Help, Bank is forcing me to open a business account.

emwr

Hi, I have started working as a self employed interpreter for NHS on 'when we have a job we will ring you' basis. I then invoice them once a month. I went to my local HSBC bank to open another bank a/c to keep this seperately from my other stuff, but was refused as their policy is that anybody self employed has to have a 'business a/c' which obviously comes with charges and what is so annoying that you do not need a business a/c if you are self employed. Any ideas how to go around this as I would like to keep all my accounts in one place????? Many thanks

EarthBoy

emwr wrote: »

.. what is so annoying that you do not need a business a/c if you are self employed...

Maybe not with other banks, but it sounds like you do with HSBC. You could try opening another current account online, and not telling them what it's for, but they might query where your income is coming from and close it down when they realise you are self employed.

Your only option might be to open an account elsewhere.

ffacoffipawb

emwr wrote: »

Hi, I have started working as a self employed interpreter for NHS on 'when we have a job we will ring you' basis. I then invoice them once a month. I went to my local HSBC bank to open another bank a/c to keep this seperately from my other stuff, but was refused as their policy is that anybody self employed has to have a 'business a/c' which obviously comes with charges and what is so annoying that you do not need a business a/c if you are self employed. Any ideas how to go around this as I would like to keep all my accounts in one place????? Many thanks

If they insist on that, their "business direct" current account is as near as free, unless you pay in cash or do loads of transactions. I use one as a contractor with my own limited company and have never had to pay any charges.

heloid

ffacoffipawb wrote: »

If they insist on that, their "business direct" current account is as near as free, unless you pay in cash or do loads of transactions. I use one as a contractor with my own limited company and have never had to pay any charges.

I don't pay for by HSBC business account either and the service is good.
Otherwise just go in to different branch and say you want another account for cash management, bills one, expenses another..