Could I open a Business Bank Account Today?

[Seamless-Outsourcing]

Sorry for posting another thread...

Basically I want to open a business bank account ASAP. I have a number of cheques I want to deposit for work I have done and just want to get things rolling.

I have been dealing with Alliance & Leicester, but after reading around the boards it seems they can take a long time to get started (am I presuming correctly here?).

Are there any banks which would allow me to open up an account today and start using it within a few days / a week. I am registered as a Limited Company, I have been renting an office for three months. I have a personal bank account with a healthy sum in it (not sure if that will make a difference - but I mean a decent sized deposit would be possible and a good statement, etc).

Anyway, thanks in advance

 

[sjdev]

Hi,

I'm currently setting up with Barclays, they said it should be open in 'up to a week'.

I'd obviously check with them, try HSBC too.

 

[steve23]

Off the top of my head, I don't think you can.

Part of the delay is to do with money laundering and terrorism legislation (and probably various other bits of law as well) - so it can't just be rushed through.

The bank have to apply suitable vetting procedures etc that all take time.

Thats my 2pence anway

All the best

Steve

 

[Indigo Cherry]

I doubt it very much. I have had 3 business acounts in the past. A previous business (Private Ambulance Service) was LloydsTSB and I had to make an appointment with a business manager to open that one.

I have also has Abbey (now Santander) and they took about 2 weeks.

I am now with Alliance And Leicester (also Santander) as Abbey was rubbish and that also took 2 weeks.

When I took the LLoydsTSB I also had an appointment with Barclays who were happy to open the account but tehy wanted SOOOOOOO much information and ID that I just didn't have so I knocked them on the head (not literally) and they took ages to get back to me, about a month if I remember correctly.

Matt

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Sorry for posting another thread...

Basically I want to open a business bank account ASAP. I have a number of cheques I want to deposit for work I have done and just want to get things rolling.

I have been dealing with Alliance & Leicester, but after reading around the boards it seems they can take a long time to get started (am I presuming correctly here?).

Are there any banks which would allow me to open up an account today and start using it within a few days / a week. I am registered as a Limited Company, I have been renting an office for three months. I have a personal bank account with a healthy sum in it (not sure if that will make a difference - but I mean a decent sized deposit would be possible and a good statement, etc).

Anyway, thanks in advance

I suspect from experience if you want an account opened quickly calling into one of the high street banks will be your best option. I've found Barclays to be one of the quickest. They do generally take a week or so though as they have to run Money Laundering ID checks etc.

 

[Indigo Cherry]

I suspect from experience if you want an account opened quickly calling into one of the high street banks will be your best option. I've found Barclays to be one of the quickest. They do generally take a week or so though as they have to run Money Laundering ID checks etc.

REALLY????????

I found Barclays to be the slowest! But then again the business manager they supplied me was a total waste of space

 

[ThePublisher]

My husband has just opened a business account for a new business with NatWest. It'll be 2 weeks tomorrow since we saw the bank, and he got an account number late yesterday.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

REALLY????????

I found Barclays to be the slowest! But then again the business manager they supplied me was a total waste of space

Its always difficult recommending banks as you'll always get bad reports, and with the high street banks I do think alot is dependent on the local manager. Its a shame you had such a bad experience. I do think generally if you need an account opened quickly though you'll stand the best chance with a high street bank. (Fingers crossed)

 

[Seamless-Outsourcing]

Went into Barclays and Santander branches today, both sent me away with mobile phone numbers to get in touch with a business manager that would arrange to meet me... Seems like a lot of hassle... I had my lease, passport, business plan and everything else with me but they don't seem to be interested in all honesty =/ I will obviously just have to go the long way about things!!!

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Went into Barclays and Santander branches today, both sent me away with mobile phone numbers to get in touch with a business manager that would arrange to meet me... Seems like a lot of hassle... I had my lease, passport, business plan and everything else with me but they don't seem to be interested in all honesty =/ I will obviously just have to go the long way about things!!!

If you get a good local manager with Barclays once you've met with them they can get it moved quickly. Are you possibly based near Bath at all - reason for asking is that I have a really good contact at Barclays who covers Bath who may be able to help.

 

[Seamless-Outsourcing]

If you get a good local manager with Barclays once you've met with them they can get it moved quickly. Are you possibly based near Bath at all - reason for asking is that I have a really good contact at Barclays who covers Bath who may be able to help.

I am not too far, I am in Weston Super Mare.

It is quite frustrating really - I just want to walk into a branch and open an account! I guess Barclays and Santander are the only ones offering free Business Banking at the moment?

 

[ThePublisher]

I am not too far, I am in Weston Super Mare.

It is quite frustrating really - I just want to walk into a branch and open an account! I guess Barclays and Santander are the only ones offering free Business Banking at the moment?

My husband got 2 years free with Natwest.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I am not too far, I am in Weston Super Mare.

What a shame - she doesnt go as far down as Weston Super Mare.

 

[Seamless-Outsourcing]

Walking through the highstreet today I saw:

Halifax
Nationwide
Lloyds TSB
Natwest
Barclays - Gave me a number
Santander - Gave me a number

Guess I need to do my research... if anyone knows that these take in branch applications and don't charge a fortune please let me know

 

[Seamless-Outsourcing]

To be honest I don't mind paying a small fee (just looking at Lloyds / Natwest) I just want to get an account open!!!