How a business account sign-up bonus works
A sign-up bonus can put real money in your new business bank account, but only if you meet every condition on time. This guide explains the main types of offer, the conditions you'll usually see, how long payment takes, and when a reward can be withheld or taken back.
What is a business bank account sign-up bonus?
A sign-up bonus is a reward a provider pays when a new customer opens an account and does certain things, such as spending on the card or paying in money. It is usually cash paid into your new account, though some providers offer free months on a paid plan or a higher savings rate instead.
The key point: the provider pays the sign-up bonus, under its own terms. A comparison site, a friend or a partner can tell you about an offer, but only the provider decides whether you qualify. That's why the terms matter more than the headline figure.
How we're paid: some providers pay us commission or a referral reward if you open an account through our links. This never changes the reward you get or the conditions you must meet. See our disclosure.
Promo codes, referral codes and other incentives
Promo or partner codes
A code the provider gives to partners to share publicly. You enter it when you apply, or within a set time after. The reward goes to you.
Referral codes and links
An existing customer shares a personal code or link. Depending on the scheme, the reward may go to both of you or only to the person who referred you. Revolut's referral terms, for example, describe a one-sided reward paid only to the referrer.
Switching incentives
A reward for moving your banking across using the Current Account Switch Service. This might be a boosted savings rate rather than cash.
Free months
A free first month or trial on a paid plan. Monzo Business, for example, says your first month on Pro or Team is free. This saves a fee rather than paying you cash.
You can't usually stack these. Tide's general promotion terms, for instance, say a promotion "may not be used in conjunction with any other offer unless explicitly stated." So pick the sign-up bonus that fits how you'll really use the account.
Typical sign-up bonus conditions
Almost every sign-up bonus has conditions. These are the ones we see most often in providers' terms:
- New customers only
- Monzo says the person being referred must never have had a Monzo account. Tide's STARTUP200 offer is for new Tide members, with one reward per business.
- Card spending
- You must use the new card, sometimes with a minimum. Monzo's business referral needs a card payment of any amount, but ATM withdrawals, transfers and virtual card payments don't count.
- Qualifying spend
- Not all spending counts. Tide's general promotion terms exclude things like subscriptions and repeat purchases, fees, ATM withdrawals, tax payments, payments to government services and transfers.
- Deposits or balances
- You may need to pay in money, or hold a set amount for a set time, sometimes in a linked savings account.
- Deadlines
- Codes often have to be entered at sign-up or within days, and conditions met within 30 days or so. Miss one, and the sign-up bonus usually falls away.
- Keeping the account open
- The account normally needs to be open, active and in good standing when the reward is paid.
Read the provider's terms for the exact sign-up bonus wording. A condition such as "spend £100" can mean card purchases at eligible merchants only, counted by the date funds leave your account, as in Tide's terms.
How long payment takes
A sign-up bonus is rarely instant. Here's the usual sequence:
- 1
Apply and enter the code
Use the code or link at sign-up, or within the window the terms allow.
- 2
Get approved
The provider checks your identity and business. The sign-up bonus clock often starts when your account opens.
- 3
Meet the conditions
Make the card payments, deposits or balance holds within the deadline.
- 4
Validation and payment
The provider checks you qualify, then pays. This can take weeks.
Payment times vary. Tide pays STARTUP200 rewards 6 to 8 weeks after you qualify*. *T&Cs apply Starling's referral terms say rewards are paid within 30 days of the conditions being met. Monzo's terms don't give a time, and say the reward shows in the app once the referral is complete. If a reward is late, check the terms first, then contact the provider. Our guide to Tide cashback not received shows what to check.
When rewards are withheld or reversed
Providers keep the right to refuse a sign-up bonus, or take a sign-up bonus back after paying it. Common reasons in the terms we read:
- Refunds and disputes: Tide can act if a qualifying transaction is reversed, refunded or disputed.
- Account closed or suspended: Tide says cashback is forfeited if the account is closed or suspended before payment. Revolut's referral terms reverse the reward if the referred business closes within 14 days.
- Fraud, abuse or breach of terms: Monzo's referral terms say Monzo can refuse to pay, or reverse a payment, if it suspects fraud or a breach of its terms. Tide's terms cover fraud or "material abuse" of a promotion.
- Errors: Tide's terms also allow corrections for technical or calculation errors.
The practical lesson: to keep a sign-up bonus, make genuine purchases, don't refund qualifying spend straight away, and keep the account open until the reward has landed.
Business bank account offers we checked
These are the offers shown on providers' own pages and terms when we checked. Offers change, so read the current terms before you apply.
| Provider | Offer | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tide | Promo code STARTUP200, up to £200 | New Tide members get £75 after spending £100 on the Tide card within 30 days, plus £125 for paying £5,000 into a Tide Instant Saver within 7 days of opening and keeping it there for 30 days*. *T&Cs apply |
| Mettle | Refer a Business, £50 | Use an existing Mettle customer's code, entered in the app via "Redeem a code" within 30 days, and make one card payment |
| Monzo Business | Business referral, £50 | Use an existing customer's link, never have had a Monzo account, and within 30 days add money and make a card payment |
| Starling | No sign-up offer found | Starling runs a refer a friend scheme for business customers, with conditions shown in the app |
| Zempler | No sign-up offer found | None found on its business pricing, account or switching pages |
Mettle's terms say referral codes must not be published, so if you have a friend who uses Mettle or Monzo, ask them for their code or link. Our business bank account comparison shows the current sign-up offers side by side.
New to Tide? Code STARTUP200 can earn up to £200 cashback: £75 after £100 card spend in 30 days, plus £125 for holding £5,000 in an Instant Saver for 30 days*. *T&Cs apply
Open a Tide accountTide is our featured partner. We may earn commission from referrals. Disclosure
Tax on rewards
Do you pay tax on a sign-up bonus? We can't give tax advice, and the answer may depend on your business. Tide's promotion terms say you are "solely responsible for any tax related payments and submissions arising from any Reward payments" and suggest independent tax advice. Ask your accountant how to record a sign-up bonus in your books.
Checklist before you apply
- Is the account right for your business without the sign-up bonus? Check fees, eligibility and features first.
- Have you read the full terms, not just the headline?
- Do you know where and when to enter the code?
- Can you meet the spend or deposit conditions with normal business activity?
- Have you noted every deadline in your calendar?
- Are you sure you're a new customer under the provider's definition?
- Will you keep the account open until the reward is paid?
- Do you know when payment is due, so you can chase it if it's late?
A sign-up bonus is a nice extra, not a reason to choose the wrong account. Start by looking at what you need, then compare business bank accounts and see which ones also have a sign-up bonus.
Sign-up bonus FAQs
Who pays a sign-up bonus?
The provider pays it under its own terms. Comparison sites and referrers don't pay it and can't decide whether you qualify.
What's the difference between a promo code and a referral code?
A promo code is shared publicly by the provider or its partners. A referral code belongs to an existing customer and may reward them, you, or both.
Can I use two offers on the same account?
Usually not. Many terms, including Tide's, say a promotion can't be combined with other offers unless stated.
Why hasn't my sign-up bonus arrived?
Check you met every condition within the deadline, then check the stated payment time. If it's overdue, contact the provider with your dates.
Can a provider take a sign-up bonus back?
Yes. Terms often allow it for refunded spend, closed accounts, fraud or errors.
Sources
- Tide: STARTUP200 promotional offer terms and Tide: general promotion terms
- Monzo: business referral scheme terms (version 2.0, 13 August 2026) and plans and pricing
- Mettle: Refer a Business terms (PDF)
- Starling: referral terms (effective 24 August 2026)
- Revolut: referral terms
- Zempler: our research of its business pricing, account and switching pages
- All sources checked 25 October 2026.