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Bank Accounts Latest News Santander's RBS branches deal 'negatively affected business banking market'
Bank Accounts Latest News Santander's RBS branches deal 'negatively affected business banking market' Santander's RBS branches deal 'negatively affected business banking market'
An expert has criticised the UK's business banking market.
Organisations seeking competitive business account packages may have been denied greater choice in the market due to a recent deal between two major financiers, it has been suggested.Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money, has said that Santander's purchase of 318 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) branches represented an "opportunity lost" to end the period of dominance of the country's five biggest lenders within the small business banking sector, Herald Scotland reports.
Ms Gadhia told MPs that the agreement - which may have been good news for Santander savings holders - simply strengthened the "oligolopy" that HSBC, RBS, Santander, Barclays and Lloyds TSB enjoy in the UK, meaning that consumer choice and competition is limited.
She added that these five institutions now "operate more than 90 per cent of the small business market".
Meanwhile, Santander recently offered a £100 bonus to any firm switching to one of its business accounts.
By Nate Sawyer
Wednesday, 19 January 2011 00:00
Top Business Credit Cards
|
Card |
Balance Transfers |
Purchases |
Typical APR (variable) |
Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Full Table > | ||||
 |
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N/A
N/A
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N/A
N/A
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19.9%
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 |
||||
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N/A
N/A
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0%
3 mths
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21.7%
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||
Advice
Get 3% Cash Back on office supplies & stationery, legal & accounting services, computer equipment and support, 1% cash back on fuel and 0.5% cash back on everything else.
| Introductory Offer | |
|---|---|
| Balance Transfer Rate: | N/A |
| Balance Transfer Fee: | N/A |
| Purchase Rate: | N/A |
| Representative APR | |
| Purchases: | 19.9% p.a. (variable) |
| Representative Example: | Representative 19.9% APR variable. Based on £32 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200, rate of interest variable (annual) 19.9% |
| Annual Rates | |
| Balance Transfers: | 24.9% p.a. |
| Cash Advance: | 27.9% p.a. |
| Annual Fee: | £32 p.a. |
| Standard Features | |
| Credit Limit: | £10,000 Maximum (Subject to Status) |
| Interest Free Days: | Up to 56 days |
| On-Line Banking: | Yes |
| Cashback | |
| Standard Cashback Rate: | 0.50% |
Advice
Get up to 0% for 3 months on your business purchases.
| Introductory Offer | |
|---|---|
| Balance Transfer Rate: | N/A |
| Balance Transfer Fee: | N/A |
| Purchase Rate: | 0% for 3 mths |
| Representative APR | |
| Purchases: | 21.7% p.a. (variable) |
| Representative Example: | Representative 21.7% APR variable. Based on £32 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200, rate of interest variable (annual) 21.7% |
| Annual Rates | |
| Balance Transfers: | 21.7% p.a. |
| Cash Advance: | 27.9% p.a. |
| Annual Fee: | £32 p.a. |
| Standard Features | |
| Credit Limit: | £10,000 Maximum (Subject to Status) |
| Interest Free Days: | Up to 56 days |
| On-Line Banking: | Yes |
| Approval Criteria | |
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Top Business Accounts
|
Provider |
Account |
Free Banking Duration |
Interest Paid |
Apply |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Full Table > | |||||
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Up to 2 years free banking (Ts&Cs apply) & free automated transactions
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N/A
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for Up to 24 months
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N/A
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Get free automated transactions, plus a whole lot more
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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 |
Get 24 months' free banking for start-ups. £500 fee-free overdraft in the first year. Free Regus Gold Card - Access to business lounges.
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0%
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for 24 months
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N/A
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 |
Get 12 months' free banking or 18 months free with the 'Santander Business Start-up Extra' if you have a personal Santander Bank Account
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N/A
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for 12 months
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N/A
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Choose a simple, fixed monthly fee based on how much cash you deposit each month - the rest of your day-to-day banking is unlimited.
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0.25%
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for N/A
|
N/A
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Barclays Business Start-up account
- Up to 2 years free banking* (Ts&Cs apply)
- Free Automated Transactions Tariff as standard (at the end of the Free Banking Period)
- Your own Barclays Business Manager – backed up by an Award Winning Telephony Team**
- Bank in branch, online or by phone
- We offer more than you’d expect from a bank…
- Free CREDITFOCUS Classic - an award wining credit management tool***
- We offer up to 45 minutes’ free consultation with local professional experts in accountancy, marketing and law.
- Free Local Business seminars
- Free - Securely back up 2GB of your business data
- Access to unique business management software so that you can spend less time on admin and more time on what you love doing
- * There is no charge for standard transactions for two years if the Barclays Business Essentials and CREDITFOCUS Pro or Barclays Business Essentials Plus and CREDITFOCUS Pro or Barclays Business Manager and CREDITFOCUS Pro are purchased at the time of opening the account. This is only applicable for new businesses opening their account with Barclays. This applies to everyday Sterling, debit and credit transactions and the maintenance fee. Please note: accounts must be active.
- **Best Large Call Centre in 2007 European Call Centre Awards
- ***Available to small businesses with a turnover below £1m
Barclays Business Current Account
- Free Automated Transactions Tariff as standard
- Your own Barclays Business Manager – backed up by an Award Winning Telephony Team**
- Bank in branch, online or by phone
- We offer more than you’d expect from a bank…
- Free CREDITFOCUS Classic our award winning service to help cut out late payers and the risk of bad debt until 31st December 2009 *
- Free advice from a local solicitor
- Free Local Business seminars
- Free - Securely back up 2GB of your business data
- Free online skills training
- Free advice from our Legal & Tax helpline
- Plus, access to unique business management software so that you can spend less time on admin and more time on what you love doing
- **Best Large Call Centre in 2007 European Call Centre Awards
- *Available to small businesses with a turnover below £1m
Natwest Business Start-up Account
- At NatWest, there’s a great range of benefits for new business start-ups including FREE banking for 2 years
- Free unlimited transactions- Turnover less than £1,000,000
- No annual fee on a Business Credit Card with Natwest
- £500 fee-free overdraft in the first year to help you manage your cash flow
- Free Regus Gold Card Membership for 12 months worth £420
- Free face to face advice from a named, dedicated local business manager
- Free start-up pack providing powerful business planning software and useful business guides
- Exclusive selection of discounts and offers
- Access to our added value business partners including Streamline,
- Access to one of the largest branch networks in the country
- Option to do your banking on-line, over the telephone or through our mobile banking service. All backed up by UK call centres manned 24/7
- Start your business with Natwest today!
Santander Business Start-Up Current Account
- Get 12 months' free banking or 18 months free with the 'Santander Business Start-up Extra' if you have a personal Santander Bank Account
- The Santander Start Up Business Current Account is open to businesses with a turnover of up to £250k.
- Free Unlimited Day to Day Transactions - No charge to deposit or withdraw cash, cheques, BACS, debit card payments, standing orders, etc.
- You'll only pay for non-standard transactions, such as CHAPS and change-giving
- After 12 month free period (or 18 month if previous personal banking customer) you will be placed on a monthly tariff ranging from £7.50 per month to £20.00 depending on the amount of cash you wish to deposit
- Deposit £1 - £1000 in cash = £7.50 per month
- Deposit £1000 - £3000 in cash = £12.50 per month
- Deposit £3000 - £5000 in cash = £20 per month
- Deposit £5000+ in cash = £0.50 per £100 after £5k
- Get a Post Office® Cash Deposit Card - Lets you authorise other people to deposit cash at participating Post Office® branches
- Get a personalised service through our network of small business advisers
- The convenience to manage your account online, by telephone or through our 1,400 branches
- The flexibility to authorise others to operate the account on your behalf
- Link your business current account to a Santander business savings account for easy transfer of funds
- Earn interest on credit balances. Currently 0.01% gross/AER (variable)
- Access to business overdraft facilities
- Cheque book, paying in book, debit card and regular statements
Santander Business Current Account
- ***CALL 0800 015 8409 TO APPLY***
- As a standard Santander Business Account customer you will be placed on a monthly tariff ranging from £7.50 per month to £20.00 depending on the amount of cash you wish to deposit
- Deposit £1 - £1000 in cash = £7.50 per month
- Deposit £1000 - £3000 in cash = £12.50 per month
- Deposit £3000 - £5000 in cash = £20 per month
- Deposit £5000+ in cash = £0.50 per £100 after £5k
- Get a Post Office® Cash Deposit Card - Lets you authorise other people to deposit cash at participating Post Office® branches
- Get a personalised service through our network of small business advisers
- The convenience to manage your account online, by telephone or through our 1,400 branches
- The flexibility to authorise others to operate the account on your behalf
- Link your business current account to a Santander business savings account for easy transfer of funds
- Earn interest on credit balances. Currently 0.01% gross/AER (variable)
- Access to business overdraft facilities
- Cheque book, paying in book, debit card and regular statements
Lloyds TSB New Business Start up Account
- 18 months free day-to-day banking and support from your own business manager.
- During the first 18 months you will not be charged for:
- - Paying in or taking out cash
- - Paying in or issuing cheques
- - Paying standing orders and direct debits
- There is no limit on the number of deposits or withdrawals, and you do not need to keep a minimum balance in your account to qualify.
- When your free banking period ends choose either 'Business Extra Tariff' or 'Electronic Business Tariff'.
Lloyds TSB Established Business Switch A/C
- Smooth move from your old business account to new Lloyds business account guaranteed or get £50 cash back!!
- Interest free overdraft of up to £5,000 while moving
- During the first 6 months you will not be charged for:
- - Paying in or taking out cash
- - Paying in or issuing cheques
- - Paying standing orders and direct debits
- There is no limit on the number of deposits or withdrawals, and you do not need to keep a minimum balance in your account to qualify.
- When your free banking period ends choose either 'Business Extra Tariff' or 'Electronic Business Tariff'.
HSBC Business Direct For Start-ups
- Introductory offer of up to 18 months free business banking with NO TRANSACTION LIMITS
- Free business banking WITH TRANSACTION LIMITS continues after the initial 18 months
- Support and business reviews from a local in-branch Business Specialist
- Manage your account with our free Business Internet Banking and Business Telephone Banking
- 24/7 access to your business account with our award-winning Business Internet Banking service
- Business Telephone Banking with UK call centres
- Business Text Message Banking to help keep track of your account on the move
- Online tips and information through our Knowledge Centre
- Available for businesses with a turnover below £500k
HSBC Small Business Tariff For Start Ups
- 18 months free business banking
- Support and business reviews from a local in-branch Business Specialist
- Traditional branch banking at more than 1,500 branches, but with the flexibility of online and telephone banking as well
- 24/7 access to your business account with our award-winning Business Internet Banking service
- Business Telephone Banking with UK call centres
- Business Text Message Banking to help keep track of your account on the move
- Ideal if you mainly use cash and handle cheques
- Online tips and information through our Knowledge Centre
- Available for businesses with a turnover below £2 million
HSBC Business Direct For Switchers
- Introductory offer of up to 6 months free business banking with NO TRANSACTION LIMITS
- Free business banking WITH TRANSACTION LIMITS continues after the initial 6 months
- Support and business reviews from a local in-branch Business Specialist
- Manage your account with our free Business Internet Banking and Business Telephone Banking
- 24/7 access to your business account with our award-winning Business Internet Banking service
- Business Telephone Banking with UK call centres
- Business Text Message Banking to help keep track of your account on the move
- Online tips and information through our Knowledge Centre
- Available for businesses with a turnover below £500k
HSBC Small Business Tariff For Switchers
- 6 months free business banking
- Support and business reviews from a local in-branch Business Specialist
- Traditional branch banking at more than 1,500 branches, but with the flexibility of online and telephone banking as well
- 24/7 access to your business account with our award-winning Business Internet Banking service
- Business Telephone Banking with UK call centres
- Business Text Message Banking to help keep track of your account on the move
- Ideal if you mainly use cash and handle cheques
- Online tips and information through our Knowledge Centre
- Available for businesses with a turnover below £500k
