The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.
Bank account comparison table
Which is the best bank account for your charity?
Many banks offer special current accounts for voluntary organisations and charities, and most give free banking if the account is in credit.
Conditions and benefits vary, and can change over time, so check directly with the bank you're considering opening an account with. We have highlighted the main features of current accounts from institutions that have strong links to the voluntary sector, or who have a presence in Scotland in this bank account comparison table.
Bank of Scotland
Charity Account
(for charities, registered societies, religious organisations and places of worship if no more than £50,000 will get paid into this account every 12 months)
- Free online and day-to-day banking services when in credit
- Access to high street branch network
- Account management online or by phone
- Online banking with dual & triple authorisation
- Presentation cheques available
Community Account
(for not-for-profit clubs and associations, unregistered societies, school clubs and PTAs if no more than £250,000 will get paid into this account every 12 months)
- Monthly account fee £4.25
Charities Aid Foundation Bank
Specialising in charities and not-for-profit organisations with a charitable purpose.
CAF Cash Account
- Deposit cash at any Post Office, and RBS or HSBC.
- No minimum deposit required and no turnover limitations
- Account management online, by phone or by post
- UK-based call centre with specialist staff
- Online banking with dual authorisation
- Pays interest
- £5 monthly fee
Co-operative Bank
Gives registered charities, community interest companies, co-operatives and credit unions an ethical way to bank for free.
Community Directplus
- Free online and day-to-day banking services when in credit
- Access to high street branch network and at Post Office branches
- Account management online, by phone or by post
- Can apply for funding for up to £1,000 from the Customer Donation Fund
- Can have up to four signatories for the account
HSBC
Charitable Bank Account
(for charities and not-for-profit organisations with a charitable purpose)
- £5 monthly fee
- Authorise up to four individuals as signatories on the account
- For organisations with a turnover of £6.5m or less
- Support and guidance on running and financing your organisation
Lloyds Bank
Treasurer's Account
(for not-for-profit organisations with a turnover below £50,000)
- Free online and day-to-day banking services when in credit
- Access to high street branch network
- Account management online or by phone
- Online banking with dual authorisation
- Free presentation cheques to use when making a large donation or awarding a major prize
- No minimum deposit required
Reliance Bank
Part of The Salvation Army, all profits made by the Bank go to support its ongoing work.
Charity Current Account
(for charities with a turnover below £500,000)
- Access to high street branch network - RBS
- Account management online with dual authorisation
- Visa debit card
- £5 monthly fee
Royal Bank of Scotland
Community Account
(for clubs, charities, societies or other not-for-profit organisations with a turnover below £100,000)
- Free online and day-to-day banking services
- Access to high street branch network
- Account management online and by phone
- Access to free online accounting software
- At least one of the parties named in the application must be an existing RBS customer
Unity Trust Bank
Works with organisations to have a positive impact on society through economic, community and social change.
Business Current Account
- Account management online or by phone
- Online banking with single, dual or triple authorisation
- Minimum deposit required - £500
- Access to high street branch network - RBS
- Differing accounts depending on annual turnover
- Fees from £6 a month
Virgin Money
Charity Choice Account
(for registered charities, there is also a Clubs & Societies Current Account available)
- Access to high street branch network and at post office branches
- Free telephone, mobile and internet banking if annual turnover less than £1 million
- Cash back on debit card transactions
- Multiple charity savings accounts available
All information featured above collated by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. Information correct as of December 2023.
As well as providing practical information, we're also using our policy influence to make sure that the voluntary sector has access to the bank accounts and services we need. Find out more about the work we're doing on access to banking.
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