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Santander VS Cater Allen: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Santander or Cater Allen better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Santander 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.

Santander Homepage
Santander Homepage


Cater Allen Homepage
Cater Allen Homepage
 

Santander vs Cater Allen Trustpilot Reviews

SantanderCater Allen
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.41.9
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%7%
Percent 1- Star Reviews85%80%
Total Number of Reviews6,868136
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.caterallen.co.uk

Santander vs Cater Allen App Reviews

SantanderCater Allen
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.8No Rating
Number of iPhone Reviews1,100,000No Reviews
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.4No Rating
Number of Android Reviews54,300No Reviews
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/santander-mobile-banking/id482973524
https://www.apple.com/uk/app-store/

Santander vs Cater Allen Account Fees & Charges

SantanderCater Allen
Free Business Bank AccountYesNo
Free Business Account Term Length18 MonthsNA
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFreeFree
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£7.50£25
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)Free£2
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £100Free
Cheques (in/out)Unknown£6
CHAPS Payments Cost£25£25
SEPA Payments CostNo£2

Santander vs Cater Allen Business Savings Rates

SantanderCater Allen
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings AccountFixed Term, Notice Account
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.40%3.00%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)3.60%4.70%
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Santander vs Cater Allen Account Opening Times

SantanderCater Allen
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Few minutes7 days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

Santander vs Cater Allen Features & Account Types

Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


Cater Allen Account Types
Cater Allen Features & Account Types


SantanderCater 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 TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsUK-wideNone, online and phone only

Santander vs Cater Allen Customer Support Options

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

Santander vs Cater Allen Foreign Currency Accounts

SantanderCater Allen
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)
  • Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD)
  • Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
  • CHF (Swiss Franc)
  • CAD (Canadian Dollar)
  • AUD (Australian Dollar)
  • NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
  • SGD (Singapore Dollar)
  • HKD (Hong Kong Dollar)

Other Business Services From Santander and Cater Allen

Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


Cater Allen Account Types
Other Cater Allen Services


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

Santander vs Cater Allen Banking Basics

SantanderCater Allen
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106054178737
WebsiteSantander WebsiteCater Allen Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Santander or Cater Allen have better customer reviews?

Santander scores 1.4 out of 5 based 6,868 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 8% are 5-star and 85% 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 Santander or Cater Allen have a better App?

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.

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 Santander or Cater Allen have better business savings rates?

Santander offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings Account with interest rates ranging from 0.40% to 3.60%. (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:
Santander vs AIB (Allied Irish Bank)
Santander vs Unity Trust
Santander vs United Trust Bank
Santander vs HSBC Kinetic
Santander vs CardOneMoney


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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