Arbuthnot Latham private banking guide for businesses

Founded in 1833 and still quietly getting on with it, Arbuthnot Latham is one of the UK's oldest private and commercial banks.¹ If your business has outgrown the high-street experience, and you want a dedicated banker who picks up the phone, it might be worth a closer look.

This guide covers everything from Arbuthnot Latham account types and eligibility to fees, services, and whether the offering stacks up for businesses that operate internationally. We'll also explain how Wise Business can complement or even replace parts of the private banking experience, especially if your company moves money across borders in multiple currencies or need to make large transfers efficiently.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Arbuthnot Latham private banking for business: a summary

What private bank accounts are available for businesses at Arbuthnot Latham?

Arbuthnot Latham's commercial banking arm offers several account types. Each serves a different purpose depending on how your business manages cash:²

Business current account

The business current account is the core offering. This is a standard transactional account with a Visa debit charge card, online banking access, and the ability to make domestic and international payments. It sits at the centre of your day-to-day operations.

Currency accounts

If your business deals in foreign currencies, Arbuthnot Latham offers accounts in USD, EUR, and other major currencies. These let you deposit, withdraw and send or receive payments without converting back to GBP each time.³ Handy for businesses with overseas suppliers or clients, though the range of currencies is limited compared to specialist multi-currency providers.

If your business regularly handles payments in 40+ currencies, a Wise Business account could work alongside or as an alternative currency account, with local account details in 8+ currencies.

Instant access savings account

A flexible savings account earning up to 1.26% AER on balances from £1.⁴ Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. There is no minimum balance, and you can withdraw at any time.

100-day notice account

A step up in interest, with rates from 2.84% to 3.04% AER depending on your balance.⁴ The trade-off is a 100-day notice period before you can access funds. The minimum balance is £50,000.⁴

Fixed term deposit accounts

Available in GBP, USD, and EUR, these lock your money away for a set period (typically one month to two years) in exchange for a fixed interest rate. GBP rates currently reach up to 3.35% gross for a 9- or 12-month term.⁴ You cannot access funds during the term.

Client monies accounts

For businesses that hold funds on behalf of clients, such as solicitors or accountants, Arbuthnot Latham offers dedicated client monies accounts at competitive rates.⁴ Contact the bank directly for details.

What are the features of Arbuthnot Latham business accounts?

Arbuthnot Latham business accounts are built around a more personalised banking experience, with a range of features designed to support businesses looking for tailored service and day-to-day account functionality.

Dedicated commercial banker

Every business client gets direct access to a named commercial banker and a support team.⁷ No call centres, no chatbots. This is the cornerstone of the Arbuthnot Latham proposition.

24/7 online banking

The online platform provides real-time balances, transaction history, and extensive payment capabilities including:⁷

• Same-day sterling faster payments
• Future-dated faster payments
• CHAPS payments
• International (SWIFT) payments
• Secure messaging with your banking support team

A three-tier security login helps reduce fraud, and new payees require authentication before any payment goes through.

Visa debit and charge cards

Business accounts come with a Visa debit charge card. Commercial charge cards are also available at £45 per year.¹⁰ Both can be used abroad, though a 2.75% currency conversion charge applies to foreign currency transactions.¹⁰

For businesses that spend internationally, the Wise Business debit card offers spending in 40+ currencies across 150+ countries, using the mid-market exchange rate*. It's also a great feature for domestic payments, from employee expense management and the ability to earn up to 0.5% cashback on eligible spending.

Foreign exchange services

Arbuthnot Latham provides FX services through its treasury desk, including:³

• Currency accounts in major currencies
• Weekly FX market commentary from dealers
• Expert exchange rate views for budgeting
• Foreign currency cash delivery via the Post Office (up to £5,000, next business day)

Current Account Switch Service

Switching to Arbuthnot Latham is supported by CASS, meaning eligible businesses can move from another provider in seven working days.⁷ This is available to commercial clients with fewer than 50 employees and a turnover under £6.5 million.⁷

What are the eligibility and minimum deposit requirements for Arbuthnot Latham business banking?

Arbuthnot Latham is not open to every business. The entry requirements are significant.

For commercial banking, your business must:²

• Be registered in the UK
• Have an annual turnover of at least £1,000,000¹¹
• Bring a minimum of £500,000 in deposits or £1,000,000 in borrowing

For private banking (personal), the threshold is at least £750,000 in deposits, investments, or borrowing.⁶

If your business does not meet these criteria, Arbuthnot Latham's onboarding form will redirect you to related services within the Arbuthnot Banking Group, such as Renaissance Asset Finance or Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending. The bank focuses on specific sectors including, real estate, construction, media, sports, technology, professional services, and general trading businesses. It also has specialist teams for solicitors, accountants, insolvency practitioners, and court of protection practitioners.⁷

For businesses that need a multi-currency account without the high entry barrier, opening a Wise Business account takes minutes and has no minimum deposit or turnover requirement.

What are the private banking fees for Arbuthnot Latham business accounts?

Here is a breakdown of the key charges, from their tariffs documentation last updated in February 2025:¹⁰

Account fees:

Transaction fees:¹⁰

Other charges¹⁰:

• Debit card transaction: £0.50
• Direct debit/standing order: £0.50
• Electronic payment received: £0.50 (plus correspondent fees if applicable)
• Cheque paid in: £0.50
• Cheque drawn on account: £1.00
• Cash paid in or out (per £100): £1.00
• Card currency conversion: 2.75%
• Arranged overdraft rate: Up to 25% p.a. (28.10% EAR)
• Unarranged overdraft rate: 25% p.a. (28.10% EAR)
• Refused payment (lack of funds): £50.00

It’s important to bear in mind that these fees add up. For example, a business making regular international payments could face significant costs between SWIFT charges, correspondent bank fees, and the 2.75% card conversion rate.

What services does Arbuthnot Latham offer for businesses?

Arbuthnot Latham positions itself as a full-service commercial bank. Beyond day-to-day banking, the offering includes:

Lending and finance⁵:

• Business loans and overdrafts
• Commercial mortgages and buy-to-let finance
• Real estate finance (residential investments, HMOs, private rented sector)
• Asset based lending (from £1 million, for MBOs, acquisitions, growth, and refinancing)
• Asset finance through Renaissance Asset Finance (from £25,000)
• UK media production loans
• Growth Guarantee Scheme (government-backed)

Foreign exchange and treasury³:

• Currency accounts for deposits, withdrawals, and payments
• FX dealer commentary and budgeting support
• Foreign currency cash delivery

Specialist sector teams⁷:

• Technology businesses
• Media and entertainment
• Construction
• Professional services (solicitors, accountants, insolvency practitioners)
• Court of protection practitioners
• Credit unions
• Sports

Wealth management⁶ (via private banking arm):

• Investment management
• Wealth planning
• Estate and succession planning
• Retirement planning

The bank has offices in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Exeter. Each office has a dedicated team of commercial bankers who can meet clients in person.¹¹

What are the benefits of private banking with Arbuthnot Latham as a business?

Private banking with Arbuthnot Latham can appeal to businesses that value a more tailored service model, particularly where flexibility, personal support, and relationship management matter. Here's the top benefits:

• Relationship-led service: with a 95% client satisfaction rate and a net promoter score of 69%, Arbuthnot Latham's relationship model clearly works for its clients.⁷ You get a named banker, direct phone access, and a team that understands your sector.
• Stability: nearly 200 years in business, a strong balance sheet, and prudent capital management.⁷ Arbuthnot Latham is not going anywhere.
• FSCS protection: eligible deposits are protected up to £120,000 per depositor under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.⁸ This applies across both Arbuthnot Latham and Arbuthnot Direct combined.
• Sector expertise: specialist teams for media, technology, construction, professional services, and more.⁷ Your banker is not learning your industry on the job.
• End-to-end solutions: from startup lending through to exit planning and wealth management, the bank covers the full business lifecycle.⁷ Private and commercial banking can sit under one roof, which simplifies things for business owners
• Switching support: CASS membership means eligible businesses can switch in seven working days with minimal disruption.⁷

That said, the high entry requirements (£500,000 in deposits or £1,000,000 in borrowing) and per-transaction fees mean this is not a fit for every business.² And for international payments, the SWIFT charges and 2.75% card conversion fee may be costly overtime.¹⁰

Discover Wise Business, an alternative to private banking

If your business is scaling fast, but does not meet Arbuthnot Latham's entry thresholds, or if you simply want a more cost-effective way to manage international payments,Wise Business is worth considering. Wise Business is built for companies that send, receive and manage money in multiple currencies. There is no minimum deposit, no minimum turnover, and you can open an account online for just £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essential plan).

With a Wise Business account, you can hold and convert 40+ currencies using the mid-market exchange rate*. TheWise Business debit card works in 150+ countries and 40+ currencies. Spend from balances you already hold and avoid the conversion charges that come with traditional bank cards, with the ability to earn up to 0.5% cashback on eligible spending.

For businesses receiving payments from overseas clients, Wise provides local account details in 8+ currencies. That means your clients can pay you as if you were a local, reducing delays and intermediary fees.

Wise Business also integrates with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks, and supports batch payments for payroll or supplier runs across multiple countries.

Whether you use it as your primary international account or alongside a traditional bank like Arbuthnot Latham, Wise Business gives you transparent pricing and global reach without the six-figure entry requirement.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Get started with Wise Business 🚀

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Investments can fluctuate, and your capital is at risk. Interest is offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise Payments Ltd. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you're uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

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*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

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Sources used:

1. Arbuthnot Latham - Homepage - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/
2. Arbuthnot Latham - Commercial Banking Services - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking/services
3. Arbuthnot Latham - Foreign Exchange - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking/foreign-exchange
4. Arbuthnot Latham - Commercial Deposits - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking/commercial-deposits
5. Arbuthnot Latham - Commercial Lending - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking/lending
6. Arbuthnot Latham - Wealth Planning - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/wealth-management/wealth-planning
7. Arbuthnot Latham - Commercial and Business Banking - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking
8. Arbuthnot Latham - FSCS - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/fscs
9. Arbuthnot Latham - Commercial Banking Rates - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking/rates
10. Arbuthnot Latham - Account Charges Schedule (PDF, 1 February 2025) - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/sites/default/files/documents/AL023-Account-Charges-Schedule-010225-v2.pdf
11. Arbuthnot Latham - Trading Businesses - https://www.arbuthnotlatham.co.uk/commercial-and-business-banking/trading-businesses

Sources last checked: 18th May 2026