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Opening a business bank account quickly

Published - 13 May 2020
Revised - 11 July 2024

Written or reviewed by Libby James, founder of Merchant Advice Service and specialist in merchant payments and complex provider requirements.

FREE • INDEPENDENT • NO OBLIGATION Need help finding the right payment provider?

Tell us about your business, current payment setup and what you're looking to change. We'll use it to understand your requirements before identifying providers that may be suitable.

General payment enquiry
20% complete
1 Business
2 Payments
3 Volumes
4 Requirements
5 Contact
01 · Your business

Tell us a little about your business

Just the basics to start. This should only take a few seconds.

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Optional — this can help us understand your business more quickly.
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General payment enquiry
40% complete
✓ Business
2 Payments
3 Volumes
4 Requirements
5 Contact
02 · Your payments

How does your business take payments?

Choose the options that best describe your current payment setup.

💻 How do you take payments? *

Select all that apply.

How do you take payments?



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💳 Do you currently accept card payments? *

This helps us understand whether you're switching provider or setting up for the first time.

Do you currently accept card payments?
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If you use more than one provider, enter the main one.
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General payment enquiry
60% complete
✓ Business
✓ Payments
3 Volumes
4 Requirements
5 Contact
03 · Payment volumes

Tell us a little about your payment volumes

Estimates are absolutely fine. These details help narrow down providers that may fit your business.

💳 Approximately how much do you take in card payments each month? *

Choose the closest range.

Approximately how much do you take in card payments each month?





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🧾 What is your average transaction value? *

Choose the closest range.

What is your average transaction value?





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🌍 Where are your customers based? *

Select all that apply.

Where are your customers based?




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💰 Which currencies do you need to accept? *

Select all that apply.

Which currencies do you need to accept?



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General payment enquiry
80% complete
✓ Business
✓ Payments
✓ Volumes
4 Requirements
5 Contact
04 · What you need

What matters most in your next payment provider?

Tell us what you're trying to improve, change or achieve.

🎯 What do you need from a payment provider? *

Select all that apply.

What do you need from a payment provider?








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🔎 Why are you looking for a payment provider? *

Select all that apply.

Why are you looking for a payment provider?








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Optional - add any platforms, software or systems that are important to your setup.
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Optional - only add anything that may help us understand your payment setup.
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General payment enquiry
100% complete
✓ Business
✓ Payments
✓ Volumes
✓ Requirements
5 Contact
05 · Your contact details

Tell us how suitable providers can contact you

We'll review your answers and may share your enquiry with suitable payment providers. Where relevant, those providers can then contact you directly about your requirements.

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Free to use

No fee to submit an enquiry through Merchant Advice Service.

✓
Relevant provider introductions

We use your answers to identify payment providers that may be suitable for your requirements.

✓
Direct provider contact

If your enquiry is shared, partner providers may contact you directly to discuss your requirements.

Your contact details

Add your details so Merchant Advice Service and, where relevant, suitable partner providers can contact you about your enquiry.

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We’ll use this to contact you about your enquiry.
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We may use this if we need to clarify your requirements or discuss your enquiry.
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Free to use · No obligation · We will review your requirements and, where appropriate, share your enquiry with suitable payment providers who may contact you directly.

Quick Summary

Searching for a company bank account, fast

When starting a business there are lots of elements to consider, one of the first being opening a company bank account. Without one it can be hard to get the business off the ground and applying for a merchant accountmerchant account is impossible. Businesses looking to open business banking quickly can do so in a matter of hours, depending on the location of the company and the goods or services sold.

Our short guide highlights how to ensure your business bank account application is dealt with quickly and efficiently, meaning you can secure banking fast.

Where to apply for a fast business account

If time is of the essence, choosing your provider wisely can ensure you get your account live ASAP. With online banking options available alongside smaller more flexible banks, it is sensible to consider all options beyond high street providers. For example, smaller banks often receive fewer applications, meaning the underwriting process is dealt with swifter.

 

Can I have business banking approved the same day?

There are providers who will supply business bank accounts on the same day (or next day) of application, others can do so in a matter of hours. The beauty of technology means that underwriting can sometimes be taken care of electronically, meaning that the documentation needed to accompany the application is limited – therefore the account gets approved faster.

Do I need to be incorporated before applying for a business bank account?

You will need to register your company before applying for business bank account. Expect your application to be cross referenced with companies’ house. If you are a Sole Trader, make sure you register with HMRC.

How much does same day business banking cost?

When applying for business banking you’ll be asked to pay a small application fee, to cover administration costs. The cost of the account is then a monthly charge, with additional costs per transaction made – for example paying in cash/cheques or setting up standing order/direct debit.

How Merchant Advice Service can help get business banking quickly

Merchant Advice Service alongside partnering companies can offer business bank accounts which are approved quickly. Speak to us today to start your application.

 

How quickly can I be approved for business banking?

Our partners aim to get you up and running within four hours (Monday-Friday). To ensure you are prepared before applying for a fast business bank account, make sure you have the following;

  • ID
  • Proof of Address
  • Company registration/ proof of business

What to expect when applying for business banking quickly?

After a short online application, you will be contacted via telephone by the underwriting team to discuss your request. Once accepted, your account will be live within a matter of hours.

Quick business bank account for high risk companies

Some high-risk businesses can be accepted for fast business banking, this is reviewed on case by case basis. Speak to our experts today before applying and we’ll be sure to point you in the right direction.

Served notice by your business bank and need a new account quickly?

There can be many reasons as to why you’ve been served notice or declined by a business bank provider such as a new director failed credit checks or the bank updated their risk banding, however this doesn’t mean you won’t get accepted elsewhere. It’s important to find a suitable alternative quickly and efficiently so before applying for a new fast approval account, speak to our advisors. They can help to ensure your application is packaged in a way that maximises your chances of being accepted quickly.

FREE • INDEPENDENT • NO OBLIGATION

Need help finding the right payment provider?

Tell us about your business, how you take payments and what you're looking to change. We'll use your answers to identify providers that may be suitable.

Find suitable payment providers
Libby James – Founder & Payments Expert
Written by Libby James

Libby James is the founder and Managing Director of Merchant Advice Service. Since 2016, she has worked directly with businesses and payment providers across merchant accounts, card processing, payment gateways and complex provider requirements.

Libby specialises in high-risk, declined and harder-to-place merchants, as well as businesses requiring specialist payment methods, integrations or international support. She writes and reviews Merchant Advice Service content, drawing on practical experience gained from real merchant enquiries and provider relationships.

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