business account, which one?

[Dupont666]

At the moment i need a business account setting up and was wondering what peoples opinions are?

I currently bank with HSBC and was wondering if i should just open another one up and maybe do it online or go for somewhere else, the account doesnt need to do anything special over an above just banking.

The only problem i do have is the not being able to go in personally at the moment to check each one out in turn so was hoping for people personal experience.

[V8mate]

I just moved my business banking from the Co-Operative Bank to HSBC as they have a permanent, reasonably high (for a single person Ltd Co.) threshold for no-fees banking. Most other banks offer free banking for 12-24 months then put you on their standard tariff.

I did it all online and it turned out to be a PITA what with forms being sent back and forth and long telephone calls (part of the process). I then visited the local branch I had nominated, and the business banker there said that she could have done the whole process, face-to-face in less than an hour.

[Bolebroke]

I had absolutely appalling problems with Barclays in Fulham (part of SW London business group) when I tried to open an account this time last year. I can not begin to catalogue their errors, ommissions and general lack of interest and professionalism. Truly awful. I hear HSBC are good.

[Mr Freefall]

Dupont666 said:

At the moment i need a business account setting up and was wondering what peoples opinions are?

I currently bank with HSBC and was wondering if i should just open another one up and maybe do it online or go for somewhere else, the account doesnt need to do anything special over an above just banking.

The only problem i do have is the not being able to go in personally at the moment to check each one out in turn so was hoping for people personal experience.

www.caterallen.com

Mr F

[amir_j]

Use Abbey here as free (has limits on stuff but would never apply to my one man company) and never had any issues.

[Dave^]

anyone use(d) Alliance & Leicester?

i'm in the process of setting up a business account myself, and have requested an application pack from A&L due to me having a current and savings accounts with them for past 15yrs.....

I did look at a comparison site which said they were best..... in which aspect i'm not entirely sure....

[V8mate]

BAHN-STORMA said:

V8mate said:

I just moved my business banking from the Co-Operative Bank to HSBC as they have a permanent, reasonably high (for a single person Ltd Co.) threshold for no-fees banking. Most other banks offer free banking for 12-24 months then put you on their standard tariff.

Were the charges the only reason you moved? Did you ask HSBC if they would waive them?

The reason I ask is that I bank with Lloyds and have so far been too apathetic to do either!

Has anyone else got any experience of asking Lloyds this?

I had always thought that my banking would be charge-free with the Co-op (due the nature of the transactions I was involved with and my turnover)

When, after 18 months a load of charges suddenly hit my account, I called them straight away and asked if they were sure they should be applied to my account. They said they were. I said that I would move immediately if that were the case, they didn't seem disappointed, so off I went.

I'm absolutely sure I'll not be troubled with fees by HSBC.

[K50 DEL]

amir_j said:

Use Abbey here as free (has limits on stuff but would never apply to my one man company) and never had any issues.

Same here, been with them for 2 years now with no issues.
You can't use the counters in branch with the free business account, but apart from that it's a normal banking service.