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Ulster Bank VS Co-operative Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Ulster Bank or Co-operative Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Ulster Bank and Co-operative 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.

Ulster Bank Homepage
Ulster Bank Homepage


Co-operative Bank Homepage
Co-operative Bank Homepage
 

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Trustpilot Reviews

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.54.2
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%51%
Percent 1- Star Reviews86%39%
Total Number of Reviews1147,699
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/co-operativebank.co.uk

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank App Reviews

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.7
Number of iPhone Reviews15,70047,800
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.14.3
Number of Android Reviews15,00033,000
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/co-operative-bank/id1439204021

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Account Fees & Charges

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesYes
Free Business Account Term Length24 Months30 Months
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£8Free
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£12Free
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)43pFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £100£1.50 per £100
Cheques (in/out)40p£1.50
CHAPS Payments Cost£18.75£25
SEPA Payments Cost€0.51No

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Business Savings Rates

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accountsInstant access, 35+ day, 95+ day
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)1.46%1.63%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)1.92%2.51%
Minimum Savings AmountNoNo
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesNo
 

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Account Opening Times

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
24 working hours5 Working days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Features & Account Types

Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


Co-operative Bank Account Types
Co-operative Bank Features & Account Types


Ulster BankCo-operative 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 TypeMastercardVisa
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsNorthern Ireland OnlyLimited locations accross the UK

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Customer Support Options

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesYes

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
US Dollar (USD) Bank AccountsYesYes
Euro (EUR) Bank AccountsYesYes
Other Currencies Available:
  • Swiss franc
  • Japanese yen
  • Australian dollar
  • Canadian dollar
  • New Zealand dollar
  • Swedish krona
No

Other Business Services From Ulster Bank and Co-operative Bank

Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


Co-operative Bank Account Types
Other Co-operative Bank Services


Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesNoYes
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareYesYes

Ulster Bank vs Co-operative Bank Banking Basics

Ulster BankCo-operative Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetHigh Street
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA NumberNA990937
WebsiteUlster Bank WebsiteCo-operative Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Ulster Bank or Co-operative Bank have better customer reviews?

Ulster Bank scores 1.5 out of 5 based 114 Trustpilot reviews. Of these reviews 8% are 5-star and 86% are 1-star.

Whereas, Co-operative Bank scores 4.2 out of 5 based 7,699 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 51% are 5-star and 39% are 1-star.

Does Ulster Bank or Co-operative Bank have a better App?

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.

In comparison, Co-operative Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 47,800 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.3 out of 5 based on 33,000 reviews.

Does Ulster Bank or Co-operative Bank have better business savings rates?

Ulster Bank offers the following types of business savings accounts: Instant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.46% to 1.92%. (AER)

In contrast, Co-operative Bank offers Instant access, 35+ day, 95+ day accounts with interest rates ranging from 1.63% to 2.51% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Ulster Bank vs Aldermore
Ulster Bank vs Handelsbanken
Ulster Bank vs Anna
Ulster Bank vs Hampshire Trust Bank
Ulster Bank vs Mettle


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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