Bank of Ireland UK vs Santander UK plc
Bank of Ireland UK has a blended long-term credit rating of A+ and Santander UK A+, the same grade. Bank of Ireland UK and Santander UK hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately. In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 55% of Santander UK's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; Bank of Ireland UK is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, Bank of Ireland UK received 1.89 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and Santander UK 2.36.
Bank of Ireland UK
Moody's, Fitch
Santander UK plc
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Rating History Comparison
Comparison Summary
| Metric | Bank of Ireland UK | Santander UK plc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Rating | A+ | A+ | Same grade |
| Normalized Score | 78 | 80 | -2 points |
| Agencies | Moody's, Fitch | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | Different |
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Same |
| Trend | NEW |
Different | |
| Investment Grade | Yes | Yes | Same |
Service record and deposit protection
| Measure | Bank of Ireland UK | Santander UK |
|---|---|---|
| Would recommend for overall service (CMA survey, Aug 2026, personal, GB) | not surveyed | 55% (rank 13= of 17) |
| Would recommend for online and mobile banking | not surveyed | 68% (rank 13 of 17) |
| Banking complaints per 1,000 accounts (FCA) | 1.89 (2026 H1, group figure) | 2.36 (2026 H1) |
| Complaints upheld by the bank | 39% | 47% |
| Major operational or security incidents reported to the FCA, last 12 months | 0 (to Jun 2026) | 33 (to Jun 2026) |
| Banking licence (FCA reference) | 512956 | 106054 |
Bank of Ireland UK and Santander UK hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Survey: CMA / Ipsos, share of each brand's own customers who would recommend it (full rankings). Complaints: FCA firm-level data for the licence holder (all banks). Incidents: figures each bank must publish under the FCA's BCOBS 7 rules (all banks). A service score is about experience, not financial strength.Frequently asked questions
Is Bank of Ireland UK or Santander UK financially stronger?
Bank of Ireland UK has a blended long-term credit rating of A+ and Santander UK A+, the same grade. A credit rating is an agency's opinion of a bank's ability to repay its debts, not a guarantee, and it says nothing about service.
Do Bank of Ireland UK and Santander UK share FSCS protection?
Bank of Ireland UK and Santander UK hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Which has better customer service, Bank of Ireland UK or Santander UK?
In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 55% of Santander UK's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; Bank of Ireland UK is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, Bank of Ireland UK received 1.89 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and Santander UK 2.36. A service score reflects customers' experience, not the bank's financial strength.
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