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Start up businessHow to start a business

Starting a business is rewarding but can be challenging. We can help you with guides, videos, tools and business account options.

Business bank account options

Business Current Account - Small Business Tariff

  • Traditional branch services, plus the flexibility of internet and telephone banking
  • 18 months free Business Banking for Business Banking start-up customers with a projected turnover below £2 million
  • Ideal if you prefer to bank using cash and cheques and want access to a local in-branch Business Specialist
  • Plus, free business support and resources through our online Knowledge Centre

More info

Business Direct Account

  • A business account that is ideal if you prefer the convenience of internet and telephone banking
  • 24/71 fee free banking within transaction limits
  • 18 months free Business Banking without transaction limits for Business Banking start-up customers with a projected turnover below £500K
  • Free online support through our Knowledge Centre

More info

  • Compare the rates and charges for Business Direct and Business Current Account – Small Business Tariff
    Standard account services Business Direct
    Turnover below £500k    		 Business Current Account – Small Business Tariff
    Turnover below £2 million
    Account maintenance fee Free £5.00 per month
    Automated credits Free 19p per credit
    Bill Payment Free 37p per payment
    Branch credits Free 80p per credit
    Branch cash in 2.5% of the value deposited *1 0.60% of the value deposited
    Branch cheque collected 5 per month free, then £1 per cheque 30p per cheque
    Branch counter withdrawal Free 68p per withdrawal
    Branch cash out 2.5% of the value withdrawn *1 0.75% of the value withdrawn
    Cash machine withdrawal Free *2 25p per withdrawal *2
    Cash machine cash out Up to £250 per month free then 2.5% of the value withdrawn *2 0.45% of the value withdrawn *2
    Cheques paid 5 per month free, then £1.35 per cheque 68p per cheque
    Debit Card Free 25p per debit
    Direct Debit paid/unpaid Free 35p per debit/credit
    Internal transfer Free Free
    Internet Bill Payment Free 23p per payment
    Business Internet Banking BACS Payment Free 23p per payment
    Other debits Free 35p per debit
    Standing Order Free 58p per debit

    *1 Paying in and withdrawing cash at branches will be charged at 2.5% because it is not part of our standard Business Direct Service

    *2 This is for UK transactions only. Some self–service machine operators may charge a levy.

18 months free Business Banking for start-ups

We understand that great value is important to you, so when you take out a Business Current Account - Small Business Tariff or Business Direct account with us, you'll benefit from 18 months free business banking, which means:

  • No account fees
  • Free cash withdrawals
  • Free to make payments by cheque, Business Debit Card, Direct Debit, Standing Order or our Bill Payments service
  • Free to receive payments
  • You can also apply for our business credit card that's fee free for 12 months.

All we require is that you choose our Business Current Account - Small Business Tariff or Business Direct. The applicable account tariff comes into effect when your free business banking period (if any) ends.

  • See exactly what you get for free
    Standard account services Description Cost
    Account maintenance fee A monthly charge for the provision of a business current account Free
    Automated credits An electronic credit paid into your account Free
    Bill Payment A Bill Payment which is debited to your account via our telephone banking service and credited to a recipient. Does not include Bill Payments debited to your account via a branch or a postal instruction Free
    Branch credits Credits paid in over branch counter (containing cash and/or cheques) Free
    Branch cash in Additional charge for cash paid in at branch Free
    Branch cheque collected Additional charge for cheques paid in at branch Free
    Branch counter withdrawal Cash withdrawal over branch counter (ie when cashing a cheque) Free
    Branch cash out Additional charge for cash withdrawal over branch counter Free
    Cash machine withdrawal Charge for debit associated with a cash withdrawal from a self-service machine (i.e. one debit per withdrawal) Free *
    Cash machine cash out Additional charge for cash amount withdrawn from self–service machine Free *
    Cheques paid Cheques written Free
    Debit Card A debit to your account following a Business Debit Card payment Free
    Direct Debit paid/unpaid A Direct Debit payment made from or returned to your account Free
    Internal transfer A sterling transfer from one of your accounts to another of your accounts in the same name Free
    Internet Bill Payment A Bill Payment made through Business Internet Banking Free
    Business Internet Banking BACS Payment Charge for each BACS Payment credited to a beneficiary made through Business Internet Banking Free
    Other debits Other types of debit applied to your account (excluding Faster Payments, Electronic Funds Transfers, Priority Payments and Worldpay payments) Free
    Standing Order A Standing Order payment made from your account Free

    * This is for UK transactions only. Some self–service operators may charge a levy.

When the 18 months free Business Banking period ends, the rates and charges for your chosen account will apply. If you find your banking needs have changed at the end of the free period, you can choose a different account that suits you better.

KnowledgeCentre

Launch your business

Use our online Knowledge centreto get off to a flying start by staying on top of key business activities.

BusinessService

Business Internet Banking

Winner, Global Finance award for Best Corporate/ Institutional Internet Banking service in the UK, 2009.

BusinessService

New Business Mobile Banking App for the iPhone®

Now available to download. Manage your finances on the move.

Guide to Business Borrowing

Use our Guide to business borrowing to help you choose the right type of borrowing or finance and prepare a stronger application.

1 Business Internet Banking is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, subject to scheduled maintenance periods.

The links on this page will open a new browser window and may:
i) Allow you to access other websites. Please read the linked websites' terms and conditions. HSBC Bank plc has no control over non-HSBC websites and is not liable for your use of them.
ii) Allow you to access another HSBC Group website. Please read the terms and conditions of the linked website, which may differ from the terms and conditions of HSBC Bank plc's website.



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