Have you just recently moved to the UK for studies, work, or anything else, and are searching for the right bank? It could be for business, savings, or everyday expenses–food, transport, shopping, bills, etc.

For someone in a new country, choosing the right bank may look complicated because it’s an important part of your adult life and you should be intentional about it. 

One reason is because whatever bank you use plays a significant role in determining your financial health. If you miss it, you’d suffer financial distress one way or the other. You don’t want that.

Even though the UK has a lot of strong banks that cater to both domestic and international needs, it may be hard to know which one best suits your needs.

But you’re in luck, as we have compiled a list of the best banks in the UK by popular choice. This rating is based on customer service, different account types, credit cards, mortgages, rewards, insurance, etc.

A list of the top 10 best banks in the UK.

HSBC Holdings

This is one of the largest financial institutions in not just the UK, but the whole world.

It was founded in 1875 and has its headquarters in London, England. HSBC offers current accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, investing, international transactions, loans, and insurance.

It operates in 64 countries worldwide. So whether you’re a student or worker, this bank is a yes. 

Barclays

This bank was founded in 1690, making it the oldest bank in this list. It also has its headquarters in London, England, and has built itself as a force in the banking industry.

With Barclays, you can enjoy different financial services like wealth management, retail banking, and investment banking. It also has its presence in different continents—Europe, Africa, America, and Asia—and operates in more than 40 countries.

Santander UK

It’s one of the biggest banks in the UK owned by Banco Santander, a Spanish bank, making Santander UK a subsidiary.

If you’re looking for a bank with strong personal banking services, Santander is a good choice. It’s also one of the newest banks in the UK—founded in 2010—and is headquartered in London, England.

Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds is part of the Big 4 private banks in the UK. It was founded in 2009 and unlike the others on this list so far, is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It has a global presence with operations in Africa and Middle East, North and South America, as well as Asia and Pacific—in addition to its presence in other parts of Europe.

You can do your savings, everyday banking, wealth management, international money transfers, etc. 

Royal Bank of Scotland

You can operate different bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, savings, loans, insurance, and digital banking. It’s another great option for personal banking.

It has 700 branches across Scotland, England, and Wales. RBS was founded in 1727 and has its headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is also the largest commercial bank in the UK. 

NatWest

NatWest has its headquarters in London, England, and was founded in 1968. It is in more than 30 countries and serves over 20 million customers.

Current accounts, overdrafts, credit cards, insurances, savings and investing, and loans, are some of the services you can enjoy with NatWest. You can also use the online banking or mobile app services to enjoy more convenience. 

Standard Chartered

It’s in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It offers a lot of private banking and international banking services.

This bank was founded in 1853 and you’ll find its headquarters in London, England. By popular choice, it is easily one of the best banks in the UK. 

Halifax

Halifax was also founded in 1853 and is owned by Lloyds Banking Group. You can get both current and savings accounts here, loans, insurance and credit cards. The headquarters is in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Monzo

This is an online bank and is headquartered in London, England. It was founded in 2015, and as an app-based bank, doesn’t go the traditional way of banking. You can get a current account, business account, or joint account with Monzo. Currently, it serves over 12 million users. 

Nationwide Building Society

Founded in 1884,  the world’s largest building society and so had to make this list.

Nationwide operates just for its members, and even though it’s not necessarily a regular bank, its members can get current and savings accounts, mortgages, loans, credit cards, and so on. There are also accounts for teenagers and students. It has its headquarters in Swindon, England. 

Conclusion

All these banks listed above are great for your different banking needs. So now, you have to check them out one after the other to know which one you prefer.

Additionally, you should check out the fees, charges, customer service, ATM availability across the country, and any other box your bank needs to tick. 

You can also use OhentPay to do even more with your finances in the UK—whether for personal or business needs. It’s fast, easy, convenient, and cost-effective.