Rate Check by country: Canada · United States · United Kingdom
Key takeaways
- Instant-access savings: best 3.25% standard vs the 1.97% Bank of England business average.
- Boosted rates up to 4.08% need conditions; the standard rate is 2.83%.
- 12-month fixed: 4.00% vs a 3.47% average for new business fixed deposits.
- Direct Debit: 1% + 20p capped at £4 vs 1.5% + 20p for UK cards online.
- Card foreign fees: £0 vs 2.99% on typical bank business cards.
What the Treasi Rate Check is
The Treasi Rate Check compares the best published rates and fees for UK businesses with typical pricing, every month. “Best” means the highest published standard rate or lowest published fee among the providers Treasi compares, with boosts and promotions shown separately. “Typical” uses official Bank of England averages for business deposits, which reflect what UK businesses actually earn, and otherwise the published fees of large banks. Figures were checked in November 2026; the Bank of England averages are for August 2026, the latest published. Rates change, so confirm before you act.
Business cash: best vs typical
| Product | Best on Treasi | Typical | What it means on £250,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant-access savings (standard) | 3.25% (Tide Instant Saver, Max plan, up to £1 million) | 1.97% Bank of England average for business instant-access deposits | About £8,125 a year vs about £4,925 |
| Instant access with boosts | Up to 4.08% (Allica Savings Pot, with conditions) | 2.83% Allica standard rate | Boosts need conditions such as 15 transfers a month or a current account switch |
| 12-month fixed | 4.00% (Allica 1 Year Fixed) | 3.47% Bank of England average for new business fixed deposits | About £10,000 a year vs about £8,675 |
Tide’s savings rates depend on the Tide plan you pay for: its Pro plan pays 3.00% on balances up to £150,000, and new savers can get an introductory rate of up to 4% for 4 months. Tide’s rates track the Bank of England base rate.
Payments: best vs typical
| Payment type | Lower-cost option | Typical | On a £5,000 invoice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large invoices | Direct Debit: 1% + 20p, capped at £4 (GoCardless, Stripe Bacs) | 1.5% + 20p UK card online (Stripe) | About £4 vs about £75.20 |
| In-person cards | 0.99% with SumUp Payments Plus (£19 a month) | 1.69% SumUp pay as you go | Payments Plus pays off at higher card volumes |
| International cards | 1.5% + 20p for UK cards (Stripe) | 3.25% + 20p for non-EEA cards; 2.5% + 20p for EEA cards | Cross-border cards cost more |
Corporate cards: best vs typical
| Feature | Best on Treasi | Typical bank card | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign transaction fees | £0 (Capital on Tap) | 2.99% (Barclaycard and Lloyds business cards) | On £5,000 a month of foreign spend, 2.99% costs about £1,794 a year |
| Cash back with no annual fee | 1% uncapped (Capital on Tap) | 1% with a £30 annual fee (Santander) | Same rate without the fee |
| Per-card fees | £0 | About £30 per cardholder a year at some big banks (reported) | Adds up across a team |
How to use this month’s Rate Check
- Compare your savings rate with the 1.97% average and the 3.25% best standard rate.
- Check what boosts and promotions require before you count on them.
- Offer Direct Debit for large or recurring invoices.
- Check your card’s non-sterling fee if your team spends abroad.
- Get your Treasi score to see where your business could save.
How we build the Rate Check
Each month we check the published rates and fees of the UK providers Treasi compares on their own pages, and use the Bank of England’s effective interest rate statistics for business deposits as the typical benchmark. Boosted and promotional rates are shown separately, reported figures are labelled, and we never forecast rates.
Providers that can help
Compare these providers, then request a free, no-obligation quote.
Business account with an instant-access saver
£0 Monthly fee
No foreign fees and 1% uncapped cash back
1% CashbackFAQs
What is the Treasi Rate Check?
A monthly comparison of the best published rates and fees for UK businesses against typical pricing, covering business savings, payments and corporate cards, using Bank of England averages as the benchmark.
What is the average interest rate UK businesses earn on deposits?
According to the Bank of England, the effective rate on businesses’ instant-access (sight) deposits was 1.97% in August 2026, and 3.47% on new fixed-term deposits.
What is the best business savings rate in the UK this month?
Among the UK accounts Treasi compares, the best standard instant-access rate was 3.25% at Tide on its paid Max plan. Allica pays up to 4.08% with conditional boosts on a 2.83% standard rate.
Is Direct Debit cheaper than card payments?
For larger invoices, yes. Direct Debit costs 1% + 20p capped at £4 with GoCardless or Stripe Bacs, so a £5,000 invoice costs about £4, compared with about £75.20 by UK card online.
Do UK business cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Many do. Barclaycard and Lloyds business cards charge 2.99% on non-sterling transactions, while Capital on Tap charges £0.
How often is the Rate Check updated?
Every month, using the latest published provider rates and Bank of England statistics.
Sources: Bank of England Effective interest rates and Money and Credit (August 2026); Tide Instant Saver summary boxes; Allica Bank business savings page (rates correct 17 September 2026); Allica fixed rates as reported (November 2026); Stripe UK and GoCardless pricing; SumUp UK pricing; Barclaycard and Lloyds business card fees; Treasi card database.