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Opening a Metro Bank account

What you need to open a bank account for your business

Have these documents ready to get your account opened faster.

We worked with other UK business bank account providers to agree the basic information we need from customers to set up their new account. Check the UK Finance guide to opening a business account for more information.

Please select your business type below for a list of documents we need from you:

Sole Trader

Sole Trader

We will need proof of identity and proof of UK address for everyone involved in opening the business account including:

  • Sole Trader: the exclusive owner of the business. The individual must be a UK resident
  • Account Operators: authorised signatories or nominated persons.

Proof of identity

Show suitable ID documents Hide suitable ID documents

Choose one of the following documents:

  • valid UK/EEA/Switzerland passport
  • valid UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • valid EU member state national ID photocard
  • valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence.

ID must be in-date, undamaged and machine-readable. We don’t accept handwritten or photocopied passports or ID cards.

 

Proof of UK address

Show proof of UK address Hide proof of UK address

Choose two of the following documents:

  • A current UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • A Council Tax bill/demand notice/statement (valid for the current financial year or issued in the last 3 months)
  • A bank/building society/credit union statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • A credit card statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill issued in the last three months or valid for the current tax year). We do not accept P45 or P60 forms
  • A notification letter from the Benefits Agency/your local authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Works and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Universal Tax Credit, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months
  • A current tenancy agreement, from a local council or a recognised letting agency
  • A mortgage statement from a recognised lender, dated within the last 12 months
  • A life assurance/life insurance policy, dated within the last 3 months but outside of the cancellation period
  • A motor insurance certificate, valid for the current year but outside of the cancellation period – we cannot accept cover notes
  • A utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, water, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
  • A TV Licence letter or Direct Debit schedule for a TV licence dated within the last 12 months.

All documents must include your current address, and must contain the unique customer number or reference that you have been given by the sender.

 

Business verification

Show suitable business verification documents Hide suitable business verification documents

For all businesses we need one of the following documents to confirm the name of the business owner, the business’ trading name, and/ or the business’ trading address:

  • A business bank statement (dated within the last three months)
  • A utility bill (dated within the last three months)
  • An invoice from a supplier (dated within the last three months)
  • A letter addressed to Metro Bank from an accountant acting on behalf of your business
  • Correspondence from HMRC (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Business Premises Rates Advice (dated within the last 12 months)

Alternatively, we will visit your business premises (which must be different to your residential address) to verify that it is an established business.

 

We can only accept original documents, not photocopies or printouts.

Limited Company

Limited Company

We will need proof of identity and proof of UK address for everyone involved in opening the business account including:

  • Account Operators: authorised signatories or nominated persons
  • Responsible Individuals: anyone who directly or indirectly controls 25% or more of the capital or profits of the business, or 25% or more of the voting rights. A minimum of 50% of the shareholding must be resident in the UK.
  • Company Officials: we are required to identify a minimum of two company directors where there are two or more appointed. If only one company official is appointed, we must identify them. At least half of the directors must be resident in the UK.

If there are parent companies, entity directors or shareholders then additional information will be required.

If more than 50% of your company shares are owned outside of the UK or the majority of Directors are resident overseas, please refer to our Inward Investment service for further information.

Proof of identity

Show suitable ID documents Hide suitable ID documents

Choose one of the following documents:

  • valid UK/EEA/Switzerland passport
  • valid UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • valid EU member state national ID photocard
  • valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence.

ID must be in-date, undamaged and machine-readable. We don’t accept handwritten or photocopied passports or ID cards.

 

Proof of UK address

Show proof of UK address Hide proof of UK address

Choose two of the following documents:

  • A current UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • A Council Tax bill/demand notice/statement (valid for the current financial year or issued in the last 3 months)
  • A bank/building society/credit union statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • A credit card statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill issued in the last three months or valid for the current tax year). We do not accept P45 or P60 forms
  • A notification letter from the Benefits Agency/your local authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Works and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Universal Tax Credit, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months
  • A current tenancy agreement, from a local council or a recognised letting agency
  • A mortgage statement from a recognised lender, dated within the last 12 months
  • A life assurance/life insurance policy, dated within the last 3 months but outside of the cancellation period
  • A motor insurance certificate, valid for the current year but outside of the cancellation period – we cannot accept cover notes
  • A utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, water, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
  • A TV Licence letter or Direct Debit schedule for a TV licence dated within the last 12 months.

All documents must include your current address, and must contain the unique customer number or reference that you have been given by the sender.

 

We can only accept original documents, not photocopies or printouts.

With your permission, we will carry out an electronic business search at Companies House.

If your limited company is using a ‘trading as’ name or has a trading address we need one of the following documents to confirm the name of the business, the business’ trading name, and/ or the business’ trading address:

  • A business bank statement (dated within the last three months)
  • A utility bill (dated within the last three months)
  • An invoice from a supplier (dated within the last three months)
  • A letter addressed to Metro Bank from an accountant acting on behalf of your business
  • Correspondence from HMRC (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Business Premises Rates Advice (dated within the last 12 months)

Alternatively, we will visit your business premises (which must be different to your residential address) to verify that it is an established business.

Limited Liability Partnership

Limited Liability Partnership

We will need proof of identity and proof of UK address for everyone involved in opening the business account including:

  • Account Operators: authorised signatories or nominated persons
  • Responsible Individuals: any members listed as a ‘Person with significant control’ on Companies House
  • Company Officials: a minimum of two designated members if there are two or more.

If there are parent companies or entity members then additional information will be required.

Proof of identity

Show suitable ID documents Hide suitable ID documents

Choose one of the following documents:

  • valid UK/EEA/Switzerland passport
  • valid UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • valid EU member state national ID photocard
  • valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence.

ID must be in-date, undamaged and machine-readable. We don’t accept handwritten or photocopied passports or ID cards.

 

Proof of UK address

Show proof of UK address Hide proof of UK address

Choose two of the following documents:

  • A current UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • A Council Tax bill/demand notice/statement (valid for the current financial year or issued in the last 3 months)
  • A bank/building society/credit union statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • A credit card statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill issued in the last three months or valid for the current tax year). We do not accept P45 or P60 forms
  • A notification letter from the Benefits Agency/your local authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Works and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Universal Tax Credit, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months
  • A current tenancy agreement, from a local council or a recognised letting agency
  • A mortgage statement from a recognised lender, dated within the last 12 months
  • A life assurance/life insurance policy, dated within the last 3 months but outside of the cancellation period
  • A motor insurance certificate, valid for the current year but outside of the cancellation period – we cannot accept cover notes
  • A utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, water, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
  • A TV Licence letter or Direct Debit schedule for a TV licence dated within the last 12 months.

All documents must include your current address, and must contain the unique customer number or reference that you have been given by the sender.

 

We can only accept original documents, not photocopies or printouts.

With your permission, we will carry out an electronic business search at Companies House.

If your limited company is using a ‘trading as’ name or has a trading address we need one of the following documents to confirm the name of the business, the business’ trading name, and/ or the business’ trading address:

  • A business bank statement (dated within the last three months)
  • A utility bill (dated within the last three months)
  • An invoice from a supplier (dated within the last three months)
  • A letter addressed to Metro Bank from an accountant acting on behalf of your business
  • Correspondence from HMRC (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Business Premises Rates Advice (dated within the last 12 months)

Alternatively, we will visit your business premises (which must be different to your residential address) to verify that it is an established business.

We may require a registered members list to clarify the details of the members and their individual shareholding within the company.

Partnership

Partnership

We will need proof of identity and proof of UK address for everyone involved in opening the business account including:

  • Account Operators: authorised signatories or nominated persons
  • Company Officials: all Partners party to the Partnership

If any partners are entities then additional information will be required.

Proof of identity

Show suitable ID documents Hide suitable ID documents

Choose one of the following documents:

  • valid UK/EEA/Switzerland passport
  • valid UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • valid EU member state national ID photocard
  • valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence.

ID must be in-date, undamaged and machine-readable. We don’t accept handwritten or photocopied passports or ID cards.

 

Proof of UK address

Show proof of UK address Hide proof of UK address

Choose two of the following documents:

  • A current UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • A Council Tax bill/demand notice/statement (valid for the current financial year or issued in the last 3 months)
  • A bank/building society/credit union statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • A credit card statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill issued in the last three months or valid for the current tax year). We do not accept P45 or P60 forms
  • A notification letter from the Benefits Agency/your local authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Works and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Universal Tax Credit, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months
  • A current tenancy agreement, from a local council or a recognised letting agency
  • A mortgage statement from a recognised lender, dated within the last 12 months
  • A life assurance/life insurance policy, dated within the last 3 months but outside of the cancellation period
  • A motor insurance certificate, valid for the current year but outside of the cancellation period – we cannot accept cover notes
  • A utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, water, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
  • A TV Licence letter or Direct Debit schedule for a TV licence dated within the last 12 months.

All documents must include your current address, and must contain the unique customer number or reference that you have been given by the sender.

 

Business verification

Show Business verification Hide Business verification

For all businesses we need one of the following documents to confirm the name of the business owners, the business’ trading name, and/ or the business’ trading address:

  • A business bank statement (dated within the last three months)
  • A utility bill (dated within the last three months)
  • An invoice from a supplier (dated within the last three months)
  • A letter addressed to Metro Bank from an accountant acting on behalf of your business
  • Correspondence from HMRC (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Business Premises Rates Advice (dated within the last 12 months)

The document provided must show the partner's names, the business address and the trading name (if applicable). If your business address is different to your residential address and you can’t provide any of these documents, we will visit your business premises to verify that it is an established business.

Not-for-profit organisations

Not-for-profit organisations

We will need proof of identity and proof of UK address for everyone involved in opening the business account including:

  • Account Operators: authorised signatories or nominated persons
  • Trustees of Registered Charities: two trustees (if five or more exist) OR all trustees (if four or fewer exist), as per the Charity Commission report
  • Key Officials: a minimum of two directors (where the charity is also a Limited Company) or two key officials (where there are two or more) who have signed the Minutes of the Meeting for a club/society/association/charity registered with the Charity Commission only.

If there are parent companies, entity trustees/ officials or associated trusts then additional information will be required.

Proof of identity

Show suitable ID documents Hide suitable ID documents

Choose one of the following documents:

  • valid UK/EEA/Switzerland passport
  • valid UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • valid EU member state national ID photocard
  • valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence.

ID must be in-date, undamaged and machine-readable. We don’t accept handwritten or photocopied passports or ID cards.

 

Proof of UK address

Show proof of UK address Hide proof of UK address

Choose two of the following documents:

  • A current UK full/provisional photocard driving licence
  • A Council Tax bill/demand notice/statement (valid for the current financial year or issued in the last 3 months)
  • A bank/building society/credit union statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • A credit card statement, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of the person and not the business
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill issued in the last three months or valid for the current tax year). We do not accept P45 or P60 forms
  • A notification letter from the Benefits Agency/your local authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Works and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Universal Tax Credit, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months
  • A current tenancy agreement, from a local council or a recognised letting agency
  • A mortgage statement from a recognised lender, dated within the last 12 months
  • A life assurance/life insurance policy, dated within the last 3 months but outside of the cancellation period
  • A motor insurance certificate, valid for the current year but outside of the cancellation period – we cannot accept cover notes
  • A utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, water, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
  • A TV Licence letter or Direct Debit schedule for a TV licence dated within the last 12 months.

All documents must include your current address, and must contain the unique customer number or reference that you have been given by the sender.

 

We can only accept original documents, not photocopies or printouts. 

We need one of the following documents to confirm the name(s) of the entity’ officials, the entity name, and the address:

  • Registered charity: Minutes of the Meeting and Charity Commission number
  • Registered and limited company charity: Charity Commission number and Companies House registration number
  • Club/society/association: Minutes of the Meeting and constitution documents. If there are no constitution documents available, a letter on headed paper with the same information.

Constitution documents must state:

  • the name of your registered charity/club/society/association
  • the purpose of your registered charity/club/society/association
  • the key official roles for your registered charity/club/society/association (e.g. secretary, treasurer, chairman).

Minutes of the Meeting must state:

  • the agreement to open an account with Metro Bank
  • who has been appointed to the key official roles
  • who is authorised to operate the bank account and the account signing rule (e.g. the accounts shall have two to sign authority. Mrs Smith, Mr Bloggs and Mx Doe can sign and Miss Singh will have view only access).

The Minutes must be signed and dated within the last three months, by at least two key officials of the registered charity/club/society/association where there are two or more.