bank account

[Pondlife]

Probably too late for you this time, but Abbey are doing a free business banking forever deal.
Quite good internet banking, nothing too flashy, but it works.
Thumbs up from me.

Seconded!

[r0bly0ns]

Carter Allen online banking

They didn't last year (which was why we went with HSBC), but apparantly it was due to be launched early this year, don't know if it has been yet though....

[MickeyP]

I'm just filling in my cater allen application form now and there's a box to tick should you require online banking. HTH

[Lewis]

I use Bank of Scotland. Set up account in a few days. Got internet and telephone banking plus rates of 2% minus base (currently 3.82% AER) on everything. It's free for a year but when I compared to other banks even with charges it was better than the rest because of the high interest rate (for the balances I expect to be in the account). It's the zero interest on balances of <£5000 that put me off Cater Allen.

[TheFaQQer]

Seconded!

Their internet banking is good, but I've had some problems with my account with them.

Took them ages to open it, they didn't send me a card (the only way to operate the account), said that I'd asked not to have a card (which you can't do), and the worst mistake was that they taxed the business account as if it was a personal one!

[VectraMan]

The accountant won't set up the account for you. All they'll do is send you the forms, possibly partly filled out, and you'll still have to send them back with ID etc.

FWIW I got a Barclays account provided by the company formation agent I used, but I always wished I'd just walked down to my local branch. It would have been easier.

[bellymonster]

Just to add the flip side to the Cater Allen praises, I had nothing but trouble with them when opening my account. They took so long I had to cancel the request, but this did not stop them opening an account for me 2 weeks later.

They cashed my cheque and it took 8 weeks and lots of phone calls to get it back. I was promised so many times that it would be sorted and I'd get a call back but it never happened until I threatened the small claims court.

On the other hand I have a contracting friend that has found the service excellent so I might be unlucky.

For speed and service my vote goes to HSBC. Account created within an hour and cheque book & card received within 3 days.

[Old Greg]

I'm just filling in my cater allen application form now and there's a box to tick should you require online banking. HTH

Cater Allen now have on-line banking which works fine, but I still like to phone just for the pleasure of the delightful customer service.

As the OP says, they don't offer interest if you have <5k, but as I always have VAT and CT obligations, I always have >5k in there.

[Bagpuss]

I've been with them for 6 years (back when they were Fleming Premier banking)

The call advisors are superb, and you always get through quickly. The Online banking is a little limited as yet but as Greg says it's a pleasure to speak with them.

9/10

[reddeagle]

I have my personal accounts with barclays and they are grand

does carter allen have walk in braches or is it all over the phone