Best business bank account

[draelectricals]

Hello

Can you advise me as to the best business bank account in your opinion? Presently I use santander and whilst I have had no major problems I am looking to change, the reasons for this are:


No branch in my area - and others don't allow you to use the counter
can only pay in via atm
as can only pay in via atm can only deposit paper money (no coins) which is a pain for when doing the books
can't put overdraft on the account
can only have one deposit account

[santiagoh]

Well it is frustrating not being able to make physical deposits you should always see if it is absolutely necessary to have a teller to make your deposits. I bring this note up as it appears to be the main driver in your search for a new bank. I rarely myself deposit coins into my bank, the use of credit cards in my business keeps coins at bay and I use the coins to sort out my lunch expenses so actually I almost consider part of my pay.

I tend to look for a bank with the most user friendly internet access. Easy to access, pay out and review incoming payments.

Of course none of this makes the importance of a branch go away as time to time and depending on the frequency of cash transactions in your business, you need to make a cash deposit.

Other banks I found useful where HSBC and Barclays. HSBC appears to have a friendly people approach but of course you will need to tailor your account to the needs that are required by your business. I would suggest do an internet search for a location in each of their websites and have a visit and talk to a business account representative. This may take up a bit of your time but in the end you may get what you are looking for such as an overdraft account and multiple accounts.

[the locksmith]

I know that A&L are part of Santander but my A&L account allows me to pay in over the counter at the Post Office (envelope for Cheques + cash) and they say that will not change when my account officially becomes Santander.

[drounding]

You get free business banking at the Coop if you're a member of the FSB: http://bit.ly/dtKNnf

[Spapro]

Think the Co-op may let you pay in at post offices for business banking - may help with your issues of local paying in facility. Check this obviously.

Members of the FSB also get preferential rates (and free setup) for Streamline Card Payment Services (Streamline is Natwests Merchant Services arm).