Online based banks
 

Evening all.
I know that there are some money savvy people on here and I need a bit of advice.
Cut a long story short, ive just gone self employed and need an account for my business. It only needs to be very basic and I'm not really interested in a business account due to the costs involved.
I walked into HSBC, asked for an account and was told that unless im switching my current account to them that they werent interested- the same with Barclays. (HSBC, Barclays and LLoyds TSB are close by).

Ive come home and looked at First Direct and Smile. Seems to fit the bill, as they offer no charges with no frills etc with the facility to pay in at the Post Office if necessary.
On a closer look, Santander offer a business account at around £7.50pm with unlimited transactions, with £1000pm cash deposit limit which is ok.

Anybody used any of them? Any advice?
Ben:)

I've had a business account with Santander (formerly an Abbey one) for many years and I pay no charges at all as long as I stick to some conditions regarding the maximum number of cheques I pay in per month, etc.

The same one may not be available any longer (not surprising - they've never made a penny out of me!) but I've found them to be very good.

Thats good to hear.
I have a current account with LLoyds and im happy with that and the services i get for the monthly charge, but my old man has a business account with them and is absolutely clobbered by them, hence me being kind of against a business account.

Join the FSB, they are good to have on side and will get you a bank acount...

http://www.fsb.org.uk/business-banking

I signed up to Barclays business banking last year and wasn't charged a thing or asked to move my personal current account to them. It was the most basic business account they do - cheque book, debit card, online banking. Which account did you ask for?

I even got £50 for opening the account.

I have a current account with First Direct. Very happy with the service. You ring up and get straight through to a person in the UK (which is a pleasure these days)

Told me it's free for 18 months then listed various charges for when that period is up, but they were also asking that I moved my current account over to getthe 18 months. Bit of a hard sell tbh. HSBC said virtually the same but had no free charges period.

That's all I seem to be hearing and are high up on my list.

Thanks for that, ill have a look through.