I have just started contracting via my own Ltd company, before that was using an umbrella for 18 months.
A few people on here recommended Abbeys life time free banking offer, so went for that. What a mistake.
Applied on the 11th of Jan, cancelled 4th of Feb as they still hadnt created me an account! The people who you talk to have no power, nor can they put you through to the team who creates the accounts.
So after a week and a half they ask me to provide proof my trading address is real (remember this is my home address). They suggest a letter from my accountant, who suggests sending them a copy of my invoice. A quick call to Abbey, "Yes that will be fine". Since this had already taken a long time, (and they havent asked for this) I send them a copy of my passport and council tax demand so we dont waste anymore time.
3 Days later, another e-mail comes through saying this has been rejected (the proof not my application) the e-mail (which cannot be replied to) suggest either a bank statement in the companies name with my address, or professional marketing material, or a letter from my accountant.
So I ring the call centre again, explain how Im a new business. The guys says we just need something official, I have my VAT approval letter from HMRC on my table at the time, I ask if that would be ok?
"Yes, it doesnt get much more official than that does it? Fax it to this number so you dont lose any more time"
I think we are getting somewhere here. I ring up, the team have the fax and will be in touch. A few days later, another rejection e-mail.
I ask my accountant to write a letter and fax it, they do this on the Friday. Monday I ring up, "Oh they are looking at faxes sent on Thu, so yours will be tomorrrow"
Same story, tue, wed.
Thursday I ring up Natwest, the person that answers the phone has the authority to create me an account. Im approved instantly, the forms are e-mailed to me, I fill them in, everything is good. I will have a bank account the next day.
The moral of the story is dont waste time on something that is "free" that you never actually get. Abbey seriously are incompetent, if they cant even open an account in a timely fashion can they actually run it?
Rant / warning over.
A few people on here recommended Abbeys life time free banking offer, so went for that. What a mistake.
Applied on the 11th of Jan, cancelled 4th of Feb as they still hadnt created me an account! The people who you talk to have no power, nor can they put you through to the team who creates the accounts.
So after a week and a half they ask me to provide proof my trading address is real (remember this is my home address). They suggest a letter from my accountant, who suggests sending them a copy of my invoice. A quick call to Abbey, "Yes that will be fine". Since this had already taken a long time, (and they havent asked for this) I send them a copy of my passport and council tax demand so we dont waste anymore time.
3 Days later, another e-mail comes through saying this has been rejected (the proof not my application) the e-mail (which cannot be replied to) suggest either a bank statement in the companies name with my address, or professional marketing material, or a letter from my accountant.
So I ring the call centre again, explain how Im a new business. The guys says we just need something official, I have my VAT approval letter from HMRC on my table at the time, I ask if that would be ok?
"Yes, it doesnt get much more official than that does it? Fax it to this number so you dont lose any more time"
I think we are getting somewhere here. I ring up, the team have the fax and will be in touch. A few days later, another rejection e-mail.
I ask my accountant to write a letter and fax it, they do this on the Friday. Monday I ring up, "Oh they are looking at faxes sent on Thu, so yours will be tomorrrow"
Same story, tue, wed.
Thursday I ring up Natwest, the person that answers the phone has the authority to create me an account. Im approved instantly, the forms are e-mailed to me, I fill them in, everything is good. I will have a bank account the next day.
The moral of the story is dont waste time on something that is "free" that you never actually get. Abbey seriously are incompetent, if they cant even open an account in a timely fashion can they actually run it?
Rant / warning over.
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