Bank account, unique IBAN number, open quickly online

[PocketCalculator]

Any suggestions?

I'm contracting in Luxembourg and am startled to find out that my agency is incapable of paying into my Cater Allen account because it doesn't have a unique IBAN number - you have to pay into one single IBAN account and mark it for onywards payment into my account. Apparently they have never heard of this before and are scared to do it.

I tried to open a Cashplus account online and then discovered that they work in exactly the same way.

So: I need to find a very simple business account that I can open online quickly that has a unique IBAN number for my account. Without any stupid paperwork to sign or meeting with an idiot Business Advisor.

Any suggestions???

[tomtomagain]

Any suggestions???

Get another bank account.

I wouldn't want my money going into some generic account.

[SueEllen]

Two banks I can think of who should be able to open accounts quickly for you are Metrobank and HSBC.

Be aware Metrobank only has branches in London and SE and you have to go into a branch to open an account. Their branches are open long hours though.

I would contact both of them by phoning them and find out what documentation you need plus if they are open at a time you can go in, if you come back to the UK for a weekend/few days.

[sal]

I think that at the very least you will have to sign the papers in person, even if you can initiate the process online. As SueEllen suggested one of your best bet is Metro bank as they are opened 7 days a week and do things quite fast. Not sure about their business accounts but for personal account you get the debit card on the spot (they print it at the back) instead of waiting for it to arrive by mail.

[kaiser78]

Any suggestions?

I'm contracting in Luxembourg and am startled to find out that my agency is incapable of paying into my Cater Allen account because it doesn't have a unique IBAN number - you have to pay into one single IBAN account and mark it for onywards payment into my account. Apparently they have never heard of this before and are scared to do it.

I tried to open a Cashplus account online and then discovered that they work in exactly the same way.

So: I need to find a very simple business account that I can open online quickly that has a unique IBAN number for my account. Without any stupid paperwork to sign or meeting with an idiot Business Advisor.

Any suggestions???

Any bank account will have a unique IBAN associated with it - I would go back to your bank and clarify.

[NotAllThere]

Any bank account will have a unique IBAN associated with it - I would go back to your bank and clarify.

Not Cater Allen. It's even mentioned here http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ml#post1859988.

I have an account with a forex service. There is a common account number; you are identified by the reference number quoted.

[kaiser78]

Not Cater Allen. It's even mentioned here http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ml#post1859988.

I have an account with a forex service. There is a common account number; you are identified by the reference number quoted.

Oh dear - so much then for these supposedly business friendly business accounts and introductions that everyone bangs on about etc that cannot even provide a basic service such as being able to send payments. About as basic as it gets !

[PocketCalculator]

Many thanks for your replies. I will have to pop into Metrobank the next time I'm in London, in two weeks. Let's hope the agency doesn't go bust in the meantime...

[SueEllen]

Oh dear - so much then for these supposedly business friendly business accounts and introductions that everyone bangs on about etc that cannot even provide a basic service such as being able to send payments. About as basic as it gets !

Cater Allan isn't a "proper" bank.

Like some some of the smaller building societies, who give people current accounts, their banking is done though another bank. In the case of Cater Allan it is RBS but a few other building societies use HSBC.

The only advantage of them delaying payments is if you are subject to being conned or they think you have, there is sufficient time to query the payment before they let it through.

[SueEllen]

Many thanks for your replies. I will have to pop into Metrobank the next time I'm in London, in two weeks. Let's hope the agency doesn't go bust in the meantime...

Phone them up first and ask what documentation they want to ensure you bring enough.