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Ulster Bank VS Reliance Bank: Business Banking Review & Fee Comparison


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

Is Ulster Bank or Reliance Bank better for your small business?



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Below we look at both Ulster Bank and Reliance 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


Reliance Bank Homepage
Reliance Bank Homepage
 

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Trustpilot Reviews

Ulster BankReliance Bank
Trustpilot Review Score (out of 5)1.53.4
Percent 5-Star Reviews8%25%
Percent 1- Star Reviews86%25%
Total Number of Reviews1144
Sources:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.ulsterbank.co.uk
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.reliancebankltd.com

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank App Reviews

Ulster BankReliance Bank
iPhone Review Score (out of 5)4.84.7
Number of iPhone Reviews15,700451
Android Review Score (out of 5)4.14
Number of Android Reviews15,000144
Sources:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/ulster-bank-ni-mobile-banking/id469523324
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reliance-bank-mobile-banking/id1050676219

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Account Fees & Charges

Ulster BankReliance Bank
Free Business Bank AccountYesNo
Free Business Account Term Length24 MonthsNA
Cheapest Monthly Account Fee£8£7.50
Most Expensive Monthly Account Fee£12£7.50
Electronic Payment Cost (in/out)43p25p
Cash Payments Cost (in/out)70p per £10030p / 25p per £100
Cheques (in/out)40p30p / 25p
CHAPS Payments Cost£18.75£15
SEPA Payments Cost€0.5125p

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Business Savings Rates

Ulster BankReliance Bank
Types of Business Savings AccountsInstant access accounts, Fixed term accounts, Currency savings accountsInstant Access, Fixed Term, Notice Savings
Lowest Savings Rate (AER)1.46%2.15%
Maximum Savings Rate (AER)1.92%4.40%
Minimum Savings AmountNo£1,000
Interest Paid On Foreign CurrenciesYesYes
 

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Account Opening Times

Ulster BankReliance Bank
Can You Apply Online?YesYes
How Long Does Opening An
Account Typically Take?
24 working hours7 Working days
Do They Check Your Credit?YesYes
Current Account Switch ServiceYesYes

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Features & Account Types

Ulster Bank Account Types
Ulster Bank Features & Account Types


Reliance Bank Account Types
Reliance Bank Features & Account Types


Ulster BankReliance Bank
Business Current AccountYesYes
Business Savings AccountYesYes
Business Credit CardYesNo
Business OverdraftYesYes
Accounts For StartupsYesNo
Accounts For CharitiesYesYes
Accounts For Sole TradersYesYes
Joint Business Accounts AvailableYesYes
Card TypeMastercardMastercard
Online BankingYesYes
Mobile BankingYesYes
In Person/Branch BankingYesYes
Branch LocationsNorthern Ireland OnlyLondon

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Customer Support Options

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

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Foreign Currency Accounts

Ulster BankReliance 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
  • Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Canadian Dollar (CAD)
  • New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Singapore Dollar (SGD)
  • Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Japanese Yen (JPY)

Other Business Services From Ulster Bank and Reliance Bank

Ulster Bank Account Types
Other Ulster Bank Services


Reliance Bank Account Types
Other Reliance Bank Services


Ulster BankReliance Bank
Business LoansYesYes
Commercial MortgagesNoYes
Invoice FinancingYesNo
International PaymentsYesYes
Merchant Payment ServicesYesYes
Card MachinesYesNo
Free Accounting SoftwareYesNo

Ulster Bank vs Reliance Bank Banking Basics

Ulster BankReliance Bank
Bank TypeHigh StreetChallenger
FSCS ProtectionYes, up to £85,000Yes, up to £85,000
FCA NumberNA204537
WebsiteUlster Bank WebsiteReliance Bank Website

Common Comparison Questions

Does Ulster Bank or Reliance 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, Reliance Bank scores 3.4 out of 5 based 4 Trustpilot reviews. Of which 25% are 5-star and 25% are 1-star.

Does Ulster Bank or Reliance 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, Reliance Bank’s iPhone App is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 451 reviews. And it’s Android App is rated 4 out of 5 based on 144 reviews.

Does Ulster Bank or Reliance 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, Reliance Bank offers Instant Access, Fixed Term, Notice Savings accounts with interest rates ranging from 2.15% to 4.40% (AER).

See Other Comparisons:
Ulster Bank vs SumUp Business Account
Ulster Bank vs Cambridge & Counties Bank
Ulster Bank vs Recognise Bank
Ulster Bank vs Dudley Building Society
Ulster Bank vs MyPOS


For other business bank accounts see our guide here.

 



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