[dai]

I don't get charged for cheques. I told my bank [HSBC] Years ago that my business was mainly cash and that's how I pay most of my bills.
I told them that most of what I banked stayed in the bank and if they were going to charge me for cheques I would just open an account elsewhere and use it for my business. They relented and just gave me a number 2 account and I have never paid cheque charges since. I get all cheques made out in my name, not the business name and the tax man has never queeried this. It is after all a seperate account that I just use for business. Don't let them bully you. There are plenty of banks that want your money. Dai

[windows_chepstow]

I use the Halifax; it's my own personal account as I can't see how a business account would benifit me yet.  They don't charge for cheques and they still receive a wadge of them each week.

[s.hughes]

I,ve always used my named account and it has never been questioned even though I put money and cheques in the paying slot every night. The bank must know I'm using it for a business nd dont seem to mind.

Steveyboy

[baldeagle]

When I started my business, I attempted to get a business account with the supposedly "Action Bank", whom I'd worked for as an engineering manager for 13 years. Bl**dy useless!
After waiting for two weeks for a phone call that never came, I went into Lloyds TSB, where I'd had a small amount of cash for 3 or 4 years, and asked if I could use the account as a business type of account.
The chap I spoke to said it would be OK, provided cheques were made out to me, and not the business name; like many W/C's mine is almost all cash, and they make no charges.
Speak as you find, I suppose.
Baldeagle in Staffordshire

[thewindowcleaner1]

I use the Halifax,
I had a second deposit account set up and I use this for the bussiness and simply transfer money as needed into number one account simple no charges.

[jsm]

I have a TSB bussiness account - get stung every month big time LOL 

must change soon LOL

[Duke]

me too..stung that is...I have a Nat West Business account.....mainly because everyone else turned me down.....and as my business is nearly all cheques....!
I was thinking of maybe using my little idle building society account instead...I'll have to go see them I guess....

[windows_chepstow]

Unless you're earning good money where you put ALL your earnings into a business account; then pay yourself a WAGE from this account (and employees)  to your personal account - for specific tax reducing reasons (which aren't clear to me at this time in the morning) - I can't see the benefit of having a business account.

Can anyone shed anymore light on the benefits of having a business account?

[s.hughes]

I also do a small bit of office cleaning. I would always introduce my business and give in a spec that was really professional. When I obtained the work I would then mention that all cheques are to be made out to my name not the business. On all the invoices I would mention at the bottom of the page 'Please make cheques payable to blah, blah'. It works really well and I have never had any problem with this.
I also do the same for big account w/c work and there have never been any problem.
Point is, get the work first and then mention it. Always mention it on the invoices.
I have always thought over the years that eventually I would have to get a business account. I will only do this if the bank changes their policy.

Steveyboy

[Paul Coleman]

I have a TSB bussiness account - get stung every month big time LOL 

must change soon LOL

I have an "Abbey" small business account.  It's free banking forever (so they say) if you stay within certain limits.  The limits are 100 cheque deposits per month and £3,000 in cash IIRC.  There are also limits on cash withdrawals but that ought not be an issue if a certain amount is received in cash anyway.  If you go over the limits, the charges are 50p per cheque.  Can't recall the charges on excess cash deposits as that's out of my reach anyway.  I've never yet had to pay a charge.  Even if I have had more than 100 cheques in a month, it's possible to hold a few back to stay within the limits.  If this started to accumulate, they can be put into a personal account and moved over in one transfer anyway.  The main other stipulation is that you keep out of the branch.  It's a cashpoint account - although cheques may be posted.  It can all be managed from the internet anyway.  The only real effort needed is to physically deposit the cash in the cashpoint.  I live near a branch so it's not such a hassle.  It may be more awkward for some though.

[baldeagle]

Can anyone shed anymore light on the benefits of having a business account? 
 
I think the answers to that are:-
1. The bank like it because "It costs more to administer, so we need to charge more" But then, they would, wouldn't they?

2. The Revenue like it because they think that you might get your personal and business affairs mixed up, and that would never do, would it? [If they are judging my maths capability based on how well they can add up, then perhaps they ought to chuck it in].
 

[Paul Coleman]

Can anyone shed anymore light on the benefits of having a business account? 
 
I think the answers to that are:-
1. The bank like it because "It costs more to administer, so we need to charge more" But then, they would, wouldn't they?

2. The Revenue like it because they think that you might get your personal and business affairs mixed up, and that would never do, would it? [If they are judging my maths capability based on how well they can add up, then perhaps they ought to chuck it in].
 

Personally I find it easier to keep business and personal separate if I have a business account.  I did it without one for years but it was more work sorting it out. Unfortunately, business and personal can get intertwined anyway due to items like telephone, vehicle usage, and computer equipment.  Ok , so maybe some people have a vehicle that they use totally for business or a phoneline that is never used for non-business calls but I imagine that most people have to apportion them between business and personal usage.
No two people will work the same though.  What feels OK for one is probably not right for someone else.
All IMO of course  :-)

[Malcal]

Hi All
I have experience of the "ABBEY" and it really is free. so if you want a seperate account give it  e go.
Cheers Mal