Companies House and Bank Accounts.

287 and 288a? 4 to 5 working days? If it's an "off the shelf" company (where the current directors are Company Formations Ltd or whatever) I don't see why there should be any hold ups. Try it and see.

You can always apply for a business bank account.

The bank may well want to know your company registration number, if you are trading as a limited company, but if you explain the situation, most will open the account provided you provide that fairly quickly.

I don't know how long they will take to process the forms, but Companies House tend to be more efficient than some other government organisations.

In article , Troy Steadman writes

The bank will not be impressed if Mr Jones and Mr Smith apply for an account in the name of Jones & Smith Limited and the bank's search reveals that the shareholders are Company Formations Number One Ltd and Company Formations Number Two Ltd and the director is Company Formations Number One Ltd and the secretary is Company Formations Number Two Ltd.

The bank won't open the account until the correct information is filed and available for search.

In my experience banks are used to this issue arising and it does not create a problem - just another admin thing to tidy up.

"Hzatph" wrote

While the "admin gets tidied up", do they allow them to operate the account?

In article , Tim writes

No, the a/c application is put on hold until the correct information shows on a company search.

"Mr X" wrote

So isn't Hzatph's comment misleading??

In article , Tim writes

As he says, it is an "admin" problem. But it is a simple problem that will delay the opening and operation of the new a/c until the Bank is happy.

And nowadays it is much harder to keep a bank "happy" than it was in the past.

I remember the days when a director of a company could walk into any bank with a completed company mandate and a copy of the articles and memorandum and a £10 note and have an a/c or two opened the same day.

With no ID required either. Happy days!

Thanks, all. So we seem to be thinking that it's best until Companies House process completes before opening an account in the company name.

For the record, I am the director with the company formation agent remaining as nominee secretary.

In article , Nowt writes

I don't suppose it really matters. It is only an admin delay. About a week at most. Companies House are very efficient with filings nowadays.

Shouldn't be a problem. The bank may ask you for an explanation.

About 3 years ago I opened a company bank account with myself as a director and the other director was under 18 years old.

The bank did a search and said they weren't happy about an under 18 director and would I please appoint another director over 18!