Starling business accounts eligibility

Thinking of joining us? Great!

First, you’ll need to check if you’re eligible for our business current account or sole trader account.

Running your own business is full of ups, downs and occasional surprises, and not all banks understand that – but we do. Starling’s business account is flexible and designed to make life easier, with no monthly fees.

Am I eligible?

We review every business on a case-by-case basis so we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to open an account. But generally, you’re eligible if:

You’re a Limited Company or LLP registered at Companies House. General partnerships or charities that aren’t registered as a Limited Company aren’t supported yet.
All Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) of your Limited Company or LLP are UK residents and individuals rather than a company (i.e. no corporate shareholders).
You’re a Sole Trader in respect of your business (meaning you aren’t in partnership with anyone else in relation to your business).
You don’t own, manage or run your business through a separately incorporated legal entity.
All directors with access to the account are UK residents.
The business isn’t a holding company, dissolved, in liquidation or engaged in any activities outlined below.
You meet our standard Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC), fraud and credit checks and processes.

Industries we don’t currently support

Certain industries have higher risks, and unfortunately at this time we don’t support everyone. We are currently unable to offer a current account to customers connected with certain business activities, including the following:

Businesses that regularly make significant cash deposits, see below for more details
Businesses carrying out banking, credit, and other financial services
Businesses that hold client money, such as accountants and solicitors
Defence or weapons (including manufacturing and/or distribution of weapons, explosives or armaments)
Gambling or betting (including the establishment or operation of lotteries or competitions)
Activities undertaken by unregistered or unregulated charities
Dealing in antiques, art, watches, precious metals or precious stones
Dating or escort services
Sale of used vehicles
Pornography or adult entertainment
Distribution of non-licensed drugs (including Cannabidiol/CBD)
Political parties
Mining and commodities
Businesses with an overseas person of significant control, or other beneficial owner
Limited companies with a holding company

Cash limits

For businesses that deal in large amounts of cash, please note:

The business current account cash deposit limit is £5,000/day and £100,000/calendar year.
The sole trader account cash deposit limit is £5,000/day and £20,000/calendar year.

All deposits are subject to a £3 or 0.7% charge (whichever is higher) on the total deposit value. The minimum deposit amount in a single transaction is £3.01.

Find out more

Click on one of the buttons below to find out more about our business account, or our sole trader account.

Apply for an award-winning bank account today and enjoy app-based banking at its best.

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