New business merchant accounts

[john_p]

4 yrs ago we set up an online retail business and were given a merchant account straight away by HSBC, next day into account, low fees, no deposit etc.

I take it the heady days of that are over - if I was to start up a new business venture tomorrow, would the company still be offered merchant accounts by any of the banks?

Worldpay etc isn't really an option unfortunately.

[dcw@pr]

Whe I started my company they told me you had to be trading for 6 months before you could get merchant services, although we managed to do it in less because we had a had an account with them before incorporation. This was Barclays by the way.

[john_p]

Thanks, will speak to HSBC as my company has had a merchant account since 99 - I don't want to involve my current company with the venture any more than I have to.

[tim_s]

try streamline (natwest). i've heard many good things about them and I'm applying for a merchant account with them at the moment.

[JamieBeeston]

tim_s said:

try streamline (natwest). i've heard many good things about them and I'm applying for a merchant account with them at the moment.

Last I heard they were / had withdrawn streamline whilst they looked into some largescale fraud.

Be good to hear your results.

[davidd]

John

We have been able to get a couple of customers accounts with Barlcays with little notice. If you get stuck then let me know and I'll give you a name and number.

D