Business Directplus current account
Account highlights
New customers benefit from free monthly account fees for 30 months if their balance stays above £1,000. All account holders enjoy UK-based specialist support, a Relationship Manager if eligible, and value-adding partnership services. It’s everything you need: Online. On the phone. On the go.
30 months
No monthly account fee for 30 months for new customers if your balance stays above £1,000; £7 per month thereafter.
Free
Paying in cheques and cash in branch is free for the length of your account holding - limits apply.
Switching
Our Current Account Switch service makes switching fast and free.
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Free accounting integration
Integrate software such as Quickbooks into 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 and tech support.
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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.
Tariffs, fees and conditions
Our Business Directplus account has an introductory offer for new customers who:
- joined the bank less than 30 months ago
- keep their account balance above £1,000.
If your balance falls below £1,000 at any point, you will be charged a different tariff for the monthly charging period.
Find out more about these standard charges, non-standard tariffs, and what they mean by viewing our Business Directplus Tariff PDF.
Free Banking
When you keep your balance above £1,000.
£7 per month
If your balance drops below £1,000 at any point during the free banking period.
And after the 30 months finishes.
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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 Directplus account you and key parties 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 or partnership
- Limited liability partnership
- Limited company.
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 Directplus 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
- details of shareholders and other authorised account users
- 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.
Read and save important documents
Read the following important documents and save copies for your future reference.
Business account terms and conditions PDF
Business Directplus tariff PDF
Standards of lending practice PDF
How we use your personal information PDF
Current account switch agreement PDF
To view information on charging periods and pre-notification dates please visit our account charging page.
Apply for your Business Directplus account
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Less than 45 minutes
Apply online
On average completing the application takes less than 45 minutes. You can 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.
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Within 10 business days
Set up
We’ll post your online login information and security token details within seven to ten business days.
Continue a business bank account application
If your business already has a business account with us:
Continue with a business account application
Or, if you’re a new customer:
Continue with a sole trader or single director application
Continue with a Partnerships, Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships 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 Current Account
For those who prefer to bank online
Only for Sole Traders, Single Directors or Shareholders; from start-ups to established businesses
No monthly service fee
Charges apply for cash, cheque and other special services
Cash Tariff
For businesses who have a high cash turnover
Benefit from low cash handling fees
£10 monthly fee
Standard Tariff
For easy, everyday banking
And a simple charging structure
£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.