[cleaniac]

I haven't taken a cheque in 6 years now.

[colin bird]

I trade as a limited company and bank with Santander £7.50 a month fixed fee
Has worked well for me over the past few years

[Crystal-clear]

I trade as a limited company and bank with Santander £7.50 a month fixed fee
Has worked well for me over the past few years

I hear a lot about this Santander. Seems to be Barclays or Santander obviously Santander for the extra pound is probably better because I do get checks but then they have all these bank closures little bit worrying lol? Don't want the bank to close with your money ha

[Klean07]

Like a few on here I put everything through my personal current account including Bac's and standing orders for free! I started off with a business account but got fed up with being ripped off and paying same fee's as bigger companies that employ 1'000's!

[zesty]

If your a sole trader, have a normal current account and be done with fees.

There really is no reason what so ever to have a business account if your a sole trader!

I got my mortgage being a sole trader with a current account - no questions asked. That’s the only reason I can think of as to why people may think they ‘need’ a business account?

If your worried about sorting the tax, then just open two current accounts. One for business, and the other as spending money, just transfer x amount to the spending account each month. Simple, and no fees!!

[AuRavelling79]

I have an HSBC business account and a joint HSBC personal account with Mrs. Platinum.

Cash I now pay direct into the joint personal account for free.

The business account costs £5.50 per month plus ...

BACS in and out of the business account is free.

Cheques are 90p per paying in transaction plus 40p per cheque so (e.g.) if I pay in three cheques at once it costs 90p + 1.20 (3 x 40p) = £2.10 so 70p per cheque; if six cheques then 90p + 2.40 = £3.30 so 55p per cheque.

I now only pay in cheques about twice a month but usually only when I have more than half a dozen at once. However, as I only pay in about 12 cheques a month I'm not too bothered as they are withering on the vine anyway.

I stay with HSBC because they are only just over a mile away from home and it's convenient - my total bill per month has dropped from £20-£30 to £10-£15 as cheques drop off and I pay cash in to the joint account.

[Crystal-clear]

Of course as a sole trader you do not need a business account that's how I've been for many years .The reason why I'm looking at a business account is because I'm looking at going limited things are getting busier. Thanks for the info about HSBC looks like it's Barclays HSBC or Santander. I'm loving the fixed fees I got worried when I heard about this 50 or 80 pence per BACS transaction . Good to hear those are free