Tide glossary

Definitions of key terms used in Tide business banking, the REFER200 referral offer and UK financial regulation. This glossary supports entity clarity and helps users understand the terminology used across this site.

Tide referral code: A code that can be entered during an eligible Tide business account sign-up journey to unlock a promotional reward. The current code promoted on this site is REFER200. Referral codes are issued by Tide and distributed by independent introducers. They are not the same as discount codes or voucher codes.
Tide promo code: Users often search for a 'Tide promo code', 'Tide voucher code' or 'Tide discount code'. Tide does not issue traditional retail-style promo codes. The relevant promotional mechanism is the referral code programme. The current code is REFER200, which gives new customers up to £200 cashback rather than a percentage discount.
REFER200: REFER200 is the Tide referral code currently promoted on this independent site. It is valid for new eligible UK Tide business account applicants. Entering it at sign-up makes the applicant eligible for up to £200 cashback, subject to completing the qualifying conditions and Tide's terms and eligibility criteria. This site is an independent introducer and may receive a referral reward if you open an account using this code.
Tide business account: A UK business current account offered through the Tide platform. Tide is an FCA-authorised e-money institution. Business bank accounts on the Tide platform are issued by ClearBank, a UK-licensed clearing bank. The account is available to sole traders and limited companies. It is not a personal current account.
ClearBank: ClearBank is a UK-licensed clearing bank that issues the business bank accounts available through the Tide platform. Because ClearBank is a licensed bank (not an e-money institution), eligible deposits held in Tide business accounts issued by ClearBank are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per eligible person. ClearBank is separate from Tide and is regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme): The FSCS is the UK's statutory deposit protection scheme. It protects eligible deposits up to £85,000 per eligible person per authorised institution if that institution fails. Eligible deposits held in Tide business accounts issued by ClearBank are covered by the FSCS. Tide's own e-money accounts use safeguarding arrangements rather than FSCS protection. Users should check the current FSCS eligibility rules on the official FSCS website.
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority): The FCA is the UK's financial services regulator. It regulates the conduct of financial services firms, including e-money institutions and banks. Tide is FCA-authorised as an e-money institution. ClearBank is regulated by both the FCA and the PRA. FCA authorisation means a firm has met certain standards, but it does not guarantee that a product is suitable for every user.
Tide Instant Saver: Tide Instant Saver is a savings product available within the Tide platform. It is relevant to the REFER200 offer because one of the two qualifying conditions requires depositing £5,000 into Tide Instant Saver within 7 days of account opening and holding it there for 30 days. Users who do not deposit £5,000 can still earn the first reward (£75 for card spend) but will not qualify for the second reward (£125). The interest rate and terms of Tide Instant Saver are set by Tide and may change.
Card spend requirement: One of the two qualifying conditions for the REFER200 offer requires completing a minimum amount of qualifying card spend within a set time window after account opening. As of the last check, this is £100 of Tide card transactions within 30 days. Not all transaction types may count as qualifying spend. Users should check Tide's current terms for the exact definition of qualifying card spend.
Cashback: In the context of the REFER200 offer, cashback refers to a cash reward credited to a Tide account after the qualifying conditions have been met. It is not a guaranteed payment — it is subject to Tide's terms, eligibility criteria and account approval. Tide determines whether conditions have been met and when cashback is paid. This site does not pay cashback and cannot process cashback queries.
E-money institution: An e-money institution (EMI) is a type of FCA-authorised firm that can issue electronic money and provide payment services, but is not a licensed bank. Tide is an e-money institution. EMIs must safeguard customer funds by holding them in segregated accounts at authorised credit institutions, but this is different from FSCS bank deposit protection. Users holding large balances should understand this distinction.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding is the regulatory requirement for e-money institutions to hold customer funds in segregated accounts at authorised credit institutions. It is designed to protect customers if the EMI fails, but it is not the same as FSCS deposit protection. The practical difference is that FSCS protection is a statutory guarantee up to £85,000; safeguarding involves a process of returning funds from a segregated pool, which may take longer and involve more uncertainty in a failure scenario.
Independent introducer: An independent introducer is a third party that promotes a financial product and may receive a reward if a customer opens an account as a result. Tide Referral Guide is an independent introducer for Tide. This means we may receive a referral reward if you open a Tide account using our code. We are not affiliated with Tide, not authorised to give financial advice, and not responsible for account approval or cashback decisions.

About this glossary

This glossary is maintained by the Tide Referral Guide editorial team. Definitions are based on publicly available information from Tide, the FCA, the FSCS and other authoritative sources. If you believe a definition is inaccurate or out of date, please contact us.

This site is independent and not affiliated with Tide. Nothing on this site constitutes financial advice. See our disclaimer and editorial policy for full details.