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TSB Business Loans Review: How do they compare?

Clara Wenslow

Written By:

Clara Wenslow

Finance & Business Services Editor

Sarah Mitchell, ExpertSure author

Reviewed By:

Sarah Mitchell

B2B Commerce & Finance Reviewer

6 fact checks verified
Prices verified Mar 2026
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TSB offers fixed-rate business loans from £1,000 to £1,000,000 at a representative APR of 9.9% — the highest unsecured borrowing limit from any UK high-street bank. However, TSB charges a £250 arrangement fee, making it the only major bank to levy a setup cost. Here is our independent review for 2026.

Key Takeaways
  • Borrow up to £1 million unsecured - TSB offers the highest unsecured business loan limit among traditional high street banks
  • Fixed 9.9% representative APR - competitive rate applies to loans from £1,000 with no early repayment penalties
  • 7-year maximum term available - longer repayment periods help reduce monthly costs for larger business investments
  • Limited to existing TSB customers only - restricts access compared to competitors like Funding Circle who accept new applicants
  • Beats high street rivals on unsecured limits - offers 4x higher unsecured borrowing than most traditional banks

What Is TSB Business Loans?

TSB offers two business loan products: a Fixed Rate Loan (up to £1,000,000 with terms up to 10 years) and a Base Rate Loan (from £25,001 with variable rate and terms up to 25 years).

TSB positions itself as a challenger bank focused on simplicity. Spun out of Lloyds Banking Group in 2013, TSB was acquired by Spanish bank Sabadell in 2015. In July 2025, Santander agreed to acquire TSB from Sabadell for £2.65 billion — a deal expected to complete in early 2026. TSB continues to operate under its own brand and accept new business loan applications while the integration is pending.

The standout figure is the £1,000,000 fixed-rate loan limit — significantly higher than any other high-street bank. NatWest caps unsecured at £100,000, while HSBC and Barclays stop at £25,000. The trade-off is the £250 arrangement fee that competitors do not charge.

TSB Business Loans: Pros and Cons

TSB offers the highest fixed-rate borrowing limit of any UK high-street bank at £1,000,000, but the £250 arrangement fee and requirement for a TSB account reduce its appeal for smaller loans.

What we like
Up to £1,000,000 on fixed rate — highest limit from any high-street bank
9.9% representative APR — competitive mid-range rate
Variable rate loans up to 25 years with no upper limit
FCA regulated with full consumer protections
Trustpilot 4.1/5 (27,563 reviews) — strong overall bank rating
Watch out for
£250 arrangement fee — the only major bank to charge one
TSB business current account usually required
Higher APR than HSBC (7.1%) and Santander (7.9%)
Smaller branch network than Big Four banks

What Business Loan Products Does TSB Offer?

TSB has two products: a Fixed Rate Loan for predictable repayments up to £1 million, and a Base Rate Loan linked to the Bank of England rate for flexible longer-term borrowing.

ProductAmountTermRateKey Feature
Fixed Rate Loan£1,000 – £1,000,0001–10 years9.9% representative APRHighest fixed-rate limit from any bank
Base Rate LoanFrom £25,001 (no upper limit)Up to 25 yearsBoE base rate linkedVariable rate, long-term flexibility

The Fixed Rate Loan is TSB’s core product. The representative APR of 9.9% applies to a worked example of £13,000 over 60 months (annual interest rate 9.06%). Fixed-rate repayments provide certainty for cash flow planning — your monthly amount never changes regardless of Bank of England rate movements.

The Base Rate Loan suits businesses that want longer repayment terms (up to 25 years) and are comfortable with rate fluctuations. With no stated upper limit, this product can accommodate significant borrowing for established businesses. However, rates are linked to the BoE base rate, meaning repayments will rise if the base rate increases.

TSB Business Loan Rates and Fees

TSB charges a representative APR of 9.9% and a £250 arrangement fee on the Fixed Rate Loan. This is the only major UK bank that charges an upfront fee on business loans.

9.9%
Representative APR (fixed)
£250
Arrangement fee
9.06%
Annual interest rate (example)
£1M
Maximum fixed-rate loan

The £250 arrangement fee is payable upfront and applies regardless of loan size. For a £5,000 loan, this adds 5% to the cost; for a £100,000 loan, it is just 0.25%. This means TSB becomes more cost-effective at higher borrowing amounts. For small loans under £10,000, the fee disproportionately increases the total cost compared to fee-free alternatives like HSBC or Barclays.

For a full cost breakdown across lenders, see our business loan costs and rates guide.

TSB vs Alternative Business Lenders

TSB’s £1 million fixed-rate limit is unmatched by other high-street banks, making it the go-to for large fixed-rate borrowing. For smaller loans, fee-free alternatives are cheaper.

LenderRepresentative APRMax Fixed-RateArrangement Fee
TSB9.9%£1,000,000£250
HSBC7.1%£25,000£0
Barclays11.2%£25,000£0
NatWest12.24%£100,000£0
Funding CircleFrom 6.9%£750,000Completion fee

TSB’s £1 million fixed-rate limit makes it uniquely attractive for businesses borrowing £100,000+ at a fixed rate from a bank. No other high-street lender comes close — NatWest caps at £100,000 unsecured, and the others at £25,000. Funding Circle offers up to £750,000 at potentially lower rates, but as an online lender rather than a bank.

For smaller loans (£25,000 or below), the £250 arrangement fee tips the balance toward fee-free competitors. See our best business loans guide for the full comparison.

Good to Know

Use our free Loan Repayment Calculator to get a personalised cost estimate based on your specific requirements.

Our Verdict on TSB Business Loans

6.5
/ 10
TSB
Best for: Established businesses needing larger secured loans up to £1 million
Price: 9.9% representative APR, £250 arrangement fee
✓ Up to £1,000,000 borrowing limit - the highest unsecured cap in the high-street bank sector ✓ Fixed interest rates provide predictable monthly payments for budget planning ✓ Wide branch network across Scotland and England ✓ Growth Guarantee Scheme support available for eligible businesses ✗ £250 arrangement fee - the only major high-street bank to charge a setup cost ✗ 9.9% representative APR - above HSBC (7.1%) and Santander (7.9%) ✗ Narrower business banking product range than Barclays or HSBC ✗ Application process more manual compared to fintech alternatives
Our Verdict

Unmatched £1M fixed-rate limit from a high-street bank, but the £250 arrangement fee and account requirement make it less competitive for smaller loans.

Our Rating6.5/10
Rates & Cost30%
6.5
Flexibility20%
7.0
Speed20%
6.0
Customer Support15%
7.0
Expert Score10%
6.5
User Sentiment5%
6.0

TSB is the best high-street bank option for large fixed-rate business loans up to £1 million, but the £250 arrangement fee makes it less competitive for smaller borrowing.

Important: Santander’s acquisition of TSB (announced July 2025) may affect product availability and branding. Santander has previously absorbed Abbey National, Bradford & Bingley, and Alliance & Leicester — all eventually rebranded. If you take out a TSB business loan today, the loan terms are legally binding and will not change, but your account may eventually migrate to Santander’s platform.

TSB occupies a clear niche: businesses needing £100,000+ at a fixed rate from a regulated high-street bank. The £1 million cap is unmatched, the 9.9% APR is competitive at that scale, and the £250 fee becomes negligible on larger amounts.

For loans under £25,000, there is no compelling reason to choose TSB over fee-free alternatives. HSBC at 7.1% APR, Santander at 7.9% with 12 months interest-free, or Barclays with zero early repayment fees all offer better value at smaller amounts.

Clara Wenslow

Clara Wenslow

Finance & Business Services Editor

Clara analyses SME finance and procurement markets, covering business loans, invoice finance, payroll, and related B2B services. She ensures each comparison and guide is transparent and data-driven.

Sarah Mitchell

Reviewed by

Sarah Mitchell

B2B Commerce & Finance Reviewer

FAQs

What is the maximum TSB business loan amount?

TSB offers fixed-rate business loans up to £1,000,000 — the highest limit from any UK high-street bank. The Base Rate Loan has no stated upper limit for variable-rate borrowing.

Does TSB charge an arrangement fee on business loans?

Yes. TSB charges a £250 arrangement fee on its Fixed Rate Loan. This is the only major UK bank to charge a setup fee — HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, and Santander all have zero arrangement fees.

What is the interest rate on a TSB business loan?

The representative APR is 9.9% on the Fixed Rate Loan. The worked example is 9.94% APR on £13,000 over 60 months, with an annual interest rate of 9.06%.

Do I need a TSB account to get a business loan?

A TSB business current account is usually required. If you do not already bank with TSB, you may need to open one before your loan application can proceed.

Is TSB good for large business loans?

Yes. TSBs £1 million fixed-rate limit is unmatched by other high-street banks. For businesses borrowing £100,000+ at a fixed rate, TSB is the strongest option from a traditional bank. The £250 fee becomes negligible at larger amounts.