Top 10 Banks in Scotland 2023

If you’re looking for the best banks in Scotland, you’ve come to the right place. There are many banks in Scotland, so choosing the right one is crucial.

Understanding the best banks in Scotland will enable you to choose the one that offers the best interest rates, account types and minimum deposits.

The Scottish banking system is quite advanced and offers some special advantages, such as no bank charges if your account balance is still positive.

So, depending on the services provided, as well as the length of your stay in the country, you have the option to choose between different types of accounts.

How many banks are there in Scotland?

There are 14 banks in Scotland, according to Wikipedia, that are addressing the issue of financial transactions and providing a satisfying banking experience.

Three retail banks are permitted to print notes for circulation in Scotland out of the total number of Scottish banks: Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank.

Can a foreigner open a bank account in Scotland?

In Scotland, you can open a bank account even if you’ve only recently relocated there. Nevertheless, based on your country, creating a bank account may be difficult or expensive.

If you are an EU or EFTA citizen, you are entitled to open a basic account that enables you to carry out standard banking operations.

For foreigners, it is always advised to begin by opening a simple account.

Let’s go over how to open a straightforward bank account.

How to open a basic bank account in Scotland

You don’t need to provide evidence of your work in Scotland or of your credit history (which, of course, you won’t have yet) in order to register a basic account.

If you haven’t found a job, you can create a basic bank account in Scotland as early as three months.

To open a “basic” bank account, you typically need the following:

• Identity verification (valid passport or European identity card)
• current picture
• An electrical bill from the past three months is acceptable as proof of a UK address.

You have the option of switching to a “current” bank account after six or twelve months.

Note: In Scotland, telephone or cable bills are not regarded as evidence of identification or address, despite the fact that you can present water, gas, or electricity invoices.

What you need to do to open a current account in one of the best banks in Scotland

You must wait at least three months to open a current account in one of the top banks in Scotland, if you are a citizen of a third nation because you are not eligible to register a basic account.

Bank-specific documentation may differ; however, the following is typically needed:

The following are needed to open account in one of the best banks in Scotland

• Evidence of identity (valid passport)
• Current image
• Power bill over the past three months as evidence of residency in the UK
• Specifics of your present employment, earnings, or savings (including those in your home country)
• A sizeable deposit, the amount of which varies from bank to bank, to be made into your new Scottish bank account.
• Defeat the credit check

As previously indicated, the deposit needed to create a bank account in Scotland for a citizen of a third nation can be rather high and varies from bank to bank. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct detailed market research in order to keep track of rate variations.

Let’s move on to the list of the top banks in Scotland.

In order to find the banks with the best interest rates, account types, and minimum deposits, we simply did some research.

Top Banks In Scotland

These are the best banks in Scotland

1. Bank of Scotland

Bank of Scotland is a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group, and it has over 1,300 branches in the UK. It offers personal banking, business banking, and wealth management. Bank of Scotland has over 8 million active customers (as of June 2019).

Bank of Scotland offers several types of mortgages: Buy to Let Mortgages, Commercial Mortgages and Residential Mortgages.

2. Royal Bank of Scotland

This is one of the best banks in Scotland, In 1727, the Royal Bank of Scotland was established in Edinburgh. Since its founding, the bank has paved the way in banking over the years.

Through its comprehensive internet banking service, Royal Bank of Scotland has a history of making life simpler for its clients. The bank is dedicated to serving the community and prioritizing the needs of its clients.

The Royal Bank of Scotland offers more than three different account kinds, including Everyday bank accounts, Joint accounts, and Foundation accounts. Reward, Student, and other account types are included.

Account for children and teenagers.

There is no minimum deposit requirement for their daily account type, however you can anticipate paying an interest rate of 3.04 percent annual percentage yield (AER) on balances up to £1,000.

3. Clydesdale Bank

Whether you wish to save a little bit monthly or have a lump sum to invest, Clydesdale Bank is one the best banks in Scotland in Scotland that stands to help you reach your goals and enjoy the security and confidence that saving can bring you.

Their accounts are made to help you maintain control over your funds, whether you’re searching for an everyday account, one with benefits, excellent digital features, or anything else.

Maximize your life by setting money aside for the future. Any of their account types—Basic, Current, and Savings—can be opened by you.

You must deposit at least £1 in order to open an account with Clydesdale Bank. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the maximum balance or requirements for frequent deposits.

The special linked Savings Account that comes with each savings balance on your current account pays 0.50 percent AER/Gross (variable) each year on your savings balance and pays interest on a quarterly basis.

4. Bank of Scotland

This is another best banks in Scotland. The Bank of Scotland is committed to fostering prosperity in Scottish households, businesses, and communities. All of Scotland’s major towns and cities have a strong bank presence.

They mix long-term dedication and exceptional customer service to forge lasting bonds.

Basically, there are three basic account kinds that the Bank of Scotland offers: Classic, Platinum, and Youth and Student Accounts.

A minimum deposit of £1 is required to start an account, and the interest rate on balances between £4,000 and $5,000 is 1.50 percent AER.

5. Halifax

This is one of the best banks in Scotland. A division of Bank of Scotland plc is Halifax. This bank has many account plans because it recognizes that people like you save money for various reasons.

The Halifax line of bank accounts can make managing your daily finances simple or a little bit more complicated with accounts that contain a variety of insurance benefits.

The bank uses both current and savings accounts to run its business. Halifax The interest rate for current accounts is 0.10 percent AER. However, each interest rate for the various account categories is a moving target.

You must deposit at least £5 in cash into your account in order to start an account.

6. Barclays

This is one of the best banks in Scotland. Barclays is always pleased to assist companies in Scotland. This bank’s two primary account types are current and savings accounts.

The current account consists of a regular account made up of Barclays Bank, Premier Current, Basic Current, and Joint Accounts, Student Accounts made up of Student Addition and Higher Education Accounts, Young Persons made up of Children’s Bank, and Young Person’s Account, and Foreign Currency Account. Although the savings account is a regular, fixed-rate account that is open to kids as well.

To start an account with Barclays, you must pay a £1 minimum deposit fee, and their Everyday savings account offers a 0.01 percent interest rate.

7. Lloyds TSB

This is also one of the best banks in Scotland. A bank in Scotland called The Trustee Savings Bank (TSB) accepts savings deposits from people of average means. The first-ever Pride of Scotland is TSB.

It is one of the retail banks that provides full-service banking to more than five million consumers and has a reputable brand with loyal employees.

The majority of TSB’s business is conducted through current accounts, including the Spend & Save, Cash, Student, Graduate, and Under 19s accounts.

It is free (you don’t need a minimum deposit), regardless of whether you’re opening your first bank account, getting ready for college or university, or just looking for an everyday account.

However, not every type of account offers an interest rate. The student account will pay interest at a rate of 5% AER, while the under-19s account will pay interest at a rate of 2.5% AER. There is no interest rate for the rest account type.

8. HSBC

This is one of the best banks in Scotland with its current account, HSBC is a bank that will make managing your money simple. With their use of an overdraft, a linked savings account, and digital banking, you also have a lot to think about.

This bank’s two primary account types are current and savings accounts. While the savings account is a Regular and Fixed Rate Savings account that also accepts children, the current account includes Premier, Advance, Bank, Student, and Children’s.

You require a £1 minimum deposit and a 1.00 percent AER/gross interest rate that is fixed for 12 months in order to hold an account with them.

9. Santander

Santander is a Spanish multinational bank and financial services company founded in 1857. It has a large presence in the United Kingdom, with over 1,400 branches and over 19 million customers.

Santander offers standard current accounts for personal customers under the Santander brand name.

10. Monzo

Monzo is a mobile-first bank. It’s a digital-only bank, with no branches. It’s a challenger bank that aims to provide customers with an alternative to the big banks, offering better rates on savings accounts and current accounts, as well as its own app that lets you do everything from paying friends back for dinner to managing your budget.