Struggling with bad credit and worried about being rejected for a business bank account? Our proven strategies and alternative banking solutions are designed to turn the odds of approval in your favour.
If you’ve ever been refused a business bank account, you need to read this.
If you’re looking for immediate banking solutions without the hassle of credit checks, explore our curated list of top UK business bank accounts with no credit check for quick and easy account opening options, and a selection of the best business bank accounts for people with bad credit histories.
Do you have a bad credit history or no credit history at all?
Millions of people in the UK suffer from a bad credit history. Whether that’s from defaults, County Court orders, or bankruptcies. In some instances, they might not even be to blame for the initial debt. Think couples with joint finances, or students renting a shared house.
The affects of a poor credit history on your personal life are well known. Difficulty in obtaining loans, credit cards, or mortgages at a decent rate, or even being accepted for credit at all. But at least there are a number of ‘Basic Personal Bank Accounts‘ that will allow you to make deposits and withdraws and even use a debit card.
Yet when it comes to business things are different. If you’re setting up business as a sole trader, or your side hustle starts earning a decent amount, you’re going to need a business bank account. If you’re setting up a limited liability company (LTD) or partnership (LLP), then by law you need a dedicated business bank account.
Can you open a business bank account with a bad credit history?
Yes, opening a business bank account with bad credit is possible. Numerous banks provide no-credit-check accounts specifically for those with poor credit. Options include more basic accounts for essential banking, and credit-builder accounts to help improve your credit score over time.
What is the main issue?
Despite limited liability companies, being separate legal entities to that of their owners or directors, many banks still require the director(s) to pass a personal check as part of the application. For those with a bad credit history, that can often lead to rejection.
Fortunately, there is action you can take to help tip the odds of acceptance in your favour. And with that in mind, we’ve created this guide to help you open a business bank account even with a bad credit history, and listed some of the easiest business bank accounts to open.
How to open a business bank account with a poor credit history
Create a solid business plan
High street banks are stuck in the past, and for some opening a business account often means setting an appointment with a ‘business advisor’.
Creating a solid business plan is a sure way to show these advisors that you are serious about your new venture and have a good understanding of the financials.
Here’s how to create a plan that resonates, without needing an MBA:
- Executive Summary: Start with a clear, concise overview of your business idea, goals, and how you plan to achieve them.
- Market Analysis: Detail your target market, competition, and your strategy to stand out. This shows you’ve done your homework.
- Financial Projections: Highlight your expected revenue, expenses, and profitability. Realistic financial forecasts are crucial to gaining trust.
- Operations Plan: Outline how your business will operate, from supply chain to staffing. This demonstrates your venture’s feasibility.
- Marketing Strategy: Explain how you’ll attract and retain customers. This shows you’re thinking about growth.
You can get further advice and support from Business Link (now part of gov.uk), as well sample business plans.
The most important aspect here is to base your plan around solid financial forecasts and projects giving both you and your new bank an idea of the business’ potential.
While digital banks may not require a business plan for account opening, crafting one is invaluable. It not only prepares you for potential meetings with traditional banks but also serves as a strategic roadmap for your business.
Remember, your business plan is a living document. It should evolve as your business grows, helping you navigate the journey ahead.
Check your credit report history
You’d be surprised by the amount of people who apply for big-ticket financial products, such as a loan or mortgage, without first checking their reported credit history. If you are one of these people, stop now.
- Obtain Your Report: Access your credit report for free through services like Credit Karma, Clear Score, or directly from credit bureaus like Experian and Equifax. Remember, you can often earn cashback by signing up through sites like Top Cashback.
- Review Key Sections: Carefully examine sections detailing your personal information, credit accounts, and financial history. Look for any inaccuracies in your addresses, account statuses, and payment histories, and importantly your name on the accounts.
- Identify Discrepancies: Highlight any errors or outdated information. This includes incorrect debt listings, payments marked late that were paid on time, or accounts that aren’t yours.
- Dispute Errors: Contact the credit bureau directly to dispute inaccuracies. Provide evidence to support your claim, such as bank statements or payment confirmations. The bureau is required to investigate and correct valid disputes.
- Notice of Correction: If disputing a debt you believe is unjust or incorrect, add a notice of correction to your file. This 200-word statement allows you to explain the situation to future lenders.
- Update Your Details: Ensure your address is listed correctly and matches the format used in your applications. Small discrepancies can impact your application success.
What else should you be looking for?
Check your file for any County Court Judgements (CCJs), Bankruptcies, and defaults. Make sure all the basics are correct, i.e. your current and previous addresses, name, date of birth, and financial accounts.
If you notice anything that seems wrong or out of place such as outstanding debts that you’ve long since cleared, or misspellings in your name or addresses, contact the agency to have the information corrected.
It is also worth find out exactly how your address is listed on the report and ensuring you copy that exact format when you apply for an account, as even slight discrepancies can trip up your application.
If you are currently in a dispute with a company over a debt, you can place a notice of correction on your file. This will force new lenders to personally look over your file to see what you have written, rather than the process being an automatic “computer says no” affair. It will make the application process take a little longer but at least you get to explain yourself.
Regularly monitoring and updating your credit report can significantly improve your chances of business bank account approval. Taking these steps ensures lenders see the most accurate representation of your financial history.
Get on the electoral role
Next check to make sure that you are listed on the Electoral Roll at your current address. This is extremely important, as not being registered will make it nearly impossible to open a business bank account of any kind.
If you are not registered, you can do so on the Government’s register to vote page. Do this as early as possible as the register is only up dated twice yearly (Spring/Autumn) and it can take credit referencing agencies up to two months to update their records once the register is published.
Tip: Unless you want to be inundated with junk mail make sure you don’t sign up for the ‘edited, or open’ register. This is the one that is open to companies for marketing purposes.
Register with HMRC
Current tax rules mean that you must register with HMRC within three months of trading. There can be reasons for delaying this registration but it is recommended to register before you apply for your business bank account.
The reason being, ‘Know You Customer’ (KYC) rules mean that some business accounts using automated acceptance procedures now check for this and will reject your application if you are not registered.
The actual registration process is straightforward, and can be done online via the gov.uk website but it can take up to 10 days to get your UTR, and you must already have a Government Gateway ID. Register with HMRC.
Applying for a Business Bank Account
Preparing Your Finances
Before applying for a business bank account, it’s crucial to address any outstanding financial liabilities. Reducing balances on credit cards, store cards, or overdrafts can significantly improve your appeal to banks.
Remember, even though you’re not seeking credit immediately, banks evaluate your overall financial health and potential profitability.
For those wary of credit checks, consider no-credit-check accounts as a viable alternative, offering near-guaranteed acceptance.
Ready to Apply?
Ensure your credit report is accurate and you have a basic business plan with financial projections. Now, you’re set to choose the right bank account for your business needs.
Where to Apply:
Dealing with Defaults but No Major Credit Issues?
- Tide: Ideal for those with old or minor defaults, or a thin credit file. It conducts a soft search, which won’t impact your credit score, allowing you to apply elsewhere if you’re not accept. Business accounts are free, with comprehensive digital banking services. Note: Cash handling businesses should consider the 0.7% fee for cash deposits at Post Offices.
Learn more about Tide’s business account in our long term review
Current Bank Relationships
- Your Existing Bank: If you have a good standing with your current bank, discuss your business account needs with them. Many banks value existing relationships and may offer tailored solutions.
Facing CCJs or More Serious Credit Issues?
- NatWest Foundation Account: Previously a go-to for those with CCJs, the digital banking shift suggests exploring online alternatives. However, for those requiring in-branch services, it remains an option, subject to specific conditions. Bear in mind this account will only be offered after Natwest has already run a check on you.
Under 18 and Looking to open a business bank account?
- Monzo: While Barclays used to be our go to account for under 18 years looking to open a business bank account, Monzo now seems the best bet. What’s more you can do it all online.
Digital Bank Accounts and Solutions for Bad Credit
Digital banks and fintech companies have revolutionised business banking, offering features comparable to traditional banks but with greater convenience and often at a lower cost.
Ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and those with bad credit, these digital accounts require only identity verification, bypassing credit checks entirely.
- Zempler Business Account: Known for its ease of opening and comprehensive features, including cashback on business expenses.
- Tide: Offers a seamless setup process with no monthly fees, ideal for electronic transactions.
- Card One Money: A good option for businesses needing to deposit cheques and handle international payments.
- Anna Money: Provides a suite of admin tools alongside banking services, suitable even for those with IVAs or undischarged bankruptcies.
- Revolut for Business: Best for businesses needing multi-currency and international banking capabilities.
Make sure you see our detailed comparison of these and more options, in our roundup of no-credit-check business bank accounts.
Your Experience Matters
We’re eager to hear about your journey in securing a business bank account with bad credit. Share your success stories and tips in the comments below to help others navigate this challenge.
55 comments on “How to open a business bank account with a poor credit history”
It’s a real shame that basic business bank accounts don’t exist. With unemployment at over 7% we need more entrepreneurs taking the initiative and setting up their own businesses. After all small businesses employ over 47% of the UK private sector workforce.
It’s near impossible to run a business without a bank account, and those with a pervious poor credit history or bad debts are the ones that suffer the most, but the Government is still waiting for banks to agree on minimum standards for basic bank accounts for personal use, so a basic business account looks a long way off.
I went in to Metro Bank and was told the deposit account is only available if you also have the current account (despite what it says on the website to the contrary)
Sorry to hear that. That wasn’t always the case, but things could have changed since they started expanding. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll check it out and update the article.
I have two accounts with Santander but was refused a business account because of poor credit history , went to Natwest and was given the foundation account with no problems!!
They offer two years free banking while Santander offer one. A better deal for me. Thanks for the refusal 😉
Has anyone been able to open a business account with a CCJ?
Thanks
James
I had to have a business account to operate as a contracting consultant. I don’t have any outgoings to speak of except for business expenses (travel, hotels, etc) and I only have income which is not inconsiderable. I have no need or desire for overdrafts, cheque books, etc.
Initially I tried with my own bank HSBC and the computer said no. I then tried with Metro and their computer also said no. I haven’t even bothered trying with the other high street banks on the basis of these 2 rejections.
I did get ‘accepted’ by Cash Plus but they have been an unmitigated disaster. My first set of invoices came to nearly £23k and the payment was rejected because there is a limit on ingoing payments of £15k (which I guess is in the small print somewhere but I didn’t know about it). I then had my limit raised to the maximum £30k and I even got the remitting company to split the payment and send it in 2 amounts. The 2 payments of £11k odd then went into investigation when they came in because they were ‘large amounts’, whatever that means. It took me emailing a complaint to the CEO of APS to get these payments ‘authorised’.
With all of these financial institutions I find it exceedingly hard to understand why it has proved so difficult to give them money. Although I have 2 very old defaults sitting on my personal file, there is absolutely no credit risk to them from this business. It is simply money in and then a bit in the way of business expenses and dividends out. I’m practically pleading with them to take in around £55k and they don’t want it.
How has it come to this? Banks can not seem to think for themselves these days. Anyway, I’m not going to let this lie, particularly with HSBC. Metro ‘bank’ I couldn’t care less about. My whole experience with them was pure Disney.
I have to say Peter I’m right there with you. I have an LLP with business accounts at santander.I decided to trade then as a ltd company. Santander turned me down flat for a new business account. How the hell can that happen. Haven’t tried anyone else yet but it begs the question would anyone notice if I just continued to use the LLPs business accounts !!!!
Interesting thread. I have recently started contracting back in the Automotive Engineering industry after a period of self-employment running a leased tied pub through the wonderful Pub company called Enterprise Inns.
Although I appear to have managed to avoid the more usual fate of Bankruptcy that many of their lessees face I have been severely financially damaged.
I was advised upon starting the contracting that I should set up as a Ltd company to take advantage of the benefits. Unfortunately the only thing likely to affect my ability to do this is my ability to get a business bank account.
As the opportunity came about quickly and needed my immediate start I have started , initially I hoped, under an umbrella company.
Obviously the Ltd option would be best and as I only need the account as a deposit account with the ability to pay my wages and dividend from, with no requirement for any credit or overdraft I hoped this wouldn’t be so difficult. I may have been wrong…unfortunately my credit history is damaged as a result of the three years lining Enterprises directors pension funds.
If anyone can advise of a solution that may help here I would be interested as the Umbrella setup is not the most efficient.
Do you know anyone that you can trust to own 80% of the shares of a new ltd company? I f they apply for an account for the new company, then if more shares are transferred to you later then you may not have to notify the bank, and in the interim you could have a signed share transfer form from the major shareholder that you can lodge at any time in the future.
Have just been turned down by HSBC, this is insane. I do not need any financial support just an account in which to dump my earnings.
How banks can refuse limited companies an account without any lending requirements at all is beyond me. The country is full of great business owners/entrepreneurs without fantastic credit reports and this stops us from making the most of the opportunities ahead of us.
I’m now faced with having to transfer my shareholding to my wife and some point buy it back. So thank you HSBC for stopping me get on with own life.
Natwest are still running their foundation account but you need to specifically ask for it. Even then others have been turned down only to successfully open an account with Santander.
I’d not thought of Dave’s method above and transferring shares to someone else. That takes a lot of trust and has implications for the other party.
Card based accounts such as Cashplus and Cardone can be a decent stop gap to get you up and running, but they do cost. Saying that though Barclcays charge around £5.50 per month (£66 per year) for the pleasure of having an business account with them.
It is astounding at a time when job creation and private enterprise is being promoted but banks are not playing ball by refusing basic business accounts, even to their existing customers. This is beyond ridiculous.
Personal experience – I have applied with Barclays, HSBC, TSB, Metro and all turned me down. I’m still in the process with Natwest/RBS for the foundation account and will also try Santander and Lloyds. Suffice to say I’m not holding my breath for any success. In the meantime, I’ve opened the Cash Plus account since I have invoices to process imminently.
I have a very bad credit history, payroll companies don’t work for me. I have set up a Limited Company no problem and I have just tried Cash plus and been rejected. My Business is as an HGV driver,simple enough can anyone recommend what I should do next ?
I have been off work for three months (operation) and now need to get back to work. Any help would be appreciated .
That’s odd that you weren’t accepted for the CashPlus card. Have you tried the CardOne Banking Accont? It’s similar with the addition of using Barclays branches as well as the Post Office. Neither of these applications will show up on your credit history so you’re safe there. CardOne also refund the fee if you’re not accepted, though I can’t think why you wouldn’t be.
Thanks Carl, I have filled in the Card One Account and made the payment i’m waiting to hear from them .
Hi John I have just applied for the card one account. How is it going with them – they say on their website the account can be up and running quickly.
Hi Guys, here is what you need to do to bypass all of this agro.
Get someone with good credit to set the ltd company up.
Make them go and open an account with a mainstream bank.
Then after a couple of weeks, go to the bank with the director and add yourself on the mandate to sign and have authority.
Then add yourself as a director
Then resign the other director
Then go and change the mandate to only you to sign.
I did it with the HSBC, to whom i owe money to from having previous personal and business accounts with ! so i know it works.
Hello Carl and James,
I had to send them some other information which I did in support of my application and it was accepted just over a week ago. I have my card and my pin number is on its way so all good for now. Good luck with your application James.
Hi just a couple of bits of info.
The Foundation Account does still exist with Natwest but you can forget it if you have a CCJ of any description no matter how old or how small. I was asked the question why I wanted the Foundation Account (which is pretty obvious is it not) and then asked if I had any CCJ’s. I gave an honest answer, as it’s still on my credit file I couldn’t do anything else really and that was the end of the conversation. At least by being honest it saved me the time and hassle of going through the whole application process and weeks of waiting only to be rejected at the end of it all.
If your business or in my case limited company uses a mail forwarding address (no matter that you hold meetings and seminars from the same address) Cashpluswill reject you as they will not accept what THEY consider to be any mail forwarding address as a registered business address and state as much on their website, they care not if you also provide your home address and that it is also your trading address too believe it or not it is possible to trade from more than one address Cashplus!
Which just leaves the CardOne account which is going through smoothly as I write, although I did squeak at the £50 application fee for which there is no real justification for in my opinion, as we the applicants do all the donkey work obtaining certified copies of our ID and proof of address pay the recorded postage and stick it in the post and all the CardOne Guys do is open the letter put a receipt stamp on your two pieces of documentation and put it in a file, but I guess we must be thankful for small mercies.
Good luck with finding a business account everyone. Crazy situation that we are all having to go through, so much hassle for such a basic facility if you do not require an overdraft, loan or credit of any description with your bank account then why should you be prevented from using a bank. There quite simply should not be any credit checks for opening basic bank accounts ID and Proof of Address fair enough so perhaps it’s time for a two tier application process one for those wanting credit and one for those who don’t.
Thanks for this very helpful article and the comments. Just trying to make sense of all business bank accounts etc and so this is very useful information from a trusted source.
This is completely disgraceful.
I have just had my business account cancelled with Santander. we do around 1 million of turnover per year, however I raised 23,000 GBP from High Net Worth Investors under the EIS Scheme and put the money through the account and they cancelled my account with 2 weeks notice. Metrobank, TSB have also turned me down.
My credit is perfect, my chairman’s is not but he has 2.5% of the company and it should not matter.
Someone needs to advise the government about this, the banks have been spooked by some new regulation or other and don’t want to take anyone on. This is complete madness.
N
Hi
I have missed payments on my credit file and a default I am catching up with the payments but need a business account could anyone please advise me on the best bank to apply for a business account
You probably already have an account by now. A few missed payments and a single default could be a problem. In that case it’s best to try the bank you already have your current account with (unless your missed payments and defaults are with them), as they will have evidence of your running of the account, and an existing relationship with you. Barclays tend to be good in this regard.
I had the misfortune to have a shop fitting contractor go bust on me a few years back that caused me great financial difficulty, My bank -at that time took the opportunity to cash in on this mistake and consequently ruined my what was excellent credit rating. It seems that banks have forgotten that THEY caused the recession and the damage to business’s. I’ve found it very difficult to keep going, now we’re out of recession I need a bank that will give me some help but I don’t think there is one out there.
has anyone had any success with FSB? I saw that if you become a member with them you can access a co-op business account.
I successfully opened a Cashplus Business Account, as I wanted to set up a simple Internet business and receive Clickbank commissions, which is normal for most Internet Marketing businesses. However I hit a stumbling block, Clickbank only send commissions direct to bank accounts that have either an IBAN or SWIFT codes (which is the international equivalent of sort codes for global banks), sadly Cashplus don’t have either of those yet according to their Twitter feed. The only other alternative is to receive international cheques direct from Clickbank and pay them into my current account or get a current account with an IBAN or SWIFT bank code. Why are the banks making things so difficult for their customers, don’t they want our custom? It certainly seems that way!
Normally in such circumstances the organisation would receive the money into their account then use the reference on the transaction to appropriate it to the customer. It’s a shame Cash Plus can’t at least so that.
I think if you’re receiving personal cheques you’ll be OK depositing them into your personal account provided it’s not like loads of tiny transactions per month.
CardOneBanking accept personal or business cheques, but as you’ve already gone down the CashPlus route, it’d be extra hassle and cost to change.
What we need a decent high-street bank to open up a ‘No-frills’ business account even if it’s charged for, but they don’t seem to want to do that because they make too much money from overdrafts and credit cards.
UPDATE 2017 – Both CashPlus and CardOneBanking accept international payments now
CardOneBanking confirmed with me that they do accept international payments. Cashplus don’t. I will amend the comparison article in due course.
I read a lot of comment on here realy good and helpful . I am thinking of starting my own business up first time. Yes ive screwed and had ccj . So ime hoping cash plus will be good .. as I dont think grom these comments other banks will help ..
The co-op are stingent, they cited a 4 year old default during my December ’14 application and asked me to wait until June ’16 to re apply. This was through the FSB membership, so the membership itself although it gives you a better account (2 years free), still seems to have the same criteria, i didn’t even ask for any borrowing, just a ltd co. account.
I have just been down to the bank and opened a business account with my bank barclays had no problems at all and both me and my business partner have bad credit. We run a small leaflet distribution company based in Kent and have been in Business as sole traders for over 10 years but wanted to go LTD so it looks better. I had a good read of this site before going to my bank and picked up some great tips. Thanks for sharing
we went to Metro bank and were refused an account because some of our overseas trade – India, China etc were not markets they were comfortable dealing with. Given we are in Textiles and these are huge markets then this is a strange attitude.
Metro Bank refused me due to bad credit (They do an Experian check).
Natwest/RBS foundation account is only applicable if you can declare your CCJ i.e. repayments etc, if its active then you’re dead in the water.
Santander seem favourable but again depends on your CCJ status.
Co-Op won’t accept anyone with an active CCJ (has to be over 6 years).
Barclays seem favourable but again depends on your overall credit rating however they state they can still offer a basic free business account.
CardOneBanking looks the easiest, be aware of the costs involved however there is a £55 application fee (Refundable if the application fails).
All this credit checking etc has gone hysterically too far, damaging entrepreneurs/small businesses from starting projects etc., especially after the banking crash, which damaged alot of good folk/established businesses through no fault of their own, only to be doubly damaged by having it all then registered on public data bases- credit reference agencies have now become a ‘cancer’ to progress,also actively marketing everyone to do credit checking on themselves (albeit at a cost and huge profit to the agencies) combined with the rush to log anything at all on these networks- it might be said credit reference agencies might have been major contributors to all the recessionary issues in the first place- capitalism only exists on the basis of money being allowed to flow, and so making that harder must have an obvious outcome to business expansion.The time has come to start putting a severe restriction on their activities.
i want to open a business account i have tried the high street bank but the refuse me guess because of the bad credit. i apply to card one they refuse me and i tried cash plus they open the account after about one year of running the account the account was close i ask why they refuse to disclose the reason.. i dont now what else to do.. should i re apply to card one again? please i need an advice.. i really need a business account. all my transaction is on hold because of it… please can some one advice me. thanks
You have nothing to lose trying CardOne again since the application fee is refundable if you’re not successful, but you need to find out why your CashPlus account was closed. Did you inadvertently breach any terms or conditions? Since you’ve got a years worth of trading and proof of financials under your belt, I would try a highstreet bank again. Barclays and Santander seem the easiest to deal with, though if you hold a personal bank account with one of the other big player it might be worth starting their first.
These cards provide various advantages to the customers.
Your credit file might not reflect all your clear credit score accounts.
Holders with bad credit history do not have to get disappointed as credit scores do not act as the vital feature in approving
these loans.
Hi,
My credit rating at present isn’t brilliant……
I recently went to a Metro bank branch based on that they only require basic info.
I saw one of their business bank advisors and went through the application to open a business account. I was advised that they would do a basic credit check. I said knowingly my credit rating was brilliant at present mainly due to some missed payments as have been out of work for several months but I’m now back in work and I was sorting any monies being owned. The advisor advised they are only required to run basic check. Now something obviously came up on their screen as they said they needed to have a chat with the branch manager. So off they went for around 5/10 minutes. I’m now sitting at a desk like a naughty child thinking what’s come up… The advisor eventually returned and advised they will have to wait a decision from the Area Director before it would be agreed that they will open the account. I said why’s that as under current legislation you can’t refuse me a bank account based on whatever my credit history is. The advisor said yes I’m correct with regards to a basic current account but not on a business account. The reason my application was being put on hold so to speak was based on my ability to pay bank charges….!! Can anyone tell me if this is correct you can be refused a bank account on that basis.
I opened a startup business bank account with Santander last week for my newly formed Ltd company. I have 2 CCJ’s which are 2 and 3 years old which I’m still repaying. I had no idea it was so difficult to open a business account. I actually didn’t approach my own bank which afterwards I thought might be a mistake. Was a fast process with free banking for a year.
Thanks Dennis my credit rating ain’t great due to baggage from divorce. I am getting there but it’s still ongoing. I went to lloyds as my friend is s bank mgr there but no luck even with their influencing and speaking for me explaining this is no fault of mine etc etc. However I do bank with Santander and called them today no problem account now active. I was worried after Lloyds but your post encouraged me. Thank you
Hi guys hope someone can help , I need to open a business account pretty quickly , I’ve just come out of bankruptcy, yes I know it’s bad but not all my fault but that’s in the past now , can anyone help or point me in the right direction. Many thanks in advance
This country is a joke when in Spain you can open a basic bank account with a passport and contract of employment. All banks operating within the EU should be offering the same services on identical criteria should they not? Business accounts with no credit facilities should be a basic right providing you have adequate identity and paperwork from Companies House
The problem is that if you’re making money, they’ll always be organisations that want a piece of it. Hence why even the traditional banks like Barclays can charge up to 35p for making electronic payments, or £1.50 for cashing cheques, and they’re not alone.
We tried with Natwest, we were told if we declared any CCJ’s then they would be considered. We were not successful. We got a letter saying they wouldn’t proceed with our application.
I have 2 ccj’s.
So we tried with card one. They accepted our identity checks, I emailed them a number of documents, photos, proving our business was as I claimed. Even a copy of our mycash plus statement show £10k in credit. Again we were refused, but they claimed it was probably due a breach of their terms? No idea what that is meant to mean…..
A total shit system, I don’t want credit, I want to give them my money…….
Took me 10 minutes to open Cashplus account with a low credit score and defaults… same day I was refused a HSBC business account even tho I bank with them, which left a negative footprint on my report! Cash plus does get bad reviews but so far it seems to me people want the whole facility for free… they charge an annual fee of £69.99 and a few other charges for additional facilities. But you are up an running in no time, meanwhile your credit score is building as you use them. I’ve since gone Ltd so need to close sole trader and open Ltd account. keep you posted!
I had the same troubling problem with Lloyds Bank
They opened my account fine online even called me to check what I was going to put through the account. Had an email with my account details etc, then a week later my debit card plus card reader arrived. I went awn for a week then came back and was all ready to access my online bank account but was met with a message saying my account had been closed even though I had paid money into the account. I spoke to the “relationship Manager” an contradiction in terms if you ask me and they informed me that the account had been closed due to further checks being made. NO IDEA WHY..
The banks in this country have it all their own way and have had for far too long. I opened a Tide account but the limits are so small it will be impossible to run an account.
ANY IDEAS ???
I know this is 3 years later than the OP but I just wanted to add that during Covid-19 I also had the exact same experience with Lloyds. I opened the business account for a LTD company, received the welcome emails, sort code, account number, card reader, pin number and card and they closed the account with no warning citing that I had not passed further checks. When queried with their business relationship manager they would not explain why. So for others out there beware this can still happen even in 2020
The info on Acron is wrong – there IS an application fee…
Thanks Martin. You are correct. There is an activation fee. It is the personal account that doesn’t have one. I will get that updated.
Hi All
My one of friend recently applied for 12-month Business account online with Santander Bank. He had very bad history and 4 default on his account. Now he got approval from santander and happy to have business account.
So try for santander online 12 month start up account not for 18 month…
Applied for the Cash plus business account as I have bad credit, prior CCJs and already hold a personal account with them. Received email saying they are looking into it and will reply within 5 business days. Have just called as not heard anything and told I have been refused, no notes or reason why. Also that they do not notify you, you can only find out if you call to check in!.
Sorry to hear that, not great customer service especially when competing with the modern digital accounts. Other options are CardOne/Acorn, Tide, or some of the newer accounts like Coconut (though it’s still in Beta testing and is more of a combined accounts package).
Hi opened a new card one business account but having great difficulty in withdrawing cash from NatWest can’t one tells me that NatWest don’t have to do a cash withdrawal but have a relationship with them is there anybody that has a CardOneBanking account and do they draw cash from NatWest please advise as it’s becoming awkward to run my business as I can only withdraw 450 with the cost per day
I lost a business last year and went bankrupt following that. I have no CCJs and currently no debts. I was discharged a month ago with no restrictions. What payment methods would I be able to offer new clients if I start a new business? Many thanks.
This matter is so serious your local M.P. should be informed and some sort of anti-bank publicity campaign mounted, We lived in a rented house for 18 years, no rent arrears and no problems with the immigrant owner who was from a seriously wealthy family of crooks (think downtown Bombay) their business was to pay for poor people to attend a bogus wedding held here iin the UK, then encourage them to overstay, get a job, obtain benefits and repay the loan’s owed to him by becoming the tenants of one of their slum properties (back to topic) After 18 years he wanted the house back he claimed for his son’s use, untrue, we objected to the 4-weeks and out-you-go request, and it went to Court, we got a 3-month stay but lost the case as there is NO DEFENCE to a landlords application for possession, what was outlandish is his Lawyer handled the Court application and the one hour County Court hearing and was awarded the £13 500 he claimed costs. I refused to pay it and it was never paid. He dropped the claim. Going to a bank to open a business bank account with this all too common story is a waste of time. I have been turned down twice, it appears even bent-lawyers bills must be paid or the banks will not open you a simple business accout. .