UK’s best and worst banks revealed

Woman Using ATM for banking services — *Monzo has been crowned the best bank for retail and business banking*

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jump to category:

The winners
The losers
How to pick the best current account

Monzo, Starling and Nationwide Building Society have been revealed as the top banking providers by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Which bank you choose may depend on whether it has the best savings accounts, current account services or a switching incentive – but ultimately, most people will go with a bank that comes from a trusted friend. The CMA’s latest customer satisfaction survey ranked current account and business account providers from best to worst.

MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Karen Tiltman, general manager of UK Operations at Monzo, said: “Being named the UK’s Most Recommended Provider once again is an achievement we’re incredibly proud of – because it comes directly from our customers.”

Best UK banks – the winners

To find out the best and worst personal current account providers, market research firm Ipsos surveyed around 1,000 customers across the UK’s 17 biggest current account providers between January 2025 and December 2025.

Around 1,200 customers from each of the 17 biggest business bank account providers were also surveyed across the same period.

Best current account providers in Great Britain

1. Monzo

2. Starling

3. Nationwide

Best current account providers in Northern Ireland

1. Monzo

2. Nationwide

3. Starling

Best business account providers in Great Britain

1. Monzo

2. Mettle

3. Starling

Best business account providers in Northern Ireland

1. Santander

2. Danske Bank

3. Ulster Bank

Best UK banks – the losers

These are the providers ranked the worst across personal current accounts and business accounts.

Worst current account providers in Britain

1. The Royal Bank of Scotland (part of the NatWest Group)

2. Virgin Money

3. The Co-operative Bank

Worst current account providers in Northern Ireland

1. AIB

2. Bank of Ireland UK

3. Ulster Bank

Worst business account providers in Great Britain

1. Barclays

2. Bank of Scotland

3. The Co-operative Bank

Worst business account providers in Northern Ireland

1. Bank of Ireland UK

2. AIB

A Virgin Money spokesperson said its branch service score had improved in the latest Ipsos surveys, adding: “We are focused on continuing to invest in better experiences for our customers as we recognise there is still more to do.”

A Royal Bank of Scotland spokesperson said: “We continue to work hard to improve all aspects of our customer experience.”

A Barclays spokesperson said: “We remain focused on simplifying and improving the consistency of the service we provide and will keep working hard to enhance the experience our customers receive.”

An AIB spokesperson said: "We are grateful to our customers for taking the time to share their views, and we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience."

MoneyWeek asked the Bank of Ireland UK, Ulster Bank, Bank of Scotland and The Co-operative Bank to comment.

How to pick the best current account

Deciding what type of current account is best for you depends on what you want from it.

If you’re someone who uses their current account to cover the bulk of day-to-day spending, it might be worth signing up for one where you can earn cashback.

For those looking to save more, it could be worth signing up to a specific current account which gives you access to a linked high interest savings account.

Some current accounts offer lucrative switching bonuses as well.

Sam has a background in personal finance writing, having spent more than three years working on the money desk at The Sun.

He has a particular interest and experience covering the housing market, savings and policy.

Sam believes in making personal finance subjects accessible to all, so people can make better decisions with their money.

He studied Hispanic Studies at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 2015.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys reading, cooking, travelling and taking part in the occasional park run!