Best Business Bank Accounts With No Credit Check

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If your small business is fairly new, or it has encountered financial problems in the past resulting in a damaged credit score, you might be looking for a business account that doesn’t involve a credit check. These accounts offer day-to-day payment services for your business – although you won’t be able to get an overdraft or access any credit.

We’ve analysed a range of business accounts (July 2024) where the provider won’t carry out a hard credit check when you apply. You’ll find more about ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ credit checks below.

When comparing accounts we considered the functions and services offered and any fees or charges. We also looked at how the account can be operated to arrive at our round-up of the best. Full details can be found in our methodology, below.

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  • Market-wide survey of leading business bank account providers
  • Rigorous assessment of account features and costs
  • Thorough analysis of pros and cons

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Top business accounts with no credit check in 2024


Best for mobile banking

Revolut Business Basic

Revolut Business Basic
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App, Online

Revolut Business Basic
Open Account

On Revolut's Website

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App, Online

Why We Picked It

Revolut’s Basic Business account comes with no monthly fees, and account holders can make up to five UK bank transfers each month free of charge. When this limit is exceeded, each transfer costs 20p. Transfers to another Revolut account are free.

International payments are also charged on a pay-as-you-go basis, costing £5 each.

The account could be a good option for companies that regularly do business abroad, since customers can hold and spend multiple currencies.

The app provides a detailed breakdown of cash flow, can be used to generate invoices and is compatible with accounting software including Xero and QuickBooks. Revolut have also introduced a ‘Tap to Pay’ function, which allows businesses to accept in-person contactless payments from an iPhone.

Revolut also offers fee-charging accounts that provide extra free transactions each month, and allow multiple users to be added to the account. All accounts can be opened and managed through the Revolut app.

It’s worth noting that Revolut is not a bank but an e-money institution. This means that money held in a Revolut account is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Instead, money is ‘safeguarded’ — placed in a trusted bank, invested in low risk assets, or protected by an insurance policy. This ensures that if Revolut fails, the company has sufficient funds to return all its former customers’ money.

However, since Revolut received its UK banking licence in July 2024, FCSC protection will be in the pipeline.

Pros & Cons
  • No monthly fee
  • 5 free UK transfers per month
  • Create invoices in app
  • Compatible with accounting software
  • Hold multiple currencies
  • No overdraft facility
  • Fees for international payments
  • No FSCS protection

Best for building business credit

Zempler Business Go

Zempler Business Go
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

Yes

Access

App/Online

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed overdraft limit of £2,000 the representative EAR is 59.90% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Zempler Business Go
Open Account

On Zempler's Website

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

Yes

Access

App/Online

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed overdraft limit of £2,000 the representative EAR is 59.90% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

Zempler’s’ Business Go account is free to open and maintain. It can be opened and managed online or through a dedicated app, which is compatible with major accounting software including Xero, Quickbooks and Sage.

Although Zempler doesn’t have physical branches, you can make deposits into your business account at any Post Office branch, although there is a 0.5% charge for cash deposits.

It’s free to set up direct debits and standing orders, and to receive bank transfers. Account holders can also make three bank transfers per month for free, but any subsequent transfers come with a 30p fee.

To make saving for upcoming expenses or tax season more streamlined, Zempler offers in-app savings ‘pots’ ring-fenced from the remainder of your balance, along with invoice and spending report creation tools.

The account comes with an overdraft facility, on an invitation-only basis. Through this, you can borrow up to £2,000 — and the first £5 of any borrowing is interest free.

Bear in mind you’ll be charged an interest rate that ranges between 19.9% and 69.9% EAR (variable), along with an annual fee from £50 to £150.

You can also upgrade to Zempler’s Business Extra account at any time for £9 per month. This account includes a Credit Builder tool, which allows customers to improve their business credit score by committing to pay their monthly fee on time each month for 12 months.

Pros & Cons
  • Planned overdraft up to £2,000
  • Deposit cash at any UK Post Office
  • Order up to 20 additional debit cards
  • App compatible with accounting software
  • Bank transfer fees
  • High interest overdraft

Best for business cashback

ANNA Money Business Account

ANNA Money Business Account
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App

ANNA Money Business Account
Open Account

On ANNA's Website

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App

Why We Picked It

ANNA’s pay-as-you-go business account can be opened and managed in the company’s app, and comes with no monthly fee.

It’s free to receive card payments in any currency and to set up direct debits or standing orders.

Local bank transfers cost 20p, ATM withdrawals are charged at £1 each, and there’s a 1% fee for cash paid in (which can be done at PayPoint locations across the UK).

However, account holders may be able to recoup some of these costs, since ANNA offers 1% cashback on select business spending, including train tickets and food.

The app automatically generates invoices, and will remind you when payments are overdue. Each ANNA business account comes with a unique payment link — a URL that customers can follow to quickly pay you without needing your bank details. Bear in mind that when this payment link is used, you’ll be charged a 1% commission.

There are paid accounts with enhanced features, starting from £14.90 a month plus VAT.

It’s also worth noting there’s no overdraft facility on this account.

Pros & Cons
  • Personal payment link for online customer payments
  • Automatic invoice creation
  • 1% cashback on select business spending
  • No overdraft facility
  • Bank transfer fees
  • Not compatible with accounting software
  • No FSCS protection

Best for sole traders

Mettle By NatWest

Mettle By NatWest
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App

Mettle By NatWest

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App

Why We Picked It

Mettle by NatWest is a free business account aimed at sole traders and small businesses.

There is no monthly fee, and you can send and receive bank transfers, set up direct debits and standing orders, withdraw cash, and make card payments free of charge.

The account is available online or through an app, which can be used to generate invoices, schedule payments, and chase late payments with automated reminders. It’s also compatible with accounting software such as Xero and QuickBooks, and includes free membership with FreeAgent (worth over £150 per year).

The app also allows you create separate ‘pots’ of money to save for expenses such as tax or new equipment without having to open a separate account.

Bear in mind there are some limitations on who can open a Mettle account. Only sole traders, or limited companies with up to two owners, are eligible. The account also comes with a maximum balance of £1 million.

This account does not include an overdraft facility.

Pros & Cons
  • Free bank transfers
  • Create invoices in app
  • App compatible with accounting software
  • FSCS protection
  • No overdraft facility
  • Limited eligibility

Best for accounting software

Tide Business Account

Tide Business Account
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App/Online

Tide Business Account
Open Account

On Tide's Website

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

No

Access

App/Online

Why We Picked It

The Tide Business Account is aimed at UK businesses registered with Companies House, as well as UK-based sole traders and freelancers.

Although there’s no monthly fee on the basic account, you will be charged 20p per bank transfer, and £1 for cash withdrawals. You’ll also be charged £5 a month per extra expense card you order for your employees. Making debit card payments and setting up direct debits and standing orders is free.

Tide offers paid-for business account plans with extra features, starting from £9.99 a month

Rather than a traditional bank, Tide is a business finance platform that operates solely online. You can create and manage an account through the Tide app, and there are no physical branches — however, you can make cash deposits at any branch of the Post Office (incurs a 0.5% fee, minimum £2.50), or PayPoint (incurs a 3% fee) .

The Tide app is compatible with accounting software including Xero, Sage and Quickbooks. It also offers its own in-built accounting software, Tide Accounting, which costs £9.99 per month (plus VAT).

This account does not have an overdraft facility.

Pros & Cons
  • Deposit cash at any UK Post Office
  • App compatible with accounting software
  • Order up to 50 company expense cards
  • No overdraft facility
  • Bank transfer fees
  • Monthly fees for employee cards

Best for customer service

Monzo Business Lite Account

Monzo Business Lite Account
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

Yes

Access

App/online

Representative example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed overdraft limit of £2,000, interest is charged at 39.00% EAR. Representative EAR 39.00%. Subject to financial status.

Monzo Business Lite Account

Monthly fee

£0

Overdraft facility

Yes

Access

App/online

Representative example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed overdraft limit of £2,000, interest is charged at 39.00% EAR. Representative EAR 39.00%. Subject to financial status.

Why We Picked It

Monzo’s Business Lite Account has no monthly fees and UK bank transfers are free. You can get spending notifications and there’s a 24/7 in-app customer support, along with app integrations with accounting software such as Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks. Fee-free spending overseas. There is a £1 charge to pay in cash at PayPoint, and each individual deposit must be between £5 and £300.

Bear in mind that account holders can only deposit up to £1,000 every six months so this account is unlikely to suit businesses that deal with a lot of cash. It isn’t possible to manage the account over the phone and there are no branches.

There’s also an overdraft facility, which allows customers to borrow up to £2,000 at a representative APR of 39.0%.

Elsewhere, customers can open a linked instant access savings account, currently paying 1.60% AER (variable).

Customers voted Monzo the 2022 Best Business Banking Provider (British Bank Awards).

Monzo’s Business Pro account offers enhanced features, including invoicing and multi-user access, and a tool for automatically setting aside tax payments, all for a £5 per month account fee.

Pros & Cons
  • No monthly fee
  • Fully regulated UK bank
  • Free bank transfers
  • Award-winning 24/7 in-app customer support
  • £1 charge to pay in cash at PayPoint
  • Limited cash deposit allowance
  • No invoicing link up

Methodology

We’ve ordered these business accounts based on the affordability of their fee structures and whether they offer business-forward functionalities such as invoice generation.

Additional features such as integration with accounting software and access to additional cards, have also been considered. We used the independent website Nerdwallet for some of the best account options, cross-referencing them against providers.

Account details are correct at the date of publication.


Can I get a business bank account with no credit check?

While it is not usually possible to open a bank account with no credit check at all, the accounts we have listed above use a soft credit check.

Many of the providers in our list above are e-money providers, not banks. It means they can offer business accounts with good functionality for making and receiving payments for your business, but there won’t be any credit facility, such as an overdraft.

A soft credit check has no impact on your credit file and score and it is not visible to other lenders. It is generally used by providers simply as a way of checking your identity and address.

This differs from a hard credit check, which leaves a footprint on your credit report (other lenders can see your application for credit) and can have a negative impact on your credit score, particularly if you are declined for the account.

So effectively, you can get a business account without a hard credit check. This could be helpful particularly if your business has a low credit score or you are keen to ensure it’s not damaged any further.


Can I get a business bank account with bad credit?

It can often be difficult to get a bank account as a business or an individual, if you’re struggled with debt repayments in the past and have a low credit score. But it should be possible to get a basic, day-to-day business account that can be used for everyday transactions, for example.

While you won’t usually be able to access an overdraft or business credit card, many of these accounts offer other benefits for businesses, such as help with generating invoices and other budgeting tools.

These types of accounts can usually be opened fairly easily by a business, even if it has a low credit score. That’s because the business account is not offering any credit or overdraft facility, so there is less risk to the account provider.


How does a business bank account work?

Many business accounts are free to open and don’t carry monthly or annual fees, but they tend to have charges for the transactions you make, such as bank transfers and cash withdrawals. Setting up direct debits and standing orders is typically free, however.

Alternatively, some accounts offer free day-to-day payment transactions but may charge a monthly fee, or transactions are free up to a maximum limit per month.

In a report about small business by research company Mintel, almost half of business owners (44%) said they preferred pay-as-you-go banking. This is where the account holder pays per transaction.

In some cases a business current account may be free to use. It’s important to shop around and compare the accounts on offer before making a decision.


How do I open a business bank account?

Once you have chosen the business account you want you’ll need to apply directly to the account provider. You will usually be able to apply online.

Every account provider will have its own process for opening an account, but you’ll have to give some details about you and your business. If you’ve opted for an account with no overdraft or credit facility, the provider is unlikely to need to carry out a hard credit check. But if you have concerns about this you can ask them.

Providers are likely to request some evidence or proof of your identity and that of the business and it may carry out some searches to verify the information. But, in a straightforward case, an account could be open within a day.


How can I improve my business’ credit score?

Working to improve your business’ credit score can lead to easier and cheaper borrowing in the future.

There are a number of ways you can work on boosting the credit score of your business. Firstly, get hold of a copy of your business’ credit report from one of the main credit reference agencies.

Check all the information held on the business’ credit report is accurate and up-to-date. There is more in our guide to business credit scores.

The following can also help boost your business credit score:

  • pay bills on time. Set up alerts to ensure everything is paid and up-to-date
  • work with your suppliers. If you have a good working relationship, ask suppliers to record your payment history and share feedback with the credit reference agencies
  • keep the business’ finances in a good state. Don’t max out credit cards and overdrafts and try to keep a healthy balance in the company bank account
  • demonstrate your turnover. Do this by using your business bank account regularly (don’t pay business receipts into your personal account) and over a long period of time (this consistency and longevity works in your favour for your credit score)
  • avoid applying for several lines of credit in a short space of time. There will be a hard credit check each time you apply for a loan or credit card and this can reduce your credit score for a time, so aim to avoid doing this too often
  • file full (not abbreviated) accounts to Companies House. (If you are a imited company).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I switch business bank account?

You can switch a business account at any time. If you have a business current account you might be able to use the Current Account Switching Service. This should be quick and straightforward and the banks will handle the switch for you.

But many of theis  e-money providers are not signed up to this service, so in this case you may need to handle the switch yourself.

You can switch your business bank account even if you have a business overdraft. Provided you meet the eligibility criteria for the new account, you can apply for a new business current account and the new bank will deal with your switch.

Can I have more than one business bank account?

There is no limit to the number of business accounts you can open. But some accounts will have their own criteria, so you’ll have to be able to meet these. There could also be some downsides to having more than one account for your business, such as making admin and business tracking more difficult.

If you have more than one overdraft this could also have an adverse affect on your credit score, depending on how you use the lines of credit.

What do I need to open a business bank account?

To open a business account you’ll need personal identification, such as your passport, and proof of your own residential address and your business address. Depending on the account provider’s policy and the account you could be asked to show business accounts and evidence of annual turnover, income and business tax returns, for example.

Can I get an overdraft on a business account if I have bad credit?

You may still be able to get a business current account with a bank if you have bad credit but it is likely to be more difficult and in some cases you could be declined. If you or the business has a low credit score, consider a business account that doesn’t offer a credit facility or overdraft (such as the accounts listed above). These tend to be offered by e-money providers, rather than registered banks.

It may be easier to get a business bank account with your existing personal current account provider (as they can see your financial and banking history), compared to a provider you have not banked with before.

What can I do if I’m refused a business bank account?

If you are declined for a business bank account it’s worth asking the bank for the reasons why. If it is to do with a low credit score, find a business account that doesn’t require a hard credit check and doesn’t offer an overdraft or any credit.

These accounts are generally easier to get. It is also a good idea to take steps to work on the business’ credit score. This will make it easier to find credit in future and put the business on stronger, financial footing.

Are my personal credit score and business credit score linked?

Your personal credit score and your business’ credit score are not linked. However, when you apply for business finance or credit, many lenders may ask to run a personal credit check on the owners and directors.

This is more likely to happen for new businesses and start-ups or where there is insufficient credit information about the business available.

In some cases this personal credit history information and scores can have an impact on the business’ ability to get credit, depending on the circumstances.


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