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HSBC VS Ulster Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is HSBC or Ulster Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both HSBC and Ulster 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


Ulster Bank Homepage
Ulster Bank Homepage
 

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Trustpilot Reviews

HSBCUlster Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.51.5
Percent 5-Star Reviews7%8%
Percent 1- Star Reviews88%86%
Total Number of Reviews8,399114
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.hsbc.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk

HSBC vs Ulster Bank App Reviews

HSBCUlster Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews1,400,00015,700
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.84.1
Number of Android Reviews260,00015,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/hsbc-uk-mobile-banking/id1220329065
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Account Fees & Charges

HSBCUlster Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length12 Months24 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£6.50£8
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£10£12
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)35p43p
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)£1.5070p per £100
Cheques (in/out)50p per cheque40p
CHAPS Payments Cost£17£18.75
SEPA Payments Cost20p€0.51

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Business Savings Rates

HSBCUlster Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsBusiness Money Manager, Business Money Market, Clients DepositInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.10%1.46%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)2.02%1.92%
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Account Opening Times

HSBCUlster Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
7 to 10 Working days24 working hours
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Features & Account Types

HSBC Account Types
HSBC Features & Account Types


Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


HSBCUlster Bank
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-wideNorthern Ireland Only

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Customer Support Options

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

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

HSBCUlster 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)
  • Swiss franc
  • Japanese yen
  • Australian dollar
  • Canadian dollar
  • New Zealand dollar
  • Swedish krona

Other Business Services From HSBC and Ulster Bank

HSBC Account Types
Other HSBC Services


Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


HSBCUlster Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesYesNo
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesYes
Free Accounting SoftwareNoYes

HSBC vs Ulster Bank Banking Basics

HSBCUlster Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number765112NA
WebsiteHSBC WebsiteUlster Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does HSBC or Ulster 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, Ulster Bank scores 1.5 out of 5 based 114 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 8% are 5-star and 86% are 1-star.

Does HSBC or Ulster 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, Ulster Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 15,700 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.1 out of 5 based on 15,000 reviews.

Does HSBC or Ulster 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, Ulster Bank offers Instant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.46% to 1.92% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
HSBC vs Kent Reliance
HSBC vs Cynergy Bank
HSBC vs Zempler Bank (formerly Cashplus)
HSBC vs Co-operative Bank
HSBC vs Aldermore


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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