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Send yourself a reminder email containing the link back to your application form login page.
Where can I view my applications, including those I’ve submitted?
When you log in to your account, you’ll see your online application centre. It contains all your applications. We’ve put them into sections so it’s easy to find the right one at a glance. You can view your unfinished, submitted and completed applications. To find your applications, log in.
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How can I start a new application?
Starting a new application is easy. First you’ll need to Log in.
To get started on a new application, click the button in the top right hand corner of the screen marked Start a new application.
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Do I have to agree to any terms and conditions?
Yes. When you click Start a new application, you’ll see a screen titled Important information which shows you all the terms and conditions that apply.
What is Mitek?
Mitek is our trusted online identification and security partner.
We may use Mitek to check your identity by matching you to your photo ID. To do this we will share contact details with Mitek and it may also need you to provide proof of address and business documents. Find out more.
Once we receive all your information, we’ll review your application and will be in touch.
What details will I need to provide first?
When you begin your application, we’ll ask for the following:
- Personal details, like your name, address, date of birth
- Whether you’d like to open a Business Current Account or a Loan Servicing Account
What is the difference between a Business Current Account or a Loan Servicing Account?
Business current account
Business bank accounts are used for business transactions, but function in a similar way to your personal bank account. They can be opened in the name of a business rather than an individual, but allow you to pay money in or out as you would normally.
A business bank account makes it easier to manage your money and stay on top of your taxes, while also keeping your personal and business finances separate. Plus, it comes with helpful extras like accounting tools and secure online banking.
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Loan servicing account
A Loan Servicing Account is only required if you are currently in the process of applying for a business loan and you do not have or wish to have a business current account with us.
This account will only enable you to deposit funds with the bank to meet your monthly loan repayment. It CAN NOT be used to support day to day business transactions like taking payments from customers or making payments to suppliers and for this you will need to apply for a business current account.
If you have business current account with us you will be able to apply for loans and overdrafts in the future without the need to open an additional loan servicing account.
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What is my Company Registration Number (CRN)?
If you’re registered with Companies House, you can check your organisation type and/ or Company Registration Number online. You can search your organisation name on the Companies House website.
If you’re registered as a Charity, you can check the same with the relevant regulators:
What legal entity should I choose?
An organisation that’s registered with Companies House and has a registration number (CRN). It can have one or more directors and shareholders. This includes a Community Interest Company (CIC) established for community benefit and limited by shares.
Just one person is responsible for the organisation. You can be a Sole Trader even if you employ staff.
Two or more people (partners) are responsible for the organisation.
An organisation set up for one purpose or activity, which is usually non-profit. They’re unincorporated so they don’t have limited liability protection.
An organisation that’s registered with Companies House and has a registration number (CRN). Typically, these are non-profit organisations limited by guarantee, meaning they don’t have issued shares. Some Charities, Clubs & Societies set themselves up this way. This includes a Community Interest Company (CIC) established for community benefit that doesn’t have issued shares.
These are non-profit organisations that will be registered with the Charity Regulator and are not like other non-profit organisations registered at Companies House.
Organisation established for the purpose of running activities of a church/official place of worship such as regular religious ceremonies, communal worship, or similar gatherings.
An organisation that’s registered with Companies House and has a registration number starting with OC/ SC. A Partnership where each partner isn’t responsible for what the other partners do or their debt.
An organisation that’s registered with Companies House and has a registration number starting with LP. This type of Partnership must have at least one General Partner and at least one Limited Partner. General and Limited Partners have different responsibilities and levels of liability.
Business financials
When did you start or plan to start trading?
Simply enter the month and year you began trading. If you haven’t started trading yet, select the month and year you think most likely to be when you’ll start.
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Why are you opening a business account?
Here’s where you can tell us why you’re opening a bank account for your business. Feel free to tell us as much as you can. You can include any reasons you feel appropriate, which could be along the lines of wanting to keep your personal finances separate from those of your business, to make doing your taxes easier, or to give yourself more financial security.
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How should I categorise my business?
Enter some keywords that describe your business. A dropdown menu will appear, and all you’ll have to do is choose the category closest to what you do. You may have to make a few attempts at getting the wording right, so feel free to try different approaches. For example, if you’re a plumber, try 'plumber', 'plumbing' and other associated words until you find a good match.
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What details do I need to provide about my business?
We’ll ask you some basic questions about what you do, and the way you operate. For example, we’ll need information about the products you sell, and/or the services you provide. We’ll need at least a couple of paragraphs on this.
We’ll also ask about the size and scale of your business, who your customers are, and any other trading activities that contribute to your revenue.
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How do I provide an estimated turnover for the past 12 months?
This number doesn’t have to be exact to the nearest pound. A reasonably close estimate is fine. If you’ve been trading less than a year, you can provide an estimate for the next 12 months.
What is a key individual?
Essentially key individuals are people you’d like to add to your application. We’ll need their full name (and any aliases), along with their date of birth.
A key individual is a person who holds a significant role or level of authority within the business. This may include:
- Owners or Partners: Individuals who have an ownership stake in the business.
- Directors: Members of the board of directors who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the business.
- Officers: Key executives, such as the CEO, CFO, or COO, who manage the day-to-day operations.
Why are key individuals important?
Signatory Authority: Key individuals usually have the authority to sign contracts and make financial decisions on behalf of the business.
Account Access: They may need to be authorised signers on the business bank account, which allows them to access and manage the funds.
Understanding your business payments
Simply choose as many as are relevant to your business from the list. If you make bank transfers to UK banks, cheque payments and deal in cash, check those boxes.
When we ask if your business is seasonal, we mean things such as certain types of leisure and hospitality businesses such as deckchair rentals or summer camps.
This question about material assets relates to any stock or property your company owns, which is not within the UK. If you answer yes, we’ll ask you to confirm the country, and the nature of operations and use of assets you hold in that country. You can add multiple countries.
The question about operations, meanwhile, relates to any staff stationed overseas, any joint ventures you have with overseas companies, or any franchises you have overseas. If you answer yes, we’ll ask you to confirm the country, and the nature of your operations in that country. You can add multiple countries.
Yes. You must pay Corporation Tax on profits from doing business as a:
- limited company
- foreign company with a UK branch or office (also known as an ‘overseas company’)
- club, co-operative or other unincorporated association, for example a community group or sports club.
Yes. You must pay Corporation Tax on profits from doing business as a:
- limited company
- foreign company with a UK branch or office (also known as an ‘overseas company’)
- club, co-operative or other unincorporated association, for example a community group or sports club.
Yes. You’ll need to confirm which countries you’re tax resident in, and what your Tax Identification Number is, in that jurisdiction. You can add multiple countries in this section.
We’ll ask you how you’ll be making your initial deposit into your account. We’ll ask if you or someone else will make an initial deposit, and if any funds will be switched from your current bank account.
This can include loans from credit or financial institutions, loans or funds from an individual or a company, and any funds transferrer either due to opening a deposit account or due to switching banks.
We’ll ask if you intend to use your account solely for your own funds, or if you’ll use it to hold money on behalf of clients and third parties. If you’re going to use it to hold client money, we’ll give you a call to discuss this.
We’ll ask you if you’ve received investment of over £50,000 in the last 2 years, and whether you plan to apply for equity, investment, or venture capital support in next 12 months.
What will you need from me when I review my application and submit?
We’ll ask you to read our business account terms and make a declaration by e-signing your application. We’ll also ask you to upload a business document like a utility bill, for proof of identity.
What guidance is there for community groups, charities and not-for-profit?
We have been collaborating with UK finance, alongside charity organisations and other banks, to provide useful guidance when opening and managing your bank accounts.
Please review the voluntary organisation of banking guide from UK finance before you apply. This could be helpful and support you when completing your application.
Services added
You can remove some of these services, while others are optional but you may still be signed up for them.
- Business Builder
- Freeagent
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Optional Add-ons
- Savings account application
- Credit card application
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