For most founders, opening a business account is one of the first admin tasks on the list but for many, it’s also the first real obstacle. Long forms, delayed approvals, unclear limits, confusing fees. By the time you’re sending your first invoice, your bank is already slowing you down.
At Ampere, we built a tool that helps UK businesses move faster, with fewer steps between doing the work and getting paid.
In 2022, we launched our first version - a business account that could be opened online in minutes. Since then, more than 8,000 companies have joined. From sole traders to tech startups, from design studios to logistics firms, all running on the same simple promise: your bank should make sense.
What we’ve built so far
Over the last three years, we’ve focused on the parts of business banking that typically cause gaps: onboarding, payments, access to bank account, foreign exchange, and compliance requests. Every feature was shaped directly by user feedback: from merchants delayed in payout loops to accountants asking for better visibility.
Today, Ampere accounts include:
- Instant setup for UK-registered companies
- Bank accounts in GBP, EUR, USD, CFH
- Premium Business MasterCard
- FX with the low rate 0.35% - 0.55%
- Merchant Acquiring
- Open Banking
- Business Loans
- Automated Invoicing system
- Business Insurance
- Commercial Mortgages
Each feature was added because a customer asked for something that didn’t exist yet or didn’t work the way it should. One of our early users once emailed: “Love the design, but I still need to forward statements to my bookkeeper every month.” That message led directly to our view-only access roles.
Why this matters
Traditional business banking often treats SMEs as a smaller version of enterprise but small companies operate differently. They move faster, they adapt constantly, and they don’t have time to chase bank support or explain a failed payment to their team twice.
A recent internal review showed that businesses using role-based access and multi-currency accounts saved up to 41% of admin time on financial ops by removing delays and centralising tasks. The findings echoed what regional SME growth hubs have observed: smoother financial tools reduce operational drag.
Year 4 and beyond
The roadmap ahead is focused on what UK businesses need most in 2025:
- Faster FX routing with more currencies
- Better integration with invoicing and payroll tools
- Expanded support for EU-based subsidiaries
- Automation of compliance inputs to reduce verification delays
Ampere does not offer credit or lending products. Our focus remains on current accounts and payment infrastructure. We operate under strict UK compliance and continuously review FCA guidelines to ensure transparent, non-advisory communication.
Business banking should not feel like a legacy system patched for modern use. It should be native to the way modern businesses work. That means fewer forms, clearer rates, better control over funds and a real-time view of what’s happening.
If you’ve been part of the journey, thank you. If you’re new, we’re just getting started!
