Business current accounts
As a bank founded on co-operative values, we’ve always been committed to putting our customers’ needs at the heart of everything we do. We have a range of business current accounts specifically designed with small businesses in mind.
Business Directplus
A business bank account ideal for
New customers looking for a business bank account with a free banking period.
- New Co-operative Bank business customers get free everyday banking for 30 months Subject to business directplus monthly limits
- No charges for automated credits and cash withdrawals even after the 30 month free introductory period.
FSB business banking account
A business bank account ideal for
Members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Find out about the services and benefits of FSB membership here
- Free everyday business banking Subject to FSB monthly limits
- Access to an overdraft with no arrangement fee (subject to application, status and assessment of your financial circumstances). You'll be charged debit interest on your overdrawn balance and security fees may apply.
Community Directplus
A business bank account ideal for
Registered charities, co-operatives, credit unions and community interest companies.
- Free everyday banking
- Apply for a donation of up to £1,000 from our Customer Donation Fund to support special projects and fundraising activities.
Cash Tariff
A business bank account ideal for
Businesses with a high cash turnover looking for an account with an extra low cash depositing fee.
- One of the lowest cash depositing fees on the market
- Clear and simple charging structure
- Access to your account via online and telephone banking.
Standard Tariff
A business bank account ideal for
Businesses looking for a simple and straightforward account charging structure.
- No transactions limits.
- Charges remain constant regardless of balance
- Access to your account via online and telephone banking.
Continue a business account application
Your business already has a business account with us
Continue with a business account application
New customers
Continue with a sole trader or single director application
Continue with a Partnerships, Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships application
Start-up Guide for New Business Owners
When starting a new business, it can be confusing to know where to start. We created a Start-up Guide for new businesses, packed with all the information you need, but didn’t know where to find.
Do I need a business bank account?
Whether you need a business bank account or not depends on the structure of your business, however, most banks, The Co‑operative Bank included, do not allow personal current accounts to be used for business purposes.
A separate business bank account helps you manage your business finances more effectively and can give you access to additional services, such as overdraft facilities or business savings accounts. They also help business owners to keep track of their expenses, as well as managing cash flow.
Already have a business current account elsewhere?
Learn how to switch your business account to us.
The £25 loyalty bonus is paid every year to FSB Members who maintain an active account. The loyalty bonus will only be paid once a year to each FSB member, irrespective of the number of active accounts maintained. The bonus will not be paid on inactive accounts. An account is deemed to be inactive if no customer initiated transactions have been made for 6 months or more, and there is a debit or credit balance of less than £250.
2019 Awards
The Co-operative Bank has been voted the winner of the 2019 'Best Charity Banking Provider' award by Business Moneyfacts, for the fourth consecutive year.
The Co-operative Bank has been voted the winner of the 2019 'Best Service from a Business Bank' award by Business Moneyfacts, for the third consecutive year.
Our customer testimonials
30 months free everyday banking^ makes a huge difference to our business.
Northwest Towbar Centre is a leading supplier of towbars and vehicle accessories based in Stockport. Nick tells us why he chose our Business Directplus Current Account.
Help for existing customers
The Co-operative Bank reserves the right to decline any application.
Whether we can offer you credit depends on your circumstances and our lending policy. We may decline your application based on your circumstances or our lending policy. We may be able to offer a product that's different to the one advertised.
The Co‑operative Bank, Britannia and smile are trading names of The Co-operative Bank plc, which is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Our service quality information
The Financial Conduct Authority requires us to publish information about our business current accounts. View our business current account service quality information.
You're now leaving our wesbsite
You're about to go to https://www.fsb.org.uk/benefits/finance/business-banking. Before you go, here’s a few things to keep in mind:
- The Federation of Small Businesses is an external company to The Co-operative Bank and not part of the same group
- You won't receive any advice from The Co-operative Bank on The Federation of Small Businesses membership or products, we act as an introducer only
- If you require advice on Federation of Small Businesses membership, please contact them directly.
The 30 months free banking offer is only available to new Co-operative Bank customers, based on maintaining a credit balance of £1000 or more, depositing up to 100 cheques and £2000 cash, and writing up to 30 cheques free of charge per month. Charges apply for exceeding the limits specified above, and for any special services used, including stopping cheques, CHAPS payments, etc. Please refer to the tariff for full details.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of The Co‑operative Bank plc are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: The Co‑operative Bank, Britannia and smile. Any total deposits you hold above the limit between these brands are unlikely to be covered.
Please click here for further information or visit www.fscs.org.uk
Cash deposit limit
Free banking covers up to £2000 cash per month free of charge. If you need to deposit more cash, you pay 75p per £100 extra.
Contact us
If you'd like more help & information, you can:
