Preparing to open a business bank account

Once you have decided which bank to use and which type of account you need, you may need to set up a meeting with the bank to open the account. Alternatively the bank may allow you to open a business bank account online. 

In each case, the bank will require certain information from you to open a business account, including:

• details of your business and business activities
• where the start-up finance for the business has come from - eg from you or other investors
• a business plan - see write a business plan: step-by-step and tailor your business plan to secure funding
• information on your credit history
• bank statements for the business if you already have a business account
• if you are a limited company - a certificate of incorporation