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Santander VS Recognise Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Santander or Recognise Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Santander 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.

Santander Homepage
Santander Homepage


Recognise Bank Homepage
Recognise Bank Homepage
 

Santander vs Recognise Bank Trustpilot Reviews

SantanderRecognise Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.44.6
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%77%
Percent 1- Star Reviews85%5%
Total Number of Reviews6,868539
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/recognisebank.co.uk

Santander vs Recognise Bank App Reviews

SantanderRecognise Bank
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 Recognise Bank Account Fees & Charges

SantanderRecognise Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length18 MonthsNo Limit
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFreeNo
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£7.50No
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)FreeFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £100Free
Cheques (in/out)UnknownFree
CHAPS Payments Cost£25£15
SEPA Payments CostNo25p

Santander vs Recognise Bank Business Savings Rates

SantanderRecognise Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings AccountNotice account, Fixed Rate, Instant access
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.40%3.15%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)3.60%4.50%
Minimum Savings Amount£1£1,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Santander vs Recognise Bank Account Opening Times

SantanderRecognise Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Few minutesFew minutes
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

Santander vs Recognise Bank Features & Account Types

Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


Recognise Bank Account Types
Recognise Bank Features & Account Types


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

Santander vs Recognise Bank Customer Support Options

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

Santander vs Recognise Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

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

Other Business Services From Santander and Recognise Bank

Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


Recognise Bank Account Types
Other Recognise Bank Services


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

Santander vs Recognise Bank Banking Basics

SantanderRecognise Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106054849404
WebsiteSantander WebsiteRecognise Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

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

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

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


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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