Best UK Bank Account?

[Kairo]

I'll be opening a website at the start of next month, I've set up an LTD and most other things I need to set up. The biggest problem i'm facing is opening a business bank account. Pretty much everywhere i'm viewing/applying for doesn't accept gambling/betting and even though it's no risk to the banks they don't seem to want to listen.

What banks do people use in the UK? (FSCS protected ideally)

Thanks for any help in advance.

[universal4]

Don't mention the word gambling.

Rick
Universal4

[eaton2003]

Mention you are selling marketing services as a business and not gambling

[drifter8]

I have to agree with the others, do not use word betting, marketing is the key

[metropot]

Perfect practice with Revolut Bank on high volume,
but any Highstreet Bank are welcome,
+1 for Marketing services

[newcustomeroffer]

I'll be opening a website at the start of next month, I've set up an LTD and most other things I need to set up. The biggest problem i'm facing is opening a business bank account. Pretty much everywhere i'm viewing/applying for doesn't accept gambling/betting and even though it's no risk to the banks they don't seem to want to listen.

What banks do people use in the UK? (FSCS protected ideally)

Thanks for any help in advance.

Used a HSBC business account since the start with no issues whatsoever, classified as online marketing so falls into the SEO/PPC agency type category.

[Lee1]

Starling Bank is a good shout. Rapid set up and pretty decent. Like the above have mentioned, just tell them you're anything but gambling/betting.

[tomgalanis]

Per the previous posters, but one thing they'll likely ask you as part of their due diligence is about the markets you'll be receiving payments from as part of their AML due diligence. Invariably these will be based in offshore markets. EU obviously fine, but they may have more questions around Caribbean islands so be prepared to answer those. When I went through it, I thought it best to be fairly honest...

[tufty]

Quite stupid to have gone to a bank and mentioned betting, surely it is obvious to avoid this. I hope your company name is generic and does not have mention or implication of gambling. That would be doubly foolish. If so, change its name now - easily done. Obviously just say it is for marketing and never mention betting. The only UK bank that has ever given me an issue, and only after many years is Santander. Their interpretation of the newish anti-money laundering rules was very strict recently, at least in my case. They began to look at every transaction and then the sources being gambling companies became obvious. They phoned me several times and weren't satisfied with my explanations - it was hard to argue away bookmakers' names against payments to a business account. I closed the account, my main business account too, before I was inevitably closed down. So absolutely avoid Santander and definitely ensure you have several UK bank accounts opened, even if only one is for business and the others are personal. So if they do close a business account, you at least have other accounts to divert payments to in the short term.

[Agit8or]

Don't follow me - I joined Tide as they set up the company/opened the account in one online session!

Sounds good.

Until you get in and realise they don't give out IBAN or Swift Codes....try setting up a IA account without those!

Richard