Account opening
Single Directors and Sole Traders could receive their account details within two days
Our Business Current Account benefits from:
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Free software integration
Integrate your accountancy software like Xero, Sage or Quickbooks within your online banking
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Free payment request app
Go Get Paid, the free, simple and secure app to help you get paid on time
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Free support tools
Start up guides, articles on the Business Exchange, free webinars and fraud education
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UK-based help and support
Specialist business advisers on the phone and The Co-operative Bank Business Help app
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Business services
Partnership service offerings include insurance, sustainability tools, merchant services, HR tools and tech support
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A choice of ways to bank
Online and in-person banking including mobile, instant secure messaging, telephone and in-branch
Ready to apply?
Check your eligibility and apply.
Tariff and fees
Our Business Current Account has no monthly account fee for the period which you hold your account. And, digital transactions are free, making this account a great option for people who prefer to bank online.
Cash and cheque transactions attract a fee, along with specialist services. You can read the full tariff of fees and charges in the Business Current Account Tariff PDF.
Free digital transactions
Charges apply for cash and cheque transaction and other special services, e.g. foreign and CHAPS payments
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Savings
You can apply for one of our savings accounts during your application for this bank account.
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Overdrafts
During your account application, you can also apply for an arranged overdraft for cash flow and short term borrowing.
How to apply
Please note: Your application is subject to status. This means we’ll assess your financial circumstances and complete credit checks.
If you’ve already started an application you can continue it here.
Check if you’re eligible
To be eligible for the Business Current Account you and key individuals must be:
- 18 or over
- A UK resident with a business address in the UK
- Free from county court judgements (CCJs), bankruptcy and individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) over the last six years
- Free from missed payments on any personal credit obligations in the last six months
You or your organisation must be either a:
- Sole trader
- Limited company that is owned or controlled by one person
If your organisation is a limited company, the following must be true:
- The director has never been disqualified
- The business has never been subject to insolvency or an intention to dissolve
- The business has not had a negative net worth in the last set of financial accounts
Your application is subject to status. This means we’ll assess your financial circumstances and complete credit checks.
Not eligible for this account?
You may be eligible for one of our other accounts.
Find out what you need to apply
To apply for the Business Current Account, you'll need:
- your business details, including tax information, expected turnovers, existing business current account details (if applicable), funds received by your business, and your Companies House registration number
- a form of identification, such as your passport or driving license
- a device (such as a phone with a camera) to take and upload a photo of yourself so we can verify your identity during the application process
- change giving requirements (if you’re requesting change giving facilities).
As a provider of UK business bank accounts, we have agreed to a basic set of information we’ll need from you to set up your UK business current account.
Find out what you’ll need to provide using the business banking checklist from UK Finance.
View UK Finance’s guide to opening a business account
Read and save important documents
Read the following important documents and save copies for your future reference.
Business account terms and conditions PDF
Business Current Account tariff PDF
Standards of lending practice PDF
How we use your personal information PDF
FSCS information sheet and exclusions list PDF
Current account switch agreement PDF
To view information on charging periods and pre-notification dates please visit our account charging page.
Criminals recruit people to help them hide their criminal profits
Never open a bank account in either your name/business name for someone else to use, or agree to move money through your account for someone else – even if they offer you money in return. If you do this, you could be committing a crime with serious consequences.
Apply
Application timeline
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Less than 45 minutes
Apply online
On average completing the application takes less than 45 minutes. You can also save it to complete later.
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Within 5 business days
Get a decision
We aim to give decisions within five business days. If approved, your account details will be ready at the same time.
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Within 10 business days
Set up
You will receive your online login information and security token details within seven to ten business days of application approval.
Continue a Sole Trader or single director application
Already have a business current account somewhere else?
Our Current Account Switch Service makes switching your account simple, fast and free.
Learn how to switch your business account to us.
Not found what you were looking for?
Business Directplus
For those who want a choice of how they bank
Suitable for businesses of all sizes
Free for 30 months, then £7 per month thereafter
Banking limits and minimum balance apply
Federation of Small Businesses account
An account built for small businesses
No monthly service fee
Banking limits apply
Cash Tariff
For businesses who have a high cash turnover
Benefit from low cash handling fees
£10 monthly fee
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 read further information on the FSCS scheme here or visit their website.