Are you self employed and recently opened a back account?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Is it just me getting the third degree? They just can’t seem to cope with my answers and I’m getting stressed with how difficult it is getting. I haven’t opened a new account in 15 years and it was before I was SE so not sure if this is normal or not.

A business account or personal? What's the issue? Are you applying for credit or just a bank account?

Personal- just a bank account. Things like I don’t have a separate business address, a business bank account and I don’t have a set payday?

No credit at all, I don’t even want an overdraft.

Go to Monzo.

Monzo?

Which bank(s) have you tried?

First Direct only which I thought would be a good bet since I’m already with HSBC.

DH became self employed last year and opened up an account with Halifax- did it online, took next to no time at all.

Presumably he gave details of his employment at the time/ previous three years? I’ve been SE for 10 years.

Santander are the best deal for me. £7.50 a month after the 1st 2 years of trading. All sorted quite speedily. You can pay in at machine or at post office. They did a good comparison on their website for charges per transaction etc. Opened my account a couple of years ago now. Personal account not with them, though.

I don’t want a business account though Blue, I’d just like another personal account.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat Well, no, he'd just become self employed so told them that, along with his estimated income, and they set the account up straight away online. I dont recall him having to give 3 years worth of income, why would he to set up a standard bank account with no overdraft or credit facility.

That’s what I don’t understand. That’s all I’m applying for too. I have to give my gross/ net income, profits and be prepared to provide tax returns/ accounts if needed.

I suspect their issue is that you are basically looking to run a business account via a personal account

Why dont you have a business account?

Haha, good luck. I tried to open one for our business (we're abroad ) and they just go silent.
A business account is not a legal must for the self-employed. Banks would like you to believe that as they can charge even for receiving payments.

In the end I ended up with TransferWise: no fees (only for what you do) and always the swiftest of service. And if you exchange between currencies, you get the latest exchange rate too (÷ feesobv.). Definitely better than any bank.

Only downside is that they don't have a card (yet).

I'm self employed and have never needed a business account. You only need one if you have a registered company and have to submit full accounts to companies house.
Sole traders, use your own account. You don't have to have payments made in your 'business name'.

Why dont you have a business account?

I’m not looking to use it as a business account. And I don’t have one because I have no need to, it’s not the maw to have one so why would I fork out expensive fees for one? I would just like another personal account, as I’ve said.

Self employed 14 years opened a new bank account in Feb ( two actually savings and current) no problem at all. I went to NatWest just need utility bill and photo I/d.

I think I might have to apply to my current bank for another one, they know me already at least.