Fun with Banks

I’m not really one to rant, but my efforts over the last month or so, opening a new business bank account, have not gone as smoothly as they could have. Some of the highlights of my experience include;

Being told one thing on the phone about providing the appropriate identification and proof of address – only to arrive with these documents and then be told that a utility bill is all that is required. Which is easier said than done when you’ve just moved to London and only been there 2 days.

On arriving at the bank, suited and booted ready to talk about my business plan and company, a serious question arises? Since the company was registered in N. Ireland – was N. Ireland part of the UK? even if it is – can the bank open a business account for a company that isn’t on the mainland ?

It turns out that in order to resolve these issues; the bank must make a call to their support centre in India. That’s right, India… Only after the helpful call agent had questioned us on whether N. Ireland was/wasn’t on the UN. sanctioned countries list – with Syria, Iraq and N. Korea – could we proceed.

Days pass as I wait for a utility bill to prove my new house address in London, weeks go by, and nothing can be done with the account. I finally get it and send it to them and what happens? They open the account, cheque book, debit card, pin etc. and mail it all in several different packs to Companies House in Belfast, N. Ireland ! Thanks to the postal strike in Belfast they were not able to forward anything back to me, or even confirm they had all the letters. Solution – cancel everything and send to the correct address in London.

Well the rant is over, I’ll not go naming and shaming here, but the Bank under scrutiny is a well know high street firm.