Merchant Machine

Nationwide VS Saffron Building Society: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Nationwide or Saffron Building Society better for your small business?



Compare UK Business Bank Accounts

Powered By BusinessBankAccounts.co.uk



Below we look at both Nationwide and Saffron Building Society 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.

Nationwide Homepage
Nationwide Homepage


Saffron Building Society Homepage
Saffron Building Society Homepage
 

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Trustpilot Reviews

NationwideSaffron Building Society
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.72.2
Percent 5-Star Reviews15%21%
Percent 1- Star Reviews75%73%
Total Number of Reviews5,50958
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.nationwide.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/saffronbs.co.uk

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society App Reviews

NationwideSaffron Building Society
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.83.7
Number of iPhone Reviews595,00024
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.53.7
Number of Android Reviews106,00014
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nationwide-mobile-banking/id542355130
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/saffron-building-society/id1482290341

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Account Fees & Charges

NationwideSaffron Building Society
Free Business Bank AccountNoNo
Free Business Account Term LengthNANA
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£6.50£10
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£30£10
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)1%Free
Cheques (in/out)£1.50£1.50
CHAPS Payments Cost£15£15
SEPA Payments CostNo25p

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Business Savings Rates

NationwideSaffron Building Society
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Limited access, Fixed rateRegular Savings, Easy access, Fixed rate bonds, Notice accounts, Business/corporate accounts
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)2.25%1.20%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)6.50%5.75%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£1
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesNo
 

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Account Opening Times

NationwideSaffron Building Society
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
7 Working daysUndisclosed
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Features & Account Types

Nationwide Account Types
Nationwide Features & Account Types


Saffron Building Society Account Types
Saffron Building Society Features & Account Types


NationwideSaffron Building Society
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesYes
Business OverdraftYesNo
Accounts For StartupsYesNo
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeVisaMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsUK-wideLocations in Essex only

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Customer Support Options

NationwideSaffron Building Society
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesYes

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Foreign Currency Accounts

NationwideSaffron Building Society
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesNo
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesNo
Other Currencies Available:
  • Canadian Dollar
  • Australian Dollar
No

Other Business Services From Nationwide and Saffron Building Society

Nationwide Account Types
Other Nationwide Services


Saffron Building Society Account Types
Other Saffron Building Society Services


NationwideSaffron Building Society
Business LoansNoYes
Commercial MortgagesYesYes
Invoice FinancingNoNo
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesNoNo
Card MachinesNoNo
Free Accounting SoftwareNoNo

Nationwide vs Saffron Building Society Banking Basics

NationwideSaffron Building Society
Bank TypeBuilding SocietyBuilding Society
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106078100015
WebsiteNationwide WebsiteSaffron Building Society Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Nationwide or Saffron Building Society have better customer reviews?

Nationwide scores 1.7 out of 5 based 5,509 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 15% are 5-star and 75% are 1-star.

Whereas, Saffron Building Society scores 2.2 out of 5 based 58 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 21% are 5-star and 73% are 1-star.

Does Nationwide or Saffron Building Society have a better App?

Nationwide’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 595,000 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 106,000 reviews.

In comparison, Saffron Building Society’s iPhone App is rated 3.7 out of 5 based on 24 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 3.7 out of 5 based on 14 reviews.

Does Nationwide or Saffron Building Society have better business savings rates?

Nationwide offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access, Limited access, Fixed rate with interest rates ranging from 2.25% to 6.50%. (AER)

In contrast, Saffron Building Society offers Regular Savings, Easy access, Fixed rate bonds, Notice accounts, Business/corporate accounts accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.20% to 5.75% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Nationwide vs OakNorth
Nationwide vs Airwallex
Nationwide vs Triodos Bank
Nationwide vs Soldo
Nationwide vs Cambridge Building Society


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



Please note: Merchant Machine is an information and comparison website only.
We do not provide merchant services nor can we recommend which solution is right for you and your business.
Blog · About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Brilliant British Ltd trading as Merchant Machine

Registered Office Address:
3rd Floor Great Titchfield House, 14-18 Great Titchfield Street, London, United Kingdom, W1W 8BD
Company number 10490224