what is the best business bank account?

[newadventures]

I am a marketing consultant and just set up as a ltd company.

I have secured some work and now need a business bank account.

Can anyone recommend a good one? Moneysupermarket has given me some thoughts but I would welcome any direct experiences from anyone out there?

Thank You

Guess it depends what you need it to do but my Santander one is good for me. Its free as long as you are in credit. I ask very little of it though so couldn't recommend it from a customer service, credit facility etc POV as I've never really experienced that side.

I went with Santander too since it was free, and I really just need the basics of being able to cash cheques, pay things by debit card etc. have no complaints so far.

My DB recommended Santander as they were free but I have heard of people having bad customer service experience with them. I use HSBC, which is free for 18 months and after that only minimal charges for the services I will use (paying in chqs mainly) and the lady who opened the account for me was lovely and really helpful (even made it a new business account rather than a transfer, so I got 18 months instead of 6)

I'm also with HSBC - with 18 months free

Santander are fine so long as you NEVER have to contact customer service - at which stage you'll want to gnaw your own leg off.
ALSO there are rumours that the free banking ends later this year.

My company account is with the Co op through the FSB scheme and is free.

From the point of view of support NatWest does it for current in the process of borrowing eye watering amount of money and my relationship manager is fab. You could have knocked me down with a feather when he told me the other day that he felt it would be better for me if I worked from home somedays and that the bank felt it was important that I had a good work life balance.

Thanks for the advice. My accountant recommended Santander and my mortgage is with them so might go with them...

We went with HSBC in part because of the free banking but had some initial (non-banking) problems and they couldn't have been more helpful. Having chosen to leave Santander where my partner had previously banked they could not have been less helpful trying to get his money out, close accounts & get references etc ! Have also heard generally that their customer service is poor.

I would also look at the bank you have your personal account with as I presume this can make it quicker & easier to transfer money between accounts.

Thanks everyone!