Shawbrook Bank unveils new business savings accounts as it announces launch of its revamped SME savings proposition

Shawbrook Bank, Business Savings Easy Access, digital service, SME savings, Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Shawbrook Bank has announced the launch of a new Business Savings Easy Access account as it begins the roll‐out of its enhanced SME savings proposition.

Business customers will now have a wider range of savings products to choose from and new applications will benefit from an improved rate on Shawbrook’s existing 100-day notice account. This revamped product offering has also been supported by the roll‐out of a new digitized service to help SMEs manage their money.

The new Business Easy Access account offers an interest rate of 1.05% and Shawbrook has also increased the rates on its existing 100‐day notice account to 1.51%.

The expansion of its savings portfolio follows new research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), conducted on behalf of Shawbrook Bank, which found SMEs are choosing to keep their cash close at hand rather than depositing it into accounts for the longer-term.

Of more than £300 billion that SMEs currently hold in cash, 57% sit in current accounts[1]. Further still, 50% of UK SMEs[2] expect the value of cash held in instant-access accounts to increase in the next 12 months, compared to 48% for fixed-term accounts and 45% for notice accounts.

However, the study also reveals that on average businesses only require ‘ready-access’ to 31% of their cash reserves, which suggests savings deposits could be increased to maximize interest returns.

Shawbrook’s new and improved customer journey will also make it easier for businesses to manage their money on a regular basis. For the first time all aspects of business customers’ account

and servicing needs will be digitalized, although SMEs will still have access to other support

and contact options³.

As with Shawbrook’s current savings products, each new account will have a Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection of up to £85,000 for businesses⁴.

For the new Business Easy Access account, the minimum deposit to open an account will be £1,000 and the maximum balance on each account will be £1million. They will be made available to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies based in the UK.