Opening a joint bank account with a business partner is a fairly simple and straightforward process. These days, it’s possible to open joint business accounts online with virtual account providers such as Wise and Revolut. Wise even offers their joint business account for free and even comes with a great multi user access and multicurrency feature.
How to open a joint business account
- Believe it or not, but to open a joint business account, you need an established business. You need your registration details and tax details in order to open a business bank account.
- A joint business account is often opened by one person who becomes the admin of the joint account. You can then invite the other person to become a fellow admin. The usual option here is to open a regular business account.
- If you open a freelancer account or a sole trader account, you often cannot invite fellow admins or have a multi-user account. Most freelancer bank accounts such as Monese will likely not get you a joint business account.
Find out how to open a business bank account in the European Union, in the UK or the United States.
Contents
- 1 Advantages of a Joint Bank Account For Business Partners
- 2 Disadvantages of a Joint Bank Account With a Business Partner
- 3 Opening a Joint Bank Account With a Business Partner
- 4 Best Banks With Joint Account for Business Partners
- 5 Joint Account for Business Partners
- 6 Final Word On Joint Account for Business Partners
- 7 Joint Business Account UK FAQs
Advantages of a Joint Bank Account For Business Partners
Joint bank accounts for business partners have several advantages, including the following;
- You and your partner have equal access to deposit, withdraw, debit card, and chequebook. Apart from streamlining financial logistics, equal ownership helps partners spot mistakes easily and correct them in good time.
- It makes it easier to separate personal and business transactions
- A joint business bank account helps partners have extra Deposit Insurance. This means for a joint account, if you deposit £170,000, you will be insured up to £170,000 (£85,000 each).
- You can easily categorize business expenses in one account. It makes budgeting and paying bills much easier.
- All business transactions are tracked in one place. This helps to keep a close eye on all business activities.
- A joint bank account for business partners makes it easy to compile taxes, since you can track all your credits and debits in one place.
Disadvantages of a Joint Bank Account With a Business Partner
Even with the many benefits of a joint business bank account, there are cons of opening a joint business bank account with a business partner. These include;
- Minimal asset protection. If your business partner fails to settle his/her debts, creditors can choose to satisfy the debt by collecting from the joint business account.
- Both partners are liable for mismanagement. If one partner mismanages the joint account, all owners will be liable for the costs. The mismanagement can be reported to authorities, and you might not be allowed to open a bank account in the future.
- There is no privacy. Both partners can access the account at any time and see all transactions.
Opening a joint bank account with business partner
A joint business bank account requires a level of trust between the business partners. If you want to have an easy time managing your finances, you and your business partner must have the same understanding on how you manage finances, so that you don’t have unwanted surprises.
Opening a Joint Bank Account With a Business Partner
Business partners can open a joint bank account, either in a brick-and-mortar bank or online banks. First, you will need to agree on how you will use the bank account, determine your monthly budget, and decide what will be done with the account if your business relationship changes.
Since you and your business partner are equally liable, it is best to choose a financial institution that both of you are comfortable with. A financial institution that both of you can access at any time is the best choice. Alternatively, if you live far away from your business partner, you can choose an institution through which you can open an account with ATMs your partner can access.
The steps taken to open a joint business bank account are similar to those taken to open a business bank account. They include the following:
Have your Documents Ready
When opening a joint business bank account, both partners need to provide personal information such as your full names, contact details, social security number, date of birth, phone number and your address. The documents you will need will depend on the bank’s requirements. However, common documents needed include:
- ID, a driver’s license or a passport
- Companies House registration number
- Partnership agreement
- Certificate of formation
- Contract of co-partners
Visit a Bank to Fill Account Application Forms or Fill the Forms Online
Some banks will require you to visit a branch in-person to complete your application even after applying online, while other banks offer services entirely online. It is best to complete this step with your partner. For your first deposit, it is best to split the minimum amount needed to start an account equally. If it is 500 GBP, you will deposit 250 GBP each.
Set your Ground Rules
Rules are important for the success of any business. Even though there’s trust between you and your business partner, rules are equally important. It is crucial to set rules on how you intend to handle your joint finances. How you set the rules is completely up to you, but make sure that you do it.
Is taking money from a joint account stealing? If you have a joint bank account with your business partner, it means both of you have the right to the money. However, you can be sued in a civil court by your partner if you mismanage the funds.
Best Banks With Joint Account for Business Partners
It is best to do some research to find out the available options. This is because different types of businesses may require different types of joint bank accounts. Crucial things to consider when choosing a joint business bank account include the types of transactions you’ll be making (international, wire transfers, etc.), whether you want a business with a physical or online presence, etc.
The following banks provide joint business bank accounts in the UK. These options are only available to businesses established and based in the UK.
- ANNA Money. You are able to open joint business account online with Anna app. ANNA Money is a business banking app that does not charge monthly fees, card purchases, bank transfers and no overdraft facilities.
- Acorn Account. Only for businesses based in the UK. It is an online bank that offers free card purchases, but there is a monthly fee of £12.50 and £65.00 application fee.
- Starling Bank. It is a Free business banking that comes with integration feature for business platforms such as QuickBooks and Xero.
- CardOneMoney. It is accessible online and through an app. It charges a monthly fee of £12.50 and £55 one-off application fee, while card purchases are free. There’s no overdraft facilities.
Cashplus Bank doesn’t necessarily offer joint accounts at the moment. However, you can add additional cardholders to the account who will get a card in their name and access to the account. You can set up additional cards in the Cashplus app.
Joint Account for Business Partners
There are several types of joint account you can open with a business partner. Examples of joint accounts include the following
- Linked Accounts. If your business is starting out, a linked account can be the best option. Linked accounts allow partners to transfer funds directly from their bank accounts.
- Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship Account. Business partners have equal access and equal responsibility for the account. If one partner dies, all funds go to the surviving partner.
- Tenants-In-Common Accounts. If one of the partners wants to will their money elsewhere, this is the best joint account type. A joint tenants-in-common account is subject to probate. If there is no will, the funds of the deceased will go to the closest relative.
- A joint POD (payable-on-death)/ITF (in-trust-for) Account. For this account, when both owners die, the money goes to a third-party beneficiary. On the other hand, when one partner dies, the money goes to the other partner.
Final Word On Joint Account for Business Partners
Opening a joint business bank account in the UK with a business partner should be a well-thought about choice. It is important to understand your partner’s financial situation and behavior before you decide to open a joint business bank account together.
Joint Business Account UK FAQs
Can you have a joint business account?
Yes, you can have a joint business account, which allows equal access for multiple account holders, keeping business and personal finances separate while simplifying financial management.
How do you set up a joint business account?
To set up a joint business bank account, research and choose a suitable bank, gather required documents for all account holders, fill out the application, deposit initial funds if necessary, and await approval. Once approved, start using the account for business transactions and ensure clear communication among all account holders.
What are the best joint business account in the UK?
There are many different joint business accounts available in the UK, each with its own set of features and benefits. Some of the best joint business accounts in the UK include: Starling Bank, ANNA Money, Acorn, and Tide.
