Opening a Business Banking Current Account

Want to open a Business Current Account?  

Do you -  

  1. Already bank with Santander.
  2. Run a UK registered business.
  3. Have proof of identity and a UK address for everyone you want to include on the business account.  

If you've answered yes to all, we’ve just got a few more questions below.

Please provide one document of personal ID from both lists 1 and 2 below. This is applicable for all entities. 

Please provide one document from list 3. (This is if the trading address is different from the personal residential address).

Proof of ID:

  • Passport – UK/Irish. Must be in date and signed 
  • Passport – Non-UK/Non-Irish with valid right to remain such as Biometric Residence Permit, settled or pre-settled status or a valid Visa. Visitor Visa is not acceptable.
  • Full or provisional UK photocard driving licence. Must be in date. 
  • National ID Card/Citizen Photocard EU/EEA/Swiss with valid right to remain such Biometric Residence Permit, settled or pre-settled status or a valid Visa. Visitor Visa is not acceptable. 
  • Biometric Residence Permit issued by the UK Home Office. Must be in date

Proof of Address:

  • Full or provisional UK photocard driving licence. Must be in date. 
  • UK paper driving licence. Must be in date. 
  • Notification of entitlement to UK state pension or government benefits. Must be the most recent and less than 12 months old.
  • Bank, building society, credit card or credit union or mortgage statement. Must be most recent and less than 3 months old, except annual statement which must be less than 12 months old. 
  • Utility bills (not mobile phone or TV licence) Must be most recent and less than 3 months old, except annual statement which must be less than 12 months old. 
  • Annual council tax bill. Must be the most recent and from the current tax year. 
  • HMRC correspondence including name, address and permanent NI number. Must be less than 12 months old.

Proof of Trading Address:

  • Business current account or Business credit card statement addressed to the business at the trading address less than three months old
  • Utility bill addressed to the business at the trading address less than three months old
  • Signed lease agreement addressed to the business at the trading address must be within the date range covered within the lease agreement
  • Registration documents from supervisory body confirming the trading address e.g. FCA, Solicitors Regulation Authority, etc.
  • Unexpired trading licence issued by a local government authority e.g. taxi licence, premises licence etc.

We’ll also need additional information about your business in support of an application.

What we need to know about your business: 

  • Business name, start date and proof of your current trading address. 
  • Please also provide 3 years trading address history (if applicable). 
  • A detailed description of what your business does. 
  • Anticipated annual turnover for the next 12 months and number of employees. 
  • Details of your income from the business and any other income sources you may have. 
  • If you’re switching from another bank - the last statement including your sort code and account number. We also require annual accounts for established businesses. 
  • If you are VAT Registered, your VAT Number.

A few quick questions to get started

Are you (and any Directors, Owners, Partners and Shareholders) aged 18 or over and a UK resident?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time as you need to be 18 or over and a UK resident to apply.

Can you please confirm what entity your business is?

Are you a Santander customer?

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

Do you have 2 or less account signatories?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time due to the number of account signatories.

Is your business registered in the UK?

We're not able to offer you a business account as your business is not registered in the UK.

Does your business only have customers, suppliers or employees based within the UK?

As you've told us that your business has customers, suppliers or employees based outside the UK, we need further information. Please give us a call on 0330 678 2509. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm. 

 

Can you provide one of the following documents to open your account?

  • Business current account or Business credit card statement dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Utility bill dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Signed lease agreement addressed to the business at the trading address. Must be within the date range covered within the lease agreement.
  • Registration documents from supervisory body confirming the trading address. Like the FCA or Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Unexpired trading licence issues by a local government authority. Like a taxi licence, or premises licence.

Use our quick and easy application checklist (PDF - 105 KB) to make sure you have all the required information before you apply.

To apply for one of our business current accounts, please call us on 0330 678 2509 to book a telephone appointment with one of our Business Banking Managers. Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.

If you’re unable to provide the documents we need, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 so we can discuss your options.

Are you a Santander customer?

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

Do you have more than 2 partners?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time as you have more than 2 partners

Is your business registered in the UK?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time as your business is not registered in the UK.

Does your business only have customers, suppliers or employees based within the UK?

As you've told us that your business has customers, suppliers or employees based outside the UK, we need further information. Please give us a call on 0330 678 2509. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm. 

Can you provide one of the following documents to open your account?

  • Business current account or Business credit card statement dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Utility bill dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • A partnership agreement, or proof that the partnership has been registered with HMRC
  • Signed lease agreement addressed to the business at the trading address. Must be within the date range covered within the lease agreement.
  • Registration documents from supervisory body confirming the trading address. Like the FCA or Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Unexpired trading licence issues by a local government authority. Like a taxi licence, or premises licence.

Use our quick and easy application checklist (PDF - 105 KB) to make sure you have all the required information before you apply.

To apply for one of our business current accounts, please call us on 0330 678 2509 to book a telephone appointment with one of our Business Banking Managers. Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.

If you’re unable to provide the documents we need, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 so we can discuss your options.

Are you a Santander customer?

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

Do you have more than 2 members or partners?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time because you have more than 2 members or partners.

Is your business registered on Companies House?

Before you can open a business account you need to make sure Companies House is up to date.

Does your business only have customers, suppliers or employees based within the UK?

As you've told us that your business has customers, suppliers or employees based outside the UK, we need further information. Please give us a call on 0330 678 2509. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

Can you provide one of the following documents to open your account?

  • Business current account or Business credit card statement dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Utility bill dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Company Registration Number at Companies House
  • If there's been a recent change in the ownership of your company, copies of the relevant Companies House forms must also be given to us
  • Signed lease agreement addressed to the business at the trading address. Must be within the date range covered within the lease agreement.
  • Registration documents from supervisory body confirming the trading address. Like the FCA or Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Unexpired trading licence issues by a local government authority. Like a taxi licence, or premises licence.

Use our quick and easy application checklist (PDF - 105 KB) to make sure you have all the required information before you apply.

To apply for one of our business current accounts, please call us on 0330 678 2509 to book a telephone appointment with one of our Business Banking Managers. Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.

If you’re unable to provide the documents we need, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 so we can discuss your options.

Are you a Santander customer?

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

Do you have 2 or less directors, owners or shareholders?

We can only support two authorised persons (directors, owners and/or shareholders) at this time.

Is your business registered on Companies House?

Before you can open a business account you need to make sure Companies House is up to date.

Does your business only have customers, suppliers or employees based within the UK?

As you've told us that your business has customers, suppliers or employees based outside the UK, we need further information. Please give us a call on 0330 678 2509. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

Are your directors, structures including persons with significant control and your company name correct at Companies House?

Please ensure that you update Companies House before making an application.

Can you provide one of the following documents to open your account?

  • Business current account or Business credit card statement dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Utility bill dated in the last 3 months addressed to the business at the trading address
  • Company Registration Number at Companies House
  • If there's been a recent change in the ownership of your company, copies of the relevant Companies House forms must also be given to us
  • Signed lease agreement addressed to the business at the trading address. Must be within the date range covered within the lease agreement.
  • Registration documents from supervisory body confirming the trading address. Like the FCA or Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Unexpired trading licence issues by a local government authority. Like a taxi licence, or premises licence.

Use our quick and easy application checklist (PDF - 105 KB) to make sure you have all the required information before you apply.

To apply for one of our business current accounts, please call us on 0330 678 2509 to book a telephone appointment with one of our Business Banking Managers. Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday.

If you’re unable to provide the documents we need, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 so we can discuss your options.

Are you a Santander customer?

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

Do you have 3 or less account signatories?

We’re not able to offer you a business account at this time due to the number of account signatories.

Is your club, society or not-for-profit organisation operating in the UK?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time as your organisation is not operating in the UK.

Does your club, society or not-for-profit organisation only have customers, suppliers or employees based within the UK?

As you've told us that your business has customers, suppliers or employees based outside the UK, we’d like to talk about your application with you. Please give us a call on 0330 678 2509. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

Is your turnover below £250k?

So that we can support you further, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 to discuss your application. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

Do you have the documents you need to open this account?

  • A meeting record or letter on headed paper authorising us to open the bank account. Listing all members of the committee of the club, society or not-for-profit organisation and confirming the authorised signatories. This must be signed by 2 of the official members of the committee.
  • A copy of the Constitution or equivalent that sets out the nature, purpose and objectives of the club, society or not-for-profit organisation.

Use our quick and easy application checklist (PDF - 105 KB) to make sure you have all the required information before you apply.

To apply for a Santander Treasurer’s Current Account please call us on 0330 678 2509 to book a telephone appointment with one of our Business Banking Managers. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

If you're unable to provide the documents we need, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 so we can discuss your options.

Are you a Santander customer?

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

Do you have 3 or less account signatories?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time due to the number of account signatories.

Is your organisation a charity operating in the UK?

We're not able to offer you a business account at this time as your organisation isn't operating in the UK.

Do you have the documents you need to open this account?

  • Your Charity Registration Number and a meeting record or letter on headed note paper authorising us to open the bank account.
  • A copy of the constitution or equivalent that sets out the committee or trustees of the registered charity, confirming who the authorised signatures are, and ensure it is signed by 2 of the official Trustees.

To apply for a Santander Treasurer’s Current Account please call us on 0330 678 2509 to book a telephone appointment with one of our Business Banking Managers. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

If you’re unable to provide the documents we need, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 so we can discuss your options.

Are you a Santander customer?

So that we can support you further, please give us a call on 0330 678 2509 to discuss your options. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.

We’re only supporting existing Santander customers who want to open new business accounts right now. If you’re new to Santander, you might want to browse our range of personal bank accounts

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