Updated: September 24th 2026
Compare Business Accounts for Bad Credit
Compare UK business accounts if you have a poor or limited credit history.
Compare accounts with different eligibility and application requirements.
Check whether an account offers an overdraft or other credit facilities.
Review monthly fees, UK transfer costs and everyday banking features.
Compare account protection and provider information before applying.
Promo
Tide Business Bank Account
- Open in minutes
- Companies House registration via Tide
- Earn up to 4% AER with a Tide instant saver account
- Take payments with your smartphone
- Access business insurance
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Open in minutes
- Companies House registration via Tide
- Earn up to 4% AER with a Tide instant saver account
- Take payments with your smartphone
- Access business insurance
| EMI safeguarded |
|
|---|---|
| FSCS protection |
|
| Limit FSC Protection | £120,000 |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900843. FSCS protected. Tide Business accounts are provided by ClearBank |
| Disclaimer | *No monthly account fee. Other charges may apply. Check provider terms. |
| Best for | Fast-growing startups, SMEs that operate internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | LTD |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | Free |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Up to 3 per team member |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | +30 currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Get paid in 20+ currencies like a local (GBP, USD, EUR) across 70+ countries to avoid SWIFT fees.
- 0% Foreign Txn Fees: Use Visa corporate cards globally without any international transaction markups
- Sync transaction data with Xero & QuickBooks
- Convert money at real-time market rates with small, transparent markups
| EMI safeguarded |
|
|---|---|
| FSCS protection |
|
| Limit FSC Protection | N/A |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900876 |
| Best for | UK businesses operating internationally especially startups, SMEs, and scaling companies that need global accounts |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Limited Companies, LLPs, Limited/General Partnerships, and Sole Traders |
| Documents required | Find more info here: https://help.airwallex.com |
| Monthly fee & plans | £0 or £19/month |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| International / SWIFT payments | For major currencies: 0.5% |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Free issuance for up to 10 company cards on Explore account |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 20+ currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- World Card 1.2% Cashback
- Exclusive £80 Sign-Up Offer
- 0.3% FX rate for 180 days (new users)
- 100GBP card cashback for the first 3 month
| EMI safeguarded |
|
|---|---|
| FSCS protection |
|
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900508 |
| Disclaimer | *No monthly account fee. Other charges may apply. Check provider terms. **Other charges may apply, including transaction fees, cash deposits, card fees, international payments, FX charges or paid add-ons. Check the provider’s terms before applying. |
| Best for | UK businesses operating internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Ltd, Sole Trader, Partnership, LLP |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | Free |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| International / SWIFT payments | Payment fee is £4, and the conversion rate margin is 0.5% |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Free issuance for up to 25 company cards |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 100+ currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Fast opening
- No hard credit check
| EMI safeguarded |
|
|---|---|
| FSCS protection |
|
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900594 |
| Disclaimer | *No monthly account fee. Other charges may apply. Check provider terms.**Rate is variable. |
| Best for | Fast-growing startups, SMEs that operate internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Ltd, Sole Trader, Partnership, LLP |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | Free |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| International / SWIFT payments | £5 per SWIFT transaction |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 100+ currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Send, spend, exchange 30+ currencies
- Accountancy integrations
| EMI safeguarded |
|
|---|---|
| FSCS protection |
|
| Limit FSC Protection | £120,000 |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900562 |
| Promotion | *Get a £100 welcome bonus when you sign up through our link and add at least £0.01 to your new account by 31/12/2026. Fees, promotion terms and T&Cs apply |
| Disclaimer | **Other charges may apply, including transaction fees, cash deposits, card fees, international payments, FX charges or paid add-ons. Check the provider’s terms before applying. |
| Best for | Fast-growing startups, SMEs that operate internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | Ltd, LLP, Partnership |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | £10 |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | **10 month free, then 20p |
| International / SWIFT payments | International starting from £5 |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | - % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Up to 3 per team member |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | 30+ currencies |
Monthly Fee:
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Features:
Features:
- Open in minutes
- Companies House registration via Tide
- Earn up to 4% AER with a Tide instant saver account
- Take payments with your smartphone
- Access business insurance
| EMI safeguarded |
|
|---|---|
| FSCS protection |
|
| Limit FSC Protection | £120,000 |
| Regulator & FRN | FCA, FRN 900843. FSCS protected. Tide Business accounts are provided by ClearBank |
| Disclaimer | *No monthly account fee. Other charges may apply. Check provider terms. |
| Best for | Fast-growing startups, SMEs that operate internationally |
|---|---|
| Eligible business types | LTD |
| Documents required | Personal identity, residential proof, and business verification documents etc |
| Monthly fee & plans | Free |
|---|---|
| UK transfers | Free |
| Overdraft Available (EAR) |
|
| Overdraft rate (EAR) | N/A % |
| Mobile App |
|
|---|---|
| Multi Users / team cards |
|
| Invoicing tools |
|
| Tax tools (MTD / VAT) |
|
| Card included | Up to 3 per team member |
| UK branches |
|
| Multi-currency |
|
| Supported Currency | +30 currencies |
Can you get a business bank account with bad credit?
Having a poor credit history does not necessarily prevent you from opening a business bank account.
Whether you are accepted will depend on the provider, the type of account and the checks carried out as part of the application. A provider may consider information about the business and, depending on the business structure and account, information relating to its owners or directors.
Credit history can become particularly relevant when an account includes access to borrowing, such as an overdraft or another credit facility.
If you have bad credit, compare the eligibility requirements carefully before applying rather than assuming that every provider will assess your application in the same way.
How do bad credit business accounts work?
Business accounts available to applicants with poor credit can still provide the everyday banking features needed to manage a business, such as receiving payments, making transfers and using a business debit card.
The main difference may be access to credit. Accounts that do not include an overdraft or other borrowing facilities can involve different credit assessment requirements from accounts where the provider is also considering whether to lend money to the business.
However, no hard credit check does not mean no checks at all. Providers still need to carry out relevant identity, business and eligibility checks before opening an account.
Always check the individual provider's requirements before applying.
Do business bank accounts require a credit check?
Not every business account application is assessed in the same way.
Depending on the provider and product, an application may involve identity, eligibility and fraud-prevention checks and may also involve a soft or hard credit search. A hard credit search may be recorded on your credit file and visible to other organisations. Additional checks may also apply when the business requests an overdraft or another form of credit. Check the provider's information before applying.
If you are concerned about your credit history, check what type of search a provider may carry out before submitting an application.
What can you do if your business account application is declined?
A declined application with one provider does not necessarily mean that every provider will make the same decision, as eligibility requirements and assessment processes can differ.
Before making another application:
check that you meet the provider's eligibility criteria;
review the information submitted for mistakes or inconsistencies;
check your credit report for incorrect or outdated information where relevant; and
consider whether you are applying for account features, such as an overdraft, that involve additional credit assessment.
Understanding why an application was unsuccessful, where that information is available, can help you decide what to do next rather than immediately submitting multiple applications.
Can you improve your business credit profile?
A business credit profile can change over time.
Checking your business credit report can help you understand the information being recorded about the company and identify information that may need correcting.
Keeping business information accurate and up to date, meeting agreed payment obligations and managing existing borrowing responsibly can also contribute to the information used when a business is assessed for credit.
Remember that providers use their own eligibility and assessment criteria, so improving a credit profile does not guarantee acceptance for a particular business account or credit facility.
The MoneyCompare Recap for
Business Current Accounts
Monthly fee
Fee Transfers / Month:
Interest Rate (AER):
Any questions?
It depends on the provider, the account and the structure of the business. Some providers may carry out checks relating to business owners or directors as part of their assessment, particularly where the account includes an overdraft or another credit facility. Check the provider's application requirements before applying.
Potentially, yes. Having little or no business credit history does not automatically prevent a business from opening an account. The provider will apply its own eligibility, identity and business verification requirements.
It depends on the provider and the checks carried out. An application may involve a soft or hard credit search, and a hard search may be recorded on your credit file and visible to other organisations. Check the provider's information on credit checks before applying.
An overdraft is a form of borrowing and is normally subject to additional eligibility and credit assessment. Poor credit may therefore affect whether an overdraft is available and the terms offered.
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Any doubt?
No. Sole traders and freelancers are not legally required to have a separate business account — you can use a personal one. A limited company, however, is a separate legal entity and must keep its money separate, so it does need a dedicated business account. Even for sole traders, a separate account makes bookkeeping, tax returns and Making Tax Digital far simpler.
Opening an account may involve identity, fraud-prevention and eligibility checks. Some providers may carry out a soft credit search. A hard credit search may be carried out if you request an overdraft or another credit facility. Check the provider's terms before applying.
You'll typically need proof of identity, proof of address, and details of your business activity and expected turnover; limited companies also need their Companies House number and director/PSC details. Digital-first providers can approve you in minutes to 24 hours fully online, while high-street banks usually take several days to a few weeks. For a limited company, allow up to around 72 hours after registering with Companies House before applying.
Deposits held with a UK banking licence are FSCS-protected up to £120,000 per banking licence (since 1 December 2025); many app-based 'e-money' accounts are not FSCS-protected but safeguard your money in separate accounts. There's no limit on how many business accounts you can hold, and because cover is per licence, spreading large balances across separate licensed banks increases your total protection.
It varies. Many app-based accounts don't accept cash at all, while others let you pay in at the Post Office or PayPoint for a fee (often a percentage with a minimum charge). If your business is cash-heavy — for example hospitality or retail — check the cash deposit limits and fees carefully, or choose a provider with branch or Post Office access.