Santander UK vs Starling Bank: what each publishes
As of October 7, 2026
The published rules of Santander UK and Starling Bank, side by side: which industries each excludes or accepts, where owners must live, which countries each names, the licence each holds and the fees each publishes. Each answer links to the page that quotes the rule with the date we read it.
This is not a ranking, and the two names are in alphabetical order. Either provider may still decline your company because of its activity, where it is registered, where its owners live or which licence it holds. The free check applies the rules of every provider in our base to your answers.
Policy by industry
| Industry | Santander UK | Starling Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | No published rule | No published rule |
| iGaming | No published rule | No |
| Adult | No published rule | No |
| Unlicensed financial services | No | No |
| AI and SaaS | No published rule | No published rule |
| Forex and CFD | No published rule | No published rule |
| Marketplace | No published rule | No published rule |
Santander UK
Starling BankLicence
| Licensee | Santander UK | Starling Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Licensee | Santander UK plc · bank authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA (FRN 106054) | Starling Bank Ltd · bank authorised by the PRA and FCA (FRN 730166) |
| Regulator | FCA / PRA · | PRA / FCA · |
Where owners must live
Santander UK
have a maximum of two directors, owners (shareholders) or partners who are 18 or over and live in the UK.
Starling Bank
All persons of significant control (PSC) of your Limited Company or LLP are individuals and are residents of the United Kingdom (i.e. no corporate shareholders). … All directors and limited partners with access to the account are residents of the United Kingdom.
Rules about countries
Santander UK
No published rule
Starling Bank
No published rule
Fees
Santander UK
| Plan | Account opening | Monthly | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Current Account Classic | Not stated | GBP 9.99 a month; none for the first 12 months for start-ups and switchers; cash, cheque, CHAPS and foreign currency transactions are charged | · Source |
Starling Bank
| Plan | Account opening | Monthly | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business account | Not stated | None ('no monthly fees') | · Source |
| Euro business account (add-on) | Not stated | GBP 2 a month | · Source |
| Accounting Plus (add-on) | Not stated | GBP 7 a month until April 2027, then GBP 14 a month | · Source |