TSB Business Banking: What You should Know

Looking for a new business bank account? TSB could be one of the good choices, as it’s an established bank offering a range of services and benefits for businesses of all sizes.

Even better, TSB often has a free banking period for new customers¹. This means you can try out the account for a while before paying for it.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about TSB business bank accounts. You’ll learn all about the different account features and of course, the fees. We’ll also show you how a multi-currency account could save you money on international payments.

So, let’s get started.

What kind of business bank account does TSB offer?

TSB has one main business bank account – the TSB Business Plus Bank Account. This is particularly suitable for new or smaller businesses, but it has all the features that most organisations will need for everyday business banking.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s on offer with TSB Business Plus²:

• Mobile, online, phone and in-branch banking – so you can manage your account however you choose.
• 6 months fee-free banking (as long as you don’t go overdrawn and keep your account within the agreed limits).
• A simple tariff after the free 6-month initial period, where you’ll only be charged a flat monthly fee. This will be waived if you keep £10,000 or more in your account.
• A free Square Reader to help you take contactless payments anywhere, with fee-free use for the first £1,000 of sales.
• Specialist support and funding options to help you grow your business.

To be eligible for the TSB Business Plus account², you’ll need to be a partner, director or sole trader over 18 years of age. Your business must be registered in the UK, and you must be opening the account purely for business use. Ticked all the boxes? Great, you’re ready to apply on the TSB website.

Does TSB offer a business debit/credit card?

Alongside all the features listed above, the TSB Business Plus account also comes with a Business Debit Card². With this, you can withdraw money from an ATM and make transactions with no fees attached.

You can also apply for a TSB Business Credit Card if you need one. This gives you flexible repayment options and up to 45 days interest free credit on purchases made in GBP (provided you meet balance repayment requirements). The interest rate is 17.6% APR (variable) and there may be other charges to pay.³

Can you make international payments with TSB?

The TSB Business Plus account is suitable for businesses with dealings overseas. If you need to pay a supplier in another country, you can send an international payment using the TSB Online International Payments Service. This is a relatively quick and easy way to send money in over 20 currencies.

But remember that sending money internationally with any bank is likely to come with fees and charges, and TSB is no different. We’ll cover international transfer fees with TSB next, but you should also take into account the exchange rate used for any currency conversion. There’s usually a mark-up on this, giving you an unfavourable rate and costing you more overall.

Check the fees and compare it with alternatives like Wise who offers fast cross currency transfers at the real exchange rate for a small fee.

How much does it cost to have a TSB business account?

When choosing a new business account, it often comes down to cost. It’s really important to take the time to research account fees and charges before signing up. Focus on the services your business needs, to see if the account really is good value for you.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for transactions and services with the TSB Business Plus account:²

How to save money on international payments?

While the TSB Business Plus account may be good value in other areas, it may not be the cheapest when it comes to international payments.

If your business regularly makes payments overseas, especially outside of EEA countries, or you plan to expand into international markets – you might need a better value solution.

And here it is – Wise. You can open a Wise Business account in a matter of minutes. From there, you can send money worldwide for tiny, transparent fees and the real, mid-market exchange rate.

For some businesses, having a multi-currency account is a luxury due to the cost that comes with it and the complexity of getting one. Wise made it easy for businesses to open a multi-currency account without borders for a one-time setup fee of £16 - £21 depending on your country.

You can receive money in GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, NZD, PLN, SGD, HUF, TRY and CAD for free, invoice like a local and even spend in the local currency with a Wise Business Debit Card. Seamlessly integrate your Wise Borderless account with accounting software like Xero and Quickbooks, to make managing your money that much easier.

Get a multi-currency account

So there you have it – TSB business banking in a nutshell.

After reading this guide, you should have a better idea whether TSB is the right bank for your company. Its Business Plus account could be the ideal choice, especially if you’re a start-up, as it offers plenty of fee-free services and benefits.

But remember that TSB isn’t the only game in town. If there are services your business relies on, such as international payments, it really does pay to shop around for better value alternatives such as Wise.

Sources used:

Sources checked on 21-January 2021.