How to open Santander Business Account for SMEs and sole traders: In-Depth Review

2 July, 2025 · 10 min read

Author

Although Santander UK is a British bank, it’s owned by a Spanish company – Santander being a city in Northern Spain. Founded in 2004, Santander (the bank, not the city) currently has 14 million customers and branches spread across the UK, all the way from Elgin to Penzance.

Open a business account with ANNA and get your taxes sorted

With ANNA you get a debit card, automated bookkeeping, a personal payment link, up to 40% cashback and 24/7 customer support

I agree to ANNA’s privacy policy

Frequently asked questions

Try ANNA business account for free

Open a business account with ANNA and start sending and accepting payments today

Get started now

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a Santander business account online?

Currently, you can only open a Santander business account over the phone.

How long does a Santander business account take to open?

Applying for a Santander business account can be a moveable feast, as you have to give them a call to get things moving. Once you’ve applied, the average time it takes for your account to be active is five days. By contrast, an ANNA plan takes ten minutes to sign up for.

How do I close my Santander business account?

Sole traders can close their Santander business account online, but businesses that require more than one signature to operate need to call 0330 123 9860 or fill in and post an account closure form.