Merchant Machine

Santander VS Ulster Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Santander or Ulster Bank better for your small business?



Compare UK Business Bank Accounts

Powered By BusinessBankAccounts.co.uk



Below we look at both Santander 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.

Santander Homepage
Santander Homepage


Ulster Bank Homepage
Ulster Bank Homepage
 

Santander vs Ulster Bank Trustpilot Reviews

SantanderUlster Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.41.5
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%8%
Percent 1- Star Reviews85%86%
Total Number of Reviews6,868114
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.santander.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk

Santander vs Ulster Bank App Reviews

SantanderUlster Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews1,100,00015,700
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.44.1
Number of Android Reviews54,30015,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/santander-mobile-banking/id482973524
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324

Santander vs Ulster Bank Account Fees & Charges

SantanderUlster Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length18 Months24 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account FeeFree£8
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£7.50£12
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)Free43p
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £10070p per £100
Cheques (in/out)Unknown40p
CHAPS Payments Cost£25£18.75
SEPA Payments CostNo€0.51

Santander vs Ulster Bank Business Savings Rates

SantanderUlster Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access, Business Reward Saver, Fixed Rate Business Bond, Treasurer’s Savings AccountInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)0.40%1.46%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)3.60%1.92%
Minimum Savings Amount£1No
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Santander vs Ulster Bank Account Opening Times

SantanderUlster Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
Few minutes24 working hours
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Santander vs Ulster Bank Features & Account Types

Santander Account Types
Santander Features & Account Types


Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


SantanderUlster 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 TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsUK-wideNorthern Ireland Only

Santander vs Ulster Bank Customer Support Options

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

Santander vs Ulster Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

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

Other Business Services From Santander and Ulster Bank

Santander Account Types
Other Santander Services


Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


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

Santander vs Ulster Bank Banking Basics

SantanderUlster Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA Number106054NA
WebsiteSantander WebsiteUlster Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

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

Does Santander or Ulster 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, 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 Santander or Ulster 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, 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:
Santander vs Kent Reliance
Santander vs Cynergy Bank
Santander vs Zempler Bank (formerly Cashplus)
Santander vs Co-operative Bank
Santander vs Aldermore


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