If your business has built up surplus cash, leaving it to sit in a standard business current account might not be the most effective use of your money.

Of course, it’s important to keep enough cash on hand for day-to-day operations, but investing excess funds could help your business generate long-term growth or potentially earn higher returns than cash alone.

This guide compares some of the best business investment accounts currently available in the UK, looking at fees, features and who each provider is best suited for. It’ll also explore what to look for when choosing an account, as well as alternatives for businesses that would prefer to keep their money accessible - while still earning a return, such as Wise Business Interest.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Tax treatment depends on individual business circumstances and may change. Capital is at risk when investing. If you are unsure which option is right for your entity, seek advice from a qualified financial advisor or corporate tax specialist.

7 best business investment accounts in the UK, a summary

Below is a quick comparison of some of the leading business investment accounts currently available in the UK:

*Sources correct as of the time of writing, 28/07/2026

What is a business investment account?

A business investment account allows an eligible corporate entity to invest money owned by the business rather than an individual director or shareholder. Unlike personal investment accounts, they’re opened in the name of a limited company or other eligible business entity.

Depending on the provider, businesses can invest in assets such as:

Shares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Investment trusts Bonds Mutual funds Cash funds and money market funds.

Shares
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Investment trusts
Bonds
Mutual funds
Cash funds and money market funds.

They’re a popular choice for businesses looking to put surplus cash to work after keeping enough back for operating expenses, bills and emergencies. But remember unlike standard business bank deposits, capital held in investments can fall and rise in value which means your business could receive less back than it originally invested.

Who should consider a business investment account?

Business investment accounts aren’t just for large organisations. They can work for small companies too. They may be particularly useful for:

Growing SMEs with surplus profits they don't plan to spend immediately Holding companies managing investments across multiple businesses Professional services firms with strong cash flow and low capital requirements Seasonal businesses wanting to invest cash during quieter periods Property companies holding profits between acquisitions Established family businesses planning for long-term growth.

Growing SMEs with surplus profits they don't plan to spend immediately
Holding companies managing investments across multiple businesses
Professional services firms with strong cash flow and low capital requirements
Seasonal businesses wanting to invest cash during quieter periods
Property companies holding profits between acquisitions
Established family businesses planning for long-term growth.

Investment accounts aren’t typically recommended if you think you’ll need the money back in the short-term. Businesses should ensure they have enough working capital before considering investments.

What should you look for in a business investment account?

Not all investment providers offer corporate accounts and those that do vary. Here are some of the most important factors to consider before choosing one:

Investment options: some platforms specialise in low-cost ETFs while others other thousands of funds, shares, bonds and investment trusts. Consider whether you want to build your own portfolio or invest in read-made funds.
Fees: common charges include platform fees, dealing commissions, custody charges and foreign exchange fees. Even the smallest charges can mount up and make a big difference to long-term investment returns.
Minimum investment: some providers have no minimum investment while others require businesses to invest several thousand pounds to open an account.
Business account eligibility: check that the provider accepts your type of business. Some only support UK limited companies, while others accept partnerships, charities and trusts.
Reporting and administration: business investors often need detailed statements for accountants, year-end reporting and corporate tax returns and calculations. Choosing an account with good reporting tools can save you lots of time.
Customer support: having access to knowledgeable support can be particularly valuable when opening corporate accounts or managing large investment portfolios.
International investing: If your business wants global diversification, consider what overseas markets, currencies and international funds are available in the account you choose.

An alternative to investing

A traditional business investment account isn’t the right solution for every company. If your business needs to keep cash accessible while still aiming for a variable return, Wise Assets may be worth considering. Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed

Unlike investment platforms designed for building long-term portfolios, these products are intended to help businesses make better use of cash that might otherwise sit in a current account.

Wise Business Interest

Wise Business Interest from Wise Assets allows eligible businesses to earn a variable return on eligible cash balances by holding money in qualifying interest-earning assets.

Depending on the currency you hold, your money is invested in low-risk assets such as government-backed securities or held with partner banks, helping your cash work harder while remaining accessible.

Some of the benefits include:

A variable return on eligible GBP, EUR and USD balances, making your money work harder.
As of 24/06/2026, variable return rates are as follows: 3.25% on GBP (after 0.55% annual fee), 1.98% on EUR (after 0.26% annual fee) and 3.39% on USD (after 0.28% annual fee) (capital at risk, growth not guaranteed and taxes may apply)
No long-term commitment
Access to your money when you need it
Simple management from your Wise Business account

But remember because returns are variable rather than fixed, they can rise or fall over time.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Wise Interest disclaimer: Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative. Taxes may apply. 3.32% variable rate on GBP is based on 7 day performance as of 05 Aug 2026. For full 5-year past performance and fund information, visit https://wise.com/interest. Investments are offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd. (FRN 839689)

Best business investment accounts UK

We’ll go into more detail into some of the top providers businesses can choose from.

Interactive Investor¹

Interactive Investor is one of the UK’s largest investment platforms and offers corporate investment accounts for eligible businesses. Unlike many competitors, it charges a fixed monthly platform fee instead of a percentage of assets, meaning it’s attractive for businesses investing larger sums.

Key features include:

Fixed monthly platform pricing
Access to UK and overseas markets
Thousands of funds and ETFs
Regular investing options
Comprehensive portfolio reporting
Extensive investment research and market insights.

AJ Bell²

Another popular investment platform that accepts eligible corporate clients is AJ Bell. Businesses can invest in:

Shares
ETFs
Funds
Investment trusts
Bonds
Gilts.

The platform also has a wide range of research tools and educational resources, making it a great choice for those businesses that want to manage their own investment strategy.

Fidelity International³

Fidelity is one of the world’s largest investment managers. Rather than focusing on frequent share dealing, the platform is favoured by long-term investors who prefer professionally managed funds and straightforward investing.

Features include:

Thousands of investment funds
ETFs and UK shares
Regular investment options
Investment screening tools
Portfolio tracking
Educational resources.

InvestEngine⁴

InvestEngine takes a different approach to investments, focusing solely on ETFs. This makes it particularly attractive for businesses that want a straightforward and long-term portfolio rather than a wide range of investment options.

Key features include:

Commission-free ETF investing
Hundreds of ETFs
Low platform fees
Automated portfolio options
Fractional investing
Simple online platform.

Tide Investment Account⁵

Unlike traditional investment platforms, Tide’s investment account is specifically designed to help UK businesses invest surplus company cash through a simple, managed solution.

It’s available to eligible sole traders and limited companies and offers two ready-made Vanguard portfolios, rather than businesses having to select individual investments themselves.

There’s a Balanced Fund, which combines global equities and bonds. Then there’s a Growth Fund which invests in global equities for higher long-term growth potential.

The account is fully integrated with the Tide Business Account, meaning it’s easy to move money between everyday banking and investments.

Other key features include:

Platform fees from 0.3% per year, depending on your Tide membership
No set-up or exit fees
Integration with the Tide Business app.

IG Corporate Account⁶

IG also offers dedicated corporate accounts, allowing businesses to invest and trade through a company structure rather than a personal account. Retail corporate accounts and institutional solutions are available, depending on the size and complexity of your business.

Accepted businesses can access thousands of global markets through a single platform making it a great choice for those experienced investors who want greater control over investments. Alongside shares and ETFs, the platform has a range of other financial markets for businesses.

Key features include:

Dedicated corporate accounts for eligible businesses
Access to thousands of global markets
UK and international shares and ETFs
Advanced trading and research tools
Multi-market investing through a single platform
Dedicated support for corporate clients.

eToro Corporate Account⁷

Another option is eToro, which offers corporate accounts allowing businesses to invest through a company structure. However, it’s important to note that separate eligibility requirements and onboarding processes are in place compared to its standard accounts.

Through eToro, businesses can access various investment types such as shares, ETFs and other asset classes via an easy-to-use platform. This makes it a suitable option for those looking to build and manage their own investment portfolio without using a traditional wealth manager.

Key features include:

Corporate accounts for eligible businesses
Access to shares, ETFs and multiple asset classes
Easy-to-use online platform
Virtual portfolio for testing investment strategies
Suitable for self-directed investing.

How to choose the right business investment account

The best business investment account depends on how your company plans to use it. For example, if you’re investing in a large portfolio, you may want to choose a provider with fixed platforms fees as this could offer better value than choosing one that charges a percentage of your assets.

Similarly, if you want to mainly invest in ETFs, a specialist provider may offer lower costs compared to a traditional investment platform. If you need access to global markets, consider looking for platforms that offer international shares and multi-currency investment.

And, if you value investment research, providers with market commentary and fund analysis may be worth paying slightly higher fees for.

It’s also important to consider how often your business expects to invest. Those making regular purchases of shares or funds may benefit from lower dealing commissions, while long-term investors may want to prioritise platform charges and reporting tools.

Remember to fully understand the level of investment risk. Investments can fluctuate in value and businesses should ensure they retain enough accessible cash to cover operating costs, unexpected expenses and future growth plans before investing surplus funds.

Weigh up between a business investment account or cash management solution

Before you decide where to place surplus business funds, consider when you might need the money.

A traditional investment account may be appropriate if:

You're investing for five years or longer Your business can tolerate short-term market fluctuations You're aiming for long-term capital growth You want access to a broad range of investments such as shares, ETFs and funds.

You're investing for five years or longer
Your business can tolerate short-term market fluctuations
You're aiming for long-term capital growth
You want access to a broad range of investments such as shares, ETFs and funds.

Alternatively, a cash management solution such as Wise Interest which allows eligible business users to hold cash balances in qualifying money market funds may be more suitable if:

You want to keep funds relatively accessible You're managing working capital or short-term reserves You're looking for a lower-risk alternative to stock market investing You already use Wise Business for international payments and treasury management.

You want to keep funds relatively accessible
You're managing working capital or short-term reserves
You're looking for a lower-risk alternative to stock market investing
You already use Wise Business for international payments and treasury management.

Ultimately, the best business investment account for your company depends on your investment goals, the amount you plan to invest and how involved you want to be in managing your portfolio.

That said, many businesses use a combination of both investment accounts and cash management solutions - keeping operational cash readily available while investing longer-term surplus capital separately.

Manage business payments and grow globally the smart way, with Wise Business

In addition to making your businesses’ money work harder with Wise Business Interest (capital at risk, growth not guaranteed), there are lots of other reasons why Wise Business is used by a growing number of freelancers, startups and established companies in the UK.

If you need to pay or get paid in foreign currencies, the Wise Business account lets you manage multiple currencies seamlessly. It's also a powerful tool for managing your everyday business ingoings, outgoings and expenses, whilst syncing with accounting software.

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

Get started with Wise Business

Here's everything you need to know. With Wise Business, you can:

🌍 Send money to 70+ countries and pay overseas invoices at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation. See full cashback terms and conditions
🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
📈 Earn variable returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative.)
🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

FAQs

Can a limited company open an investment account?

Yes. Most major UK brokers offer corporate or business investment accounts for limited companies depending on eligibility criteria being met.

Can a business invest in shares?

Yes. Businesses can invest in UK and international shares, ETFs, investment funds, investment trusts and bonds using a corporate investment account.

Are business investment accounts different from personal accounts?

Yes. Business investment accounts are opened in the company's name and may have different application processes, documentation requirements and fee structures.

Is investing business cash risk-free?

No. The value of investments can go down as well as up, meaning your business could receive back less than it originally invested.

What if my business needs access to its cash?

If you'll need access to your money in the short term, a traditional investment account may not be appropriate. Cash management products such as Wise Interest may offer an alternative.

Sources used:

Interactive Investor - Company Account
AJ Bell - Company Account
Fidelity - Investment Accounts
InvestEngine - Business Accounts
Tide - Business Investment Account
IG - Corporate Account
eToro - Corporate Accounts

Sources last checked: 28-Jul-2026

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.