Bank Accounts for CICs and Charities: UK Options Compared
Which UK banks accept CICs and charities, what each account costs, and what you need to apply. Fees and eligibility checked on each bank's own site.
If you run a community interest company, opening a bank account can be harder than winning your first grant. A CIC is not a charity, so many free charity accounts are closed to you. And it is not an ordinary company either, so several of the app banks that sole traders and start-ups use will turn you away. This guide sets out which banks do accept CICs, what they charge, and what to have ready before you apply.
We checked every fee and eligibility rule below on each bank's own website on 3 November 2026. Banks change their terms often, so always confirm on the bank's page before you apply.
Why CICs find banking difficult
There are three common sticking points.
- Charity accounts are often for registered charities only. Some of the best free accounts are written for organisations on a charity register, which a CIC is not.
- App banks often exclude CICs. Countingup lists CICs, charities, CIOs and companies limited by guarantee among the business types it cannot support, and ANNA is open to sole traders, limited company directors and partnerships. Tide does not offer accounts to CICs either.
- More checks. Because a CIC has an asset lock and often a guarantee structure, banks may ask for more documents and take longer to decide.
The good news is that several banks name CICs directly, and a few of them charge nothing each month.
Banks that accept CICs and charities
| Bank and account | Monthly fee | CICs accepted? | Apply online? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Co-operative Bank, Charity and Community Bank Account | No monthly service fee | Yes, if registered at Companies House | Yes | Also for charities, co-ops and credit unions. Business moving to Coventry Building Society on 1 Jan 2027, subject to court approval |
 Unity Trust Bank, Business Current Account | £7 | Check with the bank | Yes | No transaction fees under £100k paid in a year, then 15p each. £50 opening deposit. No branches |
| CAF Bank CAF Bank, CAF Cash Account | £5 | Yes | Yes, or paper pack | Earns 0.20% interest. Two-person payment approval online |
| Barclays Barclays, Charity Impact Account | No fees, per Barclays | Yes | Yes | Check turnover and number-of-officials limits with the bank |
 Starling, Business Current Account | £0 | Yes, if registered at Companies House | Yes, in the app | People with significant control must be UK residents |
 Lloyds, Charity Account and Community Account | Charity £0, Community £4.25 | Check with the bank | Check with the bank | Under £250,000 paid in a year. Community Account not for profit-distributing organisations |
 NatWest, Community bank account | Free under £100k turnover if someone applying already banks with NatWest | Check with the bank | Yes | Over £100k moves to standard fees |
 HSBC, Charitable Bank Account | Free | Check with the bank | Clubs, societies and associations only. Others call | Main purpose must be charitable |
 Metro Bank, Community Current Account | £3 | Check with the bank | No, open in store | Up to £250,000 turnover, three account operators, 200 free transactions a month |
| Zempler Bank Zempler Bank, Business Go | £0 | Check with the bank | Yes | Companies limited by guarantee face extra checks and a £100 fee |
Where we say "check with the bank", the bank's own page did not say clearly whether CICs can apply. That is not a no. It means you should ask before you spend time on the forms.
Which one suits you?
- You want a free account and you are a registered CIC: start with the Co-operative Bank or Barclays, which both name CICs and charge no monthly fee.
- You want an app with fast set-up: Starling accepts CICs registered at Companies House, as long as everyone with significant control is a UK resident.
- You want a specialist in social purpose banking: CAF Bank and Unity Trust Bank charge a small monthly fee but know the sector well.
- You handle lots of cash: look at banks with branch or Post Office paying in. Unity says it may not be the right bank if cash is your main source of funds.
What you will need to open an account
Each bank has its own list, but expect to provide most of the following.
- Your Companies House registration number (NatWest asks for this for limited companies, and Starling and the Co-operative Bank need your CIC to be registered there).
- Personal details for your directors or trustees. NatWest asks for the home addresses of everyone listed at Companies House for the last three years. The Co-operative Bank checks all "key individuals" against credit and fraud records.
- ID and proof of address for the people running the account.
- Your governing document and evidence of purpose. Unity may ask for registration documents, the date you were established, and where your money comes from.
- An opening deposit at some banks, for example £50 at Unity.
The UK Finance business banking checklist is a useful shared list across banks.
Tips before you apply
- Set up dual authorisation. Many funders like to see two people approve each payment. CAF Bank, Unity and the Co-operative Bank all offer two-person or multi-user payment controls.
- Pick at least two signatories so the account keeps running when someone is away or steps down.
- Open the account in your organisation's name. Most grant funders will only pay into an account held by the organisation that applied, never a personal account.
- Allow time. The Co-operative Bank and Barclays both aim to decide within five working days, but CIC applications can take longer. Open the account well before a grant deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can a CIC open a charity bank account?
Sometimes. The Co-operative Bank's Charity and Community account, CAF Bank's Cash Account and Barclays' Charity Impact Account all name CICs as eligible. Many other charity accounts are for registered charities only.
Does Tide accept CICs?
No. Tide, Countingup and ANNA do not offer accounts to CICs. Starling and Zempler are the app-style options worth checking.
Do I need a separate bank account for grant funding?
You need an account in your organisation's name. Most funders will not pay into a personal account. Some ask you to track their grant separately, which you can do with a second account or careful bookkeeping.
Is there a free bank account for CICs?
Yes. The Co-operative Bank charges no monthly service fee, Barclays says its Charity Impact Account has no fees, and Starling's business account is £0 a month. Check each tariff for charges on cash and international payments.
Ready to look for funding?
Once your account is open, you are ready to apply. Browse live grants for CICs, checked daily, or read our guide to CIC grants in the UK for the funders most open to community interest companies.