How to choose the best business savings account

Choosing the right business savings account can help your business to earn interest and grow some extra cash. This guide shows you how to pick the best account and compare the top options currently available for UK businesses. 

What is a business savings account?

A business savings account is a separate account where you can put business money you don’t need right away. It earns interest and is useful for storing funds that aren’t needed for daily expenses, taxes, or payroll.

Compare business savings account types

There are a few main types of business savings accounts, based on how easy it is to take money out and how long you plan to save:

• Easy Access: You can take out money anytime. These usually offer flexible access and variable interest rates.

• Notice accounts: You need to give advance notice before you can withdraw. These often pay better interest.

• Fixed-term deposits: Your money is locked away for a set time in return for a fixed interest rate.

Here’s a quick comparison of the three main types of business savings accounts:

Top business savings accounts in the UK (July 2025)

Here are some of the best business savings accounts currently available to UK businesses:

Note: rates are subject to change, always check live rates on provider websites.

What to look for in a business savings account

1. FSCS protection

When choosing a business savings account, check whether your money is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS is a UK government-backed deposit protection scheme. If your bank or savings provider fails (goes bankrupt, enters administration, etc.), the FSCS ensures your eligible deposits are reimbursed up to £85,000 per business, per authorised institution. This protection applies only to firms authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

From 1 December 2025, the FSCS limit is set to increase to £110,000, reflecting inflation and improving depositor safety.

Why FSCS protection is important

• Risk reduction: It removes the risk of losing your business savings due to bank failure (a rare but not impossible event).

• Peace of mind: You know your money (up to the protection threshold) is secure even in uncertain economic times.

Are all business savings accounts FSCS-Protected?

No, some accounts are not covered by the FSCS. Typical examples include:

• E-money providers or non-bank fintechs (e.g. some business accounts from challenger apps)

• Foreign banks not regulated under a UK banking licence

• Peer-to-peer lending platforms and investment-backed accounts that technically act like savings, but aren’t protected as deposits

These might offer higher returns, but they carry more risk. If they fail, you might lose your money or face delays getting it back.

Should you avoid non-FSCS accounts?

Not necessarily, it depends on your business’s risk appetite and cash management strategy. You might decide to:

• Use FSCS-protected accounts for core capital and reserves

• Use higher-risk, non-FSCS accounts for a small portion of surplus funds to chase higher yield

• Diversify across multiple FSCS-covered institutions to spread protection

How to check if a provider Is FSCS-Protected

You can confirm FSCS protection by:

• Visiting the provider’s website: they must clearly state FSCS eligibility

• Checking the FSCS register

• Verifying that the provider is authorised by the PRA/FCA under a UK banking licence

Important to note: FSCS protection applies per bank licence, not per brand. If two brands share a licence (like HSBC and First Direct), your £85,000 limit is shared between them.

2. Access restrictions

Different accounts offer different levels of access. If you think you might need the money soon, go for easy access. If you can plan ahead, a notice or fixed-term account might pay more interest.

4. Interest type: Fixed vs variable 

When choosing a business savings account, you’ll be offered either a fixed rate or a variable rate. When it comes to choosing, the question is: which one supports your financial strategy?

Fixed Interest: Predictable, But Inflexible

A fixed-rate business savings account gives you a guaranteed interest rate for a set period (e.g. 6 or 12 months). It’s a good choice if:

• You want predictable returns and easy planning

• You have spare cash you won’t need soon

• You expect interest rates to stay the same or go down

• Fixed accounts protect your returns if rates fall, but if rates go up, you might miss out on better earnings. Also, your money is locked in, so early withdrawals may not be allowed or could come with penalties.

Variable Interest: flexible, but less predictable

A variable-rate account tracks the market (the Bank of England base rate)This means your interest rate can go up or down. However, note that each institution chooses when to change their rates and won’t be as high as the Bank of England base rate. 

It can be a good option if:

• You want easy access to your money

• You expect interest rates to rise

• Your business has inconsistent income or expenses

However, variable accounts offer no guaranteed return, and in falling rate environments, your interest earnings could go down.

How to decide: Match savings types to your cash timeframe

Businesses often split their savings into different “tiers” based on how long they can set funds aside. This can help when comparing accounts with different access terms and interest types:

• Tier 1: Operational float (1–3 months)Typically kept in an easy-access or variable-rate account to ensure cash is available for monthly expenses and short-term needs.

• Tier 2: Contingency or tax reserves (3–9 months)Some businesses use notice accounts or short fixed-term deposits for funds earmarked for tax payments or unexpected costs. These usually offer higher rates in exchange for less immediate access.

• Tier 3: Strategic reserves (6–18+ months)For surplus funds that aren’t needed in the near term, fixed-rate accounts can offer more attractive returns, but limit access until maturity.

⚠ This is general information and does not constitute financial advice. You should consider speaking to a qualified adviser if you're unsure about which savings account is right for your business.

5. Minimum deposit and eligibility

Minimum deposit requirements vary. Some accounts can be opened with £0, while others may need up to £10,000. Consider how much your minimum deposit will be to choose the best savings account for your business. 

6. Online features

Look for accounts with strong digital features, like online dashboards, mobile apps, and multi-user access. These tools make it easier to manage funds, especially useful if your team includes finance managers or directors.

Tax, legal & practical considerations for business savings accounts

When using a business savings account, there are a few important things to keep in mind, especially around tax, accounting, and how it might impact your business financially.

• Regularly earning interest on your savings can help strengthen your business credit profile. Even small, steady savings show lenders that your business manages cash well. This can work in your favour when applying for loans or other funding, such as a credit card.

• Any interest your business earns is treated as income and must be included in your annual profits for Corporation Tax. Unlike personal savings accounts (like ISAs), business savings don’t have a tax-free allowance. If you're a sole trader, you’ll need to report this interest on your personal Self Assessment tax return.

• Interest earned should be properly recorded as other income in your accounting software or ledger. For Limited Companies, it may be shown on the profit and loss statement as "Bank Interest Received." This can slightly increase your Corporation Tax liability, but also reflects well on your balance sheet and retained earnings.

• If you run a limited company or LLP, it is good practice to keep your business finances separate from personal ones. Using a business savings account helps you keep this separation.

• Each legally registered business (e.g. Company A Ltd, Company B LLP) has its own £85,000 FSCS protection per authorised bank.

• This means if you run more than one company, you can spread deposits across banks to maximise protection. From December 2025, this limit is expected to increase to £110,000.

• Savings interest is not subject to VAT. This is important when forecasting total business costs and tax exposure.

This is general information only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. For tailored guidance, speak with a qualified accountant or legal advisor.

Which account type is best for your business?

Use this quick table to match your savings goal with the right type of account:

How business savings can help you access a loan

Building a cash buffer isn’t just smart money management, it can directly improve your chances of securing a business loan.

When lenders assess your application, they look at whether your business has surplus funds, good financial discipline, and a track record of managing money well. A well-funded business savings account shows you have the ability to generate and retain cash, a strong sign that you can handle debt responsibly.

By building and maintaining a savings buffer, you demonstrate lower risk and may qualify for better rates or access larger credit lines.

💡 Want to learn how to boost your credit profile and loan approval chances? Read our guide on how to build credit for a business loan.