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Ulster Bank VS OakNorth: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Ulster Bank or OakNorth better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Ulster Bank and OakNorth 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


OakNorth Homepage
OakNorth Homepage
 

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Trustpilot Reviews

Ulster BankOakNorth
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.54.8
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%84%
Percent 1- Star Reviews86%3%
Total Number of Reviews1148,904
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/oaknorth.co.uk

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth App Reviews

Ulster BankOakNorth
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.8
Number of iPhone Reviews15,7001,600
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.14.8
Number of Android Reviews15,000468
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/oaknorth-savings/id1476387507

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Account Fees & Charges

Ulster BankOakNorth
Free Business Bank AccountYesNo
Free Business Account Term Length24 MonthsNA
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£8£25
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£12£99.99
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)43pFree
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £10070p per £100
Cheques (in/out)40p£1 per cheque
CHAPS Payments Cost£18.75£17
SEPA Payments Cost€0.51No

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Business Savings Rates

Ulster BankOakNorth
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accountsFixed Term, Notice Accounts, Easy Access
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)1.46%3.85%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)1.92%3.85%
Minimum Savings AmountNo£10,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesNo
 

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Account Opening Times

Ulster BankOakNorth
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
24 working hoursFew minutes
Do They Check Your Credit?YesNo
Current Account Switch ServiceYesNo

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Features & Account Types

Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


OakNorth Account Types
OakNorth Features & Account Types


Ulster BankOakNorth
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesNo
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 BankingYesNo
Branch LocationsNorthern Ireland OnlyNone, online and phone only

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Customer Support Options

Ulster BankOakNorth
Phone Support AvailableYesYes
Email Support AvailableYesYes
App Based Support YesYes
Web Based SupportYesYes
In person Customer SupportYesNo

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Foreign Currency Accounts

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

Other Business Services From Ulster Bank and OakNorth

Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


OakNorth Account Types
Other OakNorth Services


Ulster BankOakNorth
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesNoYes
Invoice FinancingYesYes
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareYesNo

Ulster Bank vs OakNorth Banking Basics

Ulster BankOakNorth
Bank TypeHigh StreetChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA NumberNA629564
WebsiteUlster Bank WebsiteOakNorth Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Ulster Bank or OakNorth 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, OakNorth scores 4.8 out of 5 based 8,904 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 84% are 5-star and 3% are 1-star.

Does Ulster Bank or OakNorth 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, OakNorth’s iPhone App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 1,600 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 468 reviews.

Does Ulster Bank or OakNorth 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, OakNorth offers Fixed Term, Notice Accounts, Easy Access accounts with interest rates ranging from 3.85% to 3.85% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Ulster Bank vs Airwallex
Ulster Bank vs Triodos Bank
Ulster Bank vs Soldo
Ulster Bank vs Cambridge Building Society
Ulster Bank vs PayPal Debit


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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