Guide to sending large payments with Cater Allen for UK businesses, including transfer limits

A core banking need for many UK businesses is the ability to send large payments. The right business bank account should be able to make these processes secure, timely, auditable and cost-efficient.

Cater Allen Private Bank is a UK-based banking provider that offers business accounts for professionals, SMEs and other entities including trusts and charities. As part of the Santander Group,¹ Cater Allen combines traditional private banking with business account services including multi-currency capabilities and online payment facilities.

In this helpful guide, we’ll look at how large payments work with Cater Allen, including its payment types, processing times, fees and security controls.

Plus, we’ll explore when businesses may need a specialist provider like Wise Business alongside their main business bank account.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Can you use Cater Allen Business UK for large transfers?

Yes, Cater Allen Business accounts can be used for large GBP transfers within the UK and international payments in multiple currencies. Where its capabilities may fall short is that its services are more traditional and may not offer the same mobile-first experience as other banks.

However, for businesses that want simple multi-currency accounts and don’t mind a conventional online platform, Cater Allen can be a reliable option.

How Cater Allen Business UK large transfers are handled

Cater Allen supports a variety of payment options depending on the transaction type and destination. This includes:

1. Faster Payments: These are used for most UK business transfers. They settle quickly, usually within two hours,² and are suitable for routine domestic payments as well as high-value sterling transfers.

2. CHAPS: For very large or urgent sterling payments, Cater Allen processes transfers through CHAPS, the UK’s same-day, high-value payment system.² This is often used for property settlements and large supplier payments. However, CHAPS payments are generally irreversible once settled so careful verification of beneficiary details is key.

3. International payments: Cater Allen also supports international payments, typically via SWIFT.² This means businesses are able to send money overseas in multiple currencies, although intermediary banks may affect delivery times and fees. International transfers may also require additional verification steps compared with digital-first banks, especially for high-value or unusual payments.

Is Cater Allen Business UK safe for large payments?

Yes, Cater Allen is safe for sending large business payments.

Cater Allen Private Bank is regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and, as part of the banking sector, eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FCSC).¹

The bank also uses various internal security measures such as:

• Secure online banking access
• Verification procedures for payment authorisation
• Monitoring of unusual account activity.

However, it’s also important to take steps within your organisation to keep payments secure. For example, ensuring that you double-check beneficiary details and maintain your own internal controls when sending large transfers.

How to make a large payment with Cater Allen Business UK

There are two main ways to make a large payment with Cater Allen. Payments can either be set up online via the banking portal, or by speaking with a representative from the bank on the phone.

Here’s how to do it online, in a few simple steps:

1. Log in to Cater Allen Business Online Banking
2. Navigate to the payment section
3. Enter the beneficiary details (recipient name, sort code/IBAN, account number, reference and any other required information)
4. Select the currency and transfer amount
5. Check all the details carefully, before confirming and authorising the payment.

For international transfers, SWIFT/BIC codes and beneficiary bank details may be required, and phone authorisation may sometimes be necessary.

Cater Allen Business UK large transfer times

As with other UK banks, payment processing times with Cater Allen depend on the payment type, and when the payment was made (in relation to cut off times):

What are the Cater Allen Business UK transfer limits?

You can make payments online, by post or by calling Cater Allen Business up to the maximum daily limits below:⁴

If you need to make a Cater Allen Business UK large payment that goes over these thresholds, you can either get in touch with Cater Allen or schedule payments spread out over subsequent days.

What are the Cater Allen Business UK large transfer fees?

Before initiating any transaction, in the UK or overseas, it’s important to know any fees or charges associated with it to help you better prepare.

Let’s take a look at what Cater Allen Private Bank UK charges for large transfers:⁵

While Cater Allen Business allows you to hold multiple currencies, you should take proactive steps for every high-value international transfer. This includes:

• Always checking FX rates and fees before sending
• Ensuring the currency account has sufficient funds
• Verifying beneficiary details and allowing extra processing time
• Considering scheduling payments in advance to meet business deadlines.

When Cater Allen Business UK might not be suitable

Cater Allen Business UK offers a secure and traditional business banking platform with multi-currency capabilities. But it may not be ideal if your business:

• Prefers a mobile-first digital experience
• Needs fully transparent FX rates for frequent international transfers
• Requires instant international transfers or one-click multi-currency management
• Wants minimal approval steps for large payments.

In these events, pairing Cater Allen with a specialist provider could enable better efficiency for international banking operations.

Cater Allen Business UK alternative: use Wise Business for large and international transfers

Pairing Cater Allen with Wise Business provides a modern and cost-efficient solution if you’re handling frequent international transactions but want to retain the stability and control of a traditional bank.

This is because Wise Business provides:

• High transfer limits for large payments
• Transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates
• Faster cross-border transfers without multiple intermediaries
• Multi-currency account management in one place.

Wise Business also has a dedicated secure service for sending large payments. Transfer limits depend on what currency is being sent, here's a few of the most popular:

• GBP - £20 million GBP per transfer
• EUR - €20 million EUR per transfer
• USD - $20 million USD when paying from your USD account, $1.6 million per SWIFT transfer.

It’s also worth knowing that Wise offers discounts for sending large amounts over £20,000 (or the currency equivalent). The more you send, the more you save.

So, if you’re looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to send large transfers, especially internationally, you can sign up for a Wise Business account online in minutes.

Register with Wise Business🚀

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.

*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.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 29-Jan-2026