HSBC vs Nationwide
HSBC vs Lloyds Bank
HSBC vs Tide
HSBC vs Virgin Money
HSBC vs Monzo


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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