Business banking

[Pluvia]

I'm sick of HSBC, where I've held my business account for more than a decade. I've just had to wait 40 minutes to have a barely audible conversation with one of their people based in a call centre where the back ground noise is so bad we were both shouting at each other and at one point it sounded as if there'd been a major explosion. Three years ago I employed someone to handle all aspects of my business, including banking. We went together to the bank to sign forms giving her full control of the bank account (I continue to keep an eye on things remotely). We've done it three times now because HSBC never seems to register that she has full say and she often has to involve me.

I've had enough. Does the bank you do business with offer you a good service?

No one here have a business bank account they're happy with?

I've been with Santander for years and I'm really happy. Plus I get cashback on my account every year 😁

What are the Santander call centres like? How long do you have to wait till you can speak to someone on the phone? Are the call centres based in the UK or will I end up having to spell every word? (I speak fairly unaccented BBC English and still the last call centre assistant struggled to understand what I was saying).

I think I've only ever had to call them once in the ten years I've had the account (which is saying something about how few issues there are) but I can say with utmost certainty that all of their call centres are UK based, in Bradford, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Belfast and Glasgow. The major branches have business banking advisers in them also.

We use Counting Up for our business account. It’s online, so not a brick and mortar bank. Very happy with it. Our accountant gives us 50% discount on the companies house filings and tax returns because it automatically tracks every expense in correct categories and we simply give him read only access to the account.

countingup.com

That's interesting: I'll have a look at them. I have two people working for my small business, both of them formally authorised to call the bank if there's a problem. We've filled in all the paperwork required to give them security clearance and access and they have their own security ID etc. And HSBC still won't let them cancel a DD or cancel a payment made erroneously and insists on speaking to me about it, even though I've delegated this. The other day one of the trade bodies I have a membership with doubled its subscription and I asked the book keeper (who is one of those authorised to manage the bank account) to cancel it. The bank refused to recognise her security log-in (yet again) and froze the account until I phoned, waiting 40 minutes for someone to answer, and went through a whole security check rigmarole that took another 20 minutes. This happens every few weeks. Earlier this year I took both staff (equipped with ID) into the local HSBC and we've went through the authorisation process and filled in all the forms again, and still they are not permitted by the bank to manage the account.

HSBC reduced me to tears once
The branch staff were saying how awful I was being treated and they tried to help but “computer said no” and my account was threatened with closure for no good reason.
I switched to Yorkshire who were brilliant but they sold to Virgin and while they are ok they aren’t quite as good.
I am thinking of switching to Starling or Monzo. I have heard good things about Chase as well

Bank of Scotland - staff are lovely on the phone including being well up for a long chat about dogs.

Starling. I’m very happy with them and recommend them to everyone

I saw HSBC came bottom of the business banking league. I'm not surprised (am also with them and they are dreadful. They froze my entire account for months last year for something that was their mistake!).

Starling topped the business banking league followed by Monzo

I bank with Santander and Starling, with Santander being my main business bank. I'm pretty happy with them. My needs are fairly basic, although I have a lot of transactions and use their online banking a lot.

I use Lloyds and have for 6 years, really easy to get through to the UK based call centre in the mornings, but rarely have to call.

I feel your pain, HSBC are rude and I had the same issue in beach they can't do anything for you at all.

I bank with starling now who are great.

Not a fan of Santander here. We went with them as we were promised a business manager. I spoke to her once before she went off on the sick never to return and was replaced by someone who's never been in contact for 8years. We also used them for the convenience of banking at the post office - all the post offices locally have since closed and our local santander branch won't deal with cash - have never heard anything like it.

Yes, me too- I have a starling business account and a personal account and they’re great. Everything just works. Also only takes a few minutes to set up (hsbc told me that even to give me an account number to pay into would take 3 weeks 🙄)

Starling here. They’re very helpful and the service is excellent.

I understand that the thread is from a year ago, but the challenges you faced with HSBC's service are still relevant. Even though some time has passed, finding a business bank that offers efficient and reliable service remains important.
If you haven't already, it's never too late to explore other banking options. Checking out the info on the fastest business bank accounts can be really helpful.
Remember, your time and the smooth operation of your business finances are crucial, so don't hesitate to explore different banks to find one that better suits your needs.