barclays small business plan

Barclays uses cookies on this website. Some cookies are essential to provide our services to you. Other cookies help us to analyse how you use the site, so we can improve your experience on our site. Cookies are stored locally on your computer or mobile device. Please select 'Accept all' to consent to cookies or select ‘Reject all’ to reject all but essential cookies or select 'Manage cookies' to change your preferences. For more information visit our  cookie policy .

To have the best eperience using our site, please upgrade to one of the latest browsers.

• News and Press Releases

Barclays launches nationwide drive to boost small businesses, as over a quarter of SMEs say their mental wellbeing has declined during the pandemic

• New research shows that whilst almost 80 per cent of businesses are optimistic about the future of their business, over a quarter feel worried or anxious after taking on debt for the first time 1
• The bank has launched 600 new business health masterclasses and more than doubled staff numbers in their support teams
• Barclays partners with Nisha Katona MBE, owner of Mowgli Street Food restaurants, to raise awareness of new support package

Barclays has today launched a package of support aimed at boosting small businesses, with the bank set to host 50 masterclasses a month this year, which will focus on managing cash flow, business growth and support for wellbeing. The classes are open to all small business owners, with national events focused on the hospitality and care home sectors.

The nationwide drive is in response to new research conducted by Barclays, which has highlighted the impact of the pandemic on small business owners, with over a quarter revealing that their mental health has declined.

Over the last two years, almost 80 per cent of small businesses that took on debt did so for the first time, the majority through Government lending schemes. Barclays facilitated over £13 billion through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme to small businesses.

And whilst almost 80 per cent of small businesses surveyed are optimistic about the future of their business and are confident they will repay, over a quarter say that taking on debt for the first time made them feel anxious or worried. Three fifths (58 per cent) of businesses are also owed money from late payments, with unpaid invoices constraining cash flow. 2

Barclays is teaming up with Nisha Katona MBE, owner of Mowgli Street Food restaurants, to raise awareness of their new support package for small businesses.

Nisha Katona MBE, CEO of Mowgli Street Food restaurants and founder of the Mowgli Trust charity, said: “Hospitality businesses have had a really rough time throughout the pandemic. My team are like family and our number one priority during lockdown when we mothballed the company was to phone them regularly to check if they were ok, and ask what more we could do to support their emotional needs. We encouraged people to try to enjoy their time off and told them their jobs would be waiting.

“The first thing to do if you’re worried about your finances is to go and get help. One of the things about this pandemic is that it’s made many more people understand what it’s like to be in debt. Business owners are part of a great fraternity and there is no shame on calling upon support, whether that be from friends or family, or your bank.”

Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, said: “Everyone at Barclays is incredibly passionate about supporting small businesses the length and breadth of the UK. Our number one priority is to help businesses to not just recover from the pandemic, but to make a solid growth plan for the future.

“There is no one size fits all solution to the challenge, but we hope the steps we’ve taken to provide hundreds of expert masterclasses and hire additional colleagues will make a real difference.

“We’re here to help, and we want any business owner who might be worried about the future of their business to reach out to us early.”

To find out more about Barclays support for businesses visit: www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/ To sign up for one of the masterclasses, visit: https://labs.barclays/business-health-hub

Notes to Editor: 1 Research conducted by Censuswide of 1,001 UK SME Decision Makers with a turnover no greater than £25 million from 20th December 2021 to 29th December 2021.

2 Research conducted by Opinium of 500 small business owners / MDs / CEOs in companies of 0-249 employees with a turnover of less than £6.5 million from 22nd to 29th September 2021.

Barclays’ Business Health Pledge Our Pledge outlines our commitments to our customers and local business communities with their post-pandemic recovery. The Pledge includes a package of support:

• Hosting 50 small business masterclasses every month to support recovery. The classes will focus on managing cash flow, business growth, and support for wellbeing
• A commitment to have 20,000 conversations with customers a month to support business resilience and growth
• A new digital Business Health Hub with resources to help businesses grow
• More than doubling the size of teams that support businesses in financial difficulty

Key statistics 80 per cent of businesses are optimistic about the future of their business 76 per cent of those who have taken on external finance during the pandemic are confident they will repay their loan 26 per cent feel anxious or worried about the external finance they’ve taken on during the pandemic 27 per cent of respondents said their mental health has declined because of running a business during the pandemic 58 per cent are owed money from late payments

Nisha’s top recovery tips for business owners: 1. Ask for help if you need it – your wellbeing is a priority: The first thing to do if you’re worried about your finances is to go and get help. Speak to friends, family, and your bank may also have advice. Look for a bank and a relationship manager that has a passion for business and entrepreneurialism. It’s so important to have a sounding board, and you need someone who can give you a realistic assessment of your business model whilst really listening to you and nurturing your business and ideas. 2. There’s no shame in having debt: Most businesses have debt, whether that be to help with unexpected events (like the pandemic!) or to facilitate growth. There's no indignity in having debt as you start to grow. You are growing because you want to employ more people, pay more taxes and support your community, so as long as you take on a very serviceable amount of debt responsibly, don't feel this is an indignity. 3. Employees are family: Any organisation is only as good as its people. Everything should come back to ensuring they feel purposeful, nourished and fulfilled - just as you would want this for your family. Having an ambition like this is useless without actually diagnosing if you are achieving it, so surveying your staff regularly is critical. Ask them simply if they are happy and if not, why not. Common themes for us have been greater flexibility and for sustainability to move to the heart of the business. 4. Product or service is key: Constantly look at your product and what you’re presenting to the High Street with fresh, dispassionate eyes, and always think, is it still relevant? If you’re truly passionate about your product, and you want it out there in the market, you also need to build it in a way that means it will have a legacy once you’re no longer in charge. 5. Define your purpose: The mission at Mowgli is simply to enrich the lives and cities we are in. Each of our restaurants supports local and international charities to ensure we are making a positive impact in our communities. The best institutions have a compassionate clarity of purpose that is simple enough to be understood and embraced by all your employees. Focus on the higher goal of a life enhancing purpose and the bottom line will come.

Important information

• Small Business
• Credit Cards
• Personal Finance
• Business Loans
• Business Bank Accounts
• Free Business Bank Accounts
• Business Insurance
• Business Energy
• Business Water
• Accounting Software
• How Do Business Loans Work?
• How To Get A Business Loan
• Do I Need A Business Bank Account?
• How To Open A Business Bank Account
• Do I Need Business Insurance?
• Types Of Business Insurance
• How To Switch Business Energy Supplier
• How To Start A Business
• What is an SME?
• How To Go Self-Employed
• How To Grow Your Business

Whether you’re an established business or start-up, see the latest offers from leading business bank account providers

• Personal Loans
• Secured Loans
• Bad Credit Loans
• Guarantor Loans
• Car Finance
• Unsecured Vs Secured Loans
• How to Get a Loan
• Why Can’t I Get A Loan?
• What Are Joint Loans?
• What Is A Bank Loan?
• Am I Eligible For A Personal Loan?
• What You Need To Know About APR
• Paying Off A Loan Early
• Loans For People On Benefits

Compare loans and check your eligibility from a range of leading loan providers

• Best Mortgage Lenders
• Mortgage Rates
• Commercial Mortgages
• Mortgage Calculator
• Stamp Duty Calculator
• Mortgage Eligibility
• What Is Stamp Duty?
• Fixed Vs Variable Rate Mortgages
• What Is A Buy-To-Let Mortgage?
• What Is A Joint Mortgage?
• How Remortgaging Works
• How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
• How Long Does A Mortgage Offer Last?
• What Is A Shared Ownership Mortgage?
• What Is A Guarantor Mortgage?
• UK House Prices
• How To Open A Bank Account
• Student Bank Accounts
• How Overdrafts Work
• Can I Open A Bank Account For My Child?
• Regular Savings Accounts
• What Is A Personal Pension?
• ISA Or Savings Account?
• Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
• Best Credit Builder Credit Cards
• Best 0% Purchase Credit Cards
• Do I Need A Credit Card?
• Breakdown Cover
• Car Insurance
• Home Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Do I Need Breakdown Cover?
• Do I Need Life Insurance?
• Types Of Life Insurance
• What Is Home Emergency Cover?
• How To Maintain Your Vehicle
• Benefits Of Life Insurance
• Can You Have Multiple Life Insurance Policies?
• What Does Car Warranty Cover?
• Business Bank Accounts in the UK
• Barclays Business Account Review

Barclays Business Account Review: Pros, Cons & Features

Many or all of the products and brands we promote and feature including our ‘Partner Spotlights’ are from our partners who compensate us. However, this does not influence our editorial opinion found in articles, reviews and our ‘Best’ tables. Our opinion is our own. Read more on our methodology here .

Barclays Bank is a UK-authorised high street bank that offers accounts for start ups and established businesses. Barclays also offers accounts specifically designed for charities and community groups.

Barclays Business Account

• Monthly Fee Free for 12 months No monthly fees for the first 12 months, for new customers, then £8.50 per month. T&C’s apply.
• UK Card Purchase Fees Free
• UK Bank Transfer Fees Free Charges for some bank transfers and card payments apply
• Offer Free invoicing and accounting software provided by FreshBooks, with your Barclays business account, worth over £260 per year. T&Cs apply.

This product may be one of a range offered by this provider. Always check terms & conditions for suitability before applying.

• Must have an annual turnover between £400k- £6.5m
• Must have a straightforward and clearly defined ownership structure
• Must be at least 18 years old and be based and operate in the UK – including business owners

Learn more about how we bring you our review.

Key features

• FSCS Protection Eligible deposits up to £85,000 are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
• Credit facilities Barclays business customers can access a range of credit facilities, including loans, mortgages and overdrafts.
• Multiple ways to manage Business customers can access and manage their accounts online, via the app, over the phone, or at a branch.
• Introductory offer New Barclays business customers are eligible for a 12-month period with no account fees. Eligible charities do not pay a maintenance fee.

Barclays business account pros & cons 

• Barclays offers accounts for start ups and established businesses. It also offers accounts for charities and community groups.
• Barclays business accounts come with free invoicing and account software from FreshBooks.
• Eligible deposits of up to £85,000 are protected by FSCS – if you’re a sole trader, the £85,000 protection will be the total across all current or savings accounts you hold with Barclays, Barclays Direct and Standard Life Cash Savings.
• Customers can access support in branches across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Barclays offers credit facilities, including mortgages, overdrafts and loans, for a variety of businesses. 
• Once the introductory period has ended for any of its business accounts, Barclays charges account holders a monthly account fee of £8.50, except for those holding a charity account.
• Account holders have a monthly allowance of 500 free electronic transactions. They will then be charged 35p for every electronic payment, 60p per withdrawal and deposit of cheques, and 60p for every £100 of cash they deposit.
• While Barclays says it takes an average of 10 days to set up a business account, it can take over 10 weeks in some cases.

The pros and cons featured here are chosen by us based on a combination of our expert, research-based opinions and an exclusive survey of UK business owners and decision makers. The survey was conducted on behalf of NerdWallet UK in December 2022 to identify the business bank account features that people feel are most important. They are unlikely to be the only product features and restrictions that you should consider. Pros and cons are subjective and you should align them to your own personal and business circumstances. Information was correct at the time of publication but may have changed since.

Barclays business account full review

Barclays was originally founded more than 300 years ago in London. It quickly expanded throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and now has a presence across the whole of the UK, offering both personal and business banking services.

Barclays offers three types of business current account, as well as a community account for charities and community groups. 

Business accounts

Barclays has a start-up account for businesses that have been trading for less than a year and an account for those with a turnover of up to £6.5 million.

Each business account comes with a 12-month period without an account fee for new customers. At the end of this free period, the monthly fee is £8.50. 

Barclays charges transaction fees both during and after the 12-month free period on all its business accounts. Once you have used its allowance of 500 free transactions, you would pay 35p per additional electronic payment. There is also a 60p transaction fee on cheque deposits and withdrawals, and 60p for every £100 of cash you deposit. 

Each business account from Barclays also comes with a range of services, such as borrowing options (including business loans, mortgages and overdrafts) and online tools to support your business. In addition to information and advice guides, you’ll have access to teams of business managers, high-growth professionals and entrepreneurial experts. Barclays’ international team is also available to support your growth ambitions.

All business accounts at Barclays offer free access to invoice and accounting software from FreshBooks.

As well as this, Barclays business and community account holders can apply for a foreign currency account. This is for business account holders who trade in other currencies, making international transactions easier if you trade overseas.  

Community account

Barclays’ community account for charities and impact organisations offers everyday banking and support from business managers, as well as free invoicing and accounting software from FreshBooks.

Eligible charities and community interest groups that are registered and have an annual turnover of less than £100,000 can benefit from no monthly account fee and free everyday transactions. Other community groups can still apply for the Barclays Business Account, which offers a 12-month fee-free period, after which the £8.50 monthly account fee applies, along with 500 free electronic payments before fees are incurred.

Barclays business account features: at a glance

Where Barclays business account stands out

Access to accounting software: All business and community accounts come with free access to invoice and accounting software via FreshBooks .

Account management: Customers can manage their accounts online, via the app, over the phone or in a branch.

International payments: Barclays International Payments Services (BIPs) allows business account customers to make electronic international payments to countries across the world, and offers a simple tool to generate your International Bank Account Number (IBAN).

Charities and community groups : Barclays also offers current accounts to charities and community groups, with no monthly account fee for eligible charities.

»  MORE: Compare business accounting software

Where Barclays business account falls short

Set-up time : It takes an average of 10 days to set up a Barclays business account, but can take over 10 weeks.

Transaction fees: Where other business bank accounts include no transaction fees in their introductory offers, Barclays only omits the monthly account fee during the 12-month period, but retains its standard transaction fees.

»  MORE: Compare business bank accounts

Barclays business account customer reviews

Barclays has a ‘bad’ rating on Trustpilot of 1.4 out of 5 based on over 10,000 reviews. However, these reviews and those on its mobile apps relate to Barclays Bank in general, and not specifically its business offering. 

The Barclays mobile app has a rating of:

• 4.8 out of 5 on the app store, based on over 1.7 million ratings
• 4.5 out of 5 on Google Play, based on over 513,000 ratings

This information is correct as of 3 April 2024.

Barclays business account eligibility 

To be eligible to open a business account with Barclays, you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• have the right to live in the UK permanently
• be able to show at least three years’ UK address history
• run a business with a turnover of less than £6.5 million

When you apply for a business account, you must be willing to undergo a credit check . Barclays runs a soft credit check on you and your business partners to check both your personal and business credit. If you successfully open an account, the bank will then share information about how you use the account with credit reference agencies.

How to apply for a Barclays business account

If you already have a business account with another bank and you’re looking to move to Barclays, you can use the Current Account Switch Service, which will help you to switch within seven working days. Note that you can only do so if both banks belong to the scheme.

If you don’t have an existing business account and you’re looking to apply for one of the accounts from Barclays, you’ll need to follow these steps:

• Apply online or via the app (where eligible).
• Submit proof of ID and address.
• Wait for approval once you have submitted your application. It can take 10 days on average to open an account.

Review methodology

At NerdWallet UK, we base our reviews and our ‘Best’ pages on the results of surveys we undertook about what was important to people who use these products. This allows us to look at products impartially of any commercial arrangements we have and fairly rate the products on the same set of criteria. Best means our ‘Best’ and is based only on what products we have aligned to our surveys, which form the basis of our reviews and ratings. This means that there will be other products on the market that we have not included in our ‘Best’ pages. Best does not mean it’s best for you, nor does it mean the ‘cheapest’. Our reviews may display lenders’ rates. This additional information has not been included in our evaluations but is still very important when choosing a product. Rates offered can depend on circumstances, amount and term. Always check details before proceeding with any financial product. Product details reflect the information that was available at that time but may have changed since. We strive to give you a review on as many products as possible, but there will be products not included on the market. The review is our opinion, but it does not constitute advice, recommendation or suitability for your financial circumstances. While we try to provide you with accurate information, the providers can change the terms of their products at any time, therefore it is advisable to check the terms before you proceed. You can view our full review methodology here .

About the Authors

Milly Fox-Jones is a writer at NerdWallet focusing on finance content for SMEs. An experienced content specialist, Milly has written for start-ups and established brands alike, always striving to make…

Duncan Ferris is a business writer with expertise in pensions, investing and personal finance. Though he began his career as a pensions industry professional, he transitioned to journalism in 2017.…

Creating your first startup business plan

Identifying the market opportunity for your business is essential to show its value to investors

Developing a clear and concise business plan for your startup can be the difference between gaining investment or not, and even success or failure, in some cases.

Rafik Jallad is the founder and CEO of BlueCreation, an Internet of Things focused company, which he then sold to Sierra Wireless. He is also a non-executive director, consultant and part of the Accelerate Cambridge team. In this video Rafik explains how to create a compelling business plan for your startup, including why getting the market sizing right is key and how to do it, and the steps to making your proposition attractive to investors.

10 tips on creating your first startup business plan

• Keep it brief Be able to explain concisely and clearly what your business is and why it can be successful. What problem does your product or service solve?
• Know your audience The first consideration for any business plan, or indeed any product, should be, what is the audience?
• Work hard on your executive summary It has to be engaging. Busy and experienced investors may only read the summary so it must impress.
• Know the competition Every product has competition, you need to explain who yours is and why you can challenge them.
• Identify the market Your market research needs to be thorough. How big is your market? Know its dynamics, geography, trends, customer habits, and more.
• Be confident but sensible Avoid the use of superlatives. Investors want to know the facts. If you can’t back up a statement better to leave it out.
• Provide a team overview Explain why your team is worth backing is key. Provide an overview of your team and why they are the right people to take the idea to market.
• Have correct financials Be prepared to defend your projections, sales predictions, costs and any other figures with robust calculations.
• Include funding requirements It doesn’t have to be detailed at this stage but a line or two or how much money you need to raise.
• Get a second opinion As founder the plan should be your vision but if possible get a second pair of eyes, ideally from an experienced entrepreneur or investor in your network.

Barclays (including its employees, Directors and agents) accepts no responsibility and shall have no liability in contract, tort or otherwise to any person in connection with this content or the use of or reliance on any information or data set out in this content unless it expressly agrees otherwise in writing. It does not constitute an offer to sell or buy any security, investment, financial product or service and does not constitute investment, professional, legal or tax advice, or a recommendation with respect to any securities or financial instruments.

The information, statements and opinions contained in this content are of a general nature only and do not take into account your individual circumstances including any laws, policies, procedures or practices you, or your employer or businesses may have or be subject to. Although the statements of fact on this page have been obtained from and are based upon sources that Barclays believes to be reliable, Barclays does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

Related tags

Stay Connected with Barclays Eagle Labs

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news and views from across our national ecosystem.  

Fields marked with * are mandatory

Your information will be used in accordance with Barclays Eagle Labs privacy policy . You may opt out at any time.

Barclays Bank UK PLC. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 759676). Registered in England. Registered No. 9740322. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

• What we offer
• Our programmes
• Our industries
• Resources and events
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

How to open a Barclays business account

Table of Contents

Barclays business account options for small businesses

Start-up business account, business account for turnover up to £400k, community account, general features of barclays business accounts, what you need to open a barclays business account, online application, visiting your local branch, over the phone, finding the best business account for your business, what customers say about barclays vs countingup.

When starting a new business, one of the first things you need to do is open a separate business account to manage your finances. Barclays Bank is one of the biggest names in the UK and has a range of accounts to suit most businesses. 

This guide will show you how to open a Barclays business account and look at other options to help you decide whether it’s the best option for your company.

We’ll explore:

For small businesses, Barclays offers three business accounts, which are as follows:

The Startup Business Account is specially designed for new businesses. Signing up gives users access to the basic tools and support (payment management, invoice tracking, specialist advice) that startups might need to get off the ground. 

This Barclays everyday banking solution is designed for larger or growing businesses, offering features like international expansion and support with acquisition.

The Barclays Community Account offers free everyday banking for charities, social enterprises and other small not-for-profit organisations and access to convenient and simple banking services. 

You’ll be able to access varying features depending on the business account you choose to set up with Barclays, plus your business size and concept. That said, most Barclays business accounts offer some general features, including:

• Mobile banking on the move with the Barclays app
• Access to business debit and credit cards
• Access to knowledge and support from specialist teams and local business networks
• Safe, secure online banking
• 24/7 UK-based customer support
• Time-saving tools like group payments and cash collection booking

In this section, you’ll find a summary of what you need to open each type of Barclays business account.

To open a Start-up Business Account, you must be an existing Barclays customer (due to a post-pandemic surge in demand) and operate either as a sole trader or a one-person limited company.

In addition, to open the start-up and established business accounts, applicants must also:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have the right to live in the UK permanently
• Provide at least 12 months’ UK address history

When applying, you’ll also need to provide the following information:

• Your Companies House registration number, if you have one
• Details about your business, including tax information and turnover
• Director details (that’s you)
• Your address history for the past three years

It’s worth noting that applying for a Barclays account can take up to two weeks to process due to the high volume of applications. If you still want to open a Barclays business account, you can do so in a few ways, including:

Barclays allows you to apply for all its business accounts online, except for the Community Account, which you need to call their customer service team for. You can open an account online by completing an online application process. Alternatively, you can use the Current Account Switch Service to transfer your accounts to Barclays from your existing bank. 

Assuming you have all the documents you need beforehand, you can open a Barclays account online in 10-15 minutes. If you’ve included all the necessary information and circumstances are straightforward, Barclays aims to open your account in five working days . That said, sometimes it takes even longer. 

If you don’t fancy applying online, you can also open a Barclays business account by visiting your local branch. If you choose to open an account this way, it’s a good idea to call and make an appointment first to check if Barclays currently accepts new customers. During the call, it’s good to find out what information and documents you’ll need to bring to your appointment.

Would you rather complete your application process over the phone? In that case, you can call Barclays business banking support on 0800 515 4621. Lines are open from 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and bank holidays. Make sure you have all relevant details to hand when you call.

Running your business alone is complicated enough as it is, so it’s crucial to find a business current account provider with the tools you need to manage your finances effectively. 

When operating as a sole trader or running a limited company alone, the Countingup business current account might be a better option for you. 

This unique two-in-one business current account and accounting software automates the time-consuming aspects of bookkeeping, taxes , and more. This means you can manage your financial activities through one app.

Countingup also generates key business insights, including up-to-date and accurate cash flow reports that show how your business is doing at any time. You can access these insights with a tap on your phone to track your business performance easily and make adjustments as needed.

When deciding what system will support your needs best, it’s good to look at reviews online to see what existing users think about your chosen provider. Here’s what people say about Barclays bank:

On Trustpilot , Barclays has received 1.5 out of 5 stars, meaning most customers review it as ‘Bad’. The main reason for the low score appears to be poor customer service. On the flip side, the Barclays banking app is much more popular with users, receiving 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Apple Store and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play.

In comparison, Countingup has scored 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot . Trusted by more than 50,000 users, most of whom review the app as “Excellent” thanks to its ease of use and the dedication of the customer service team. Users also love how fast and easy Countingup is to sign up to. 

Sign up for a Countingup business account in minutes

Download the Countingup app on your phone to sign up in minutes! As long as you have the relevant information nearby, you can apply for an account online from anywhere.

You generally only need to provide:

• Your address
• A photo of your passport or other ID
• A selfie 

Join Countingup today and discover how thousands of self-employed people benefit from the well-designed features it offers. 

Find out more here and start your 3 month free trial today.

• Counting Up on Facebook
• Counting Up on Twitter
• Counting Up on LinkedIn

Related Resources

Business insurance from superscript.

We’re partnered with insurance experts, Superscript to provide you with small business insurance.

How to register a company in the UK

There are over five million companies registered in the UK and 500,000 new

How to set up a TikTok shop (2024)

TikTok can be an excellent platform for growing a business, big or small.

Best Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In 2024 (UK Edition)

Looking to start a new career? Or maybe you’re looking to embrace your

How to throw a launch party for a new business

So your business is all set up, what next? A launch party can

How to set sales goals

Want to make manageable and achievable sales goals for your business? Find out

10 key tips to starting a business in the UK

10 things you need to know before starting a business in the UK

How to set up your business: Sole trader or limited company

If you’ve just started a business, you’ll likely be faced with the early

How to register as a sole trader

Running a small business and considering whether to register as a sole trader? 

6 examples of objectives for a small business plan

Your new company’s business plan is a crucial part of your success, as

How to start a successful business during a recession

Starting a business during a recession may sound like madness, but some big

What is a mission statement (and how to write one)

When starting a small business, you’ll need a plan to get things up

Barclays announces $960 mln buyback, lifts outlook as investment bank shines

• Medium Text

• First half profit falls 9%, less than feared
• Investment bank equities revenue up 24% in Q2
• Bank upgrades 2026 returns guidance

DOMESTIC DIFFICULTIES

Sign up here.

Reporting By Lawrence White and Sinead Cruise Editing by Tomasz Janowski

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Australian regulator sues bourse operator ASX over trading platform replacement

Australia's corporate regulator said on Wednesday it was suing the country's bourse operator ASX Ltd for making misleading statements regarding the replacement of its trading platform Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (CHESS).

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

Your cookie preferences

In order to provide you with the best possible experience on the LifeSkills website we use cookies and similar technology to collect data from your device and browser while you are here.  Collecting this data helps us to personalise content for you, understand how you use the website, allow access to social media features and deliver personalised service and advert message content. You can find out more in our Cookie Policy . Please select ‘Accept all’ to consent to us collecting your data in this way. To see other data collection options, select ‘Manage data preferences’.

The types of similar technologies used in this website fall into one of four categories - Strictly Necessary, Performance, Functionality & Profile and Targeting. You can find out more information in our Cookie Policy .

Please indicate the categories you wish to consent to by selecting ‘Manage data preferences’ and using the sliders below and then click “Save preferences” to retain your preferences for future visits. You can change these preferences at any time by clicking Cookie Policy on our website.

Strictly necessary

Data collected in this category is essential to provide our services to you. The data is necessary for the website to operate and to maintain your security and privacy while using the website. Data is not used for marketing purposes or for the purposes covered by the other three categories below. This category can’t be disabled.

Performance

These help us improve the experience for all users of the website. Data collected in this category is to inform us how the website is used, improve how our website works and to help us to identify issues you may have when using our website. This data is not used to target you with online advertising.

Data collected in this category is used to help make our messages more relevant to you. The data is shared with other third parties, such as advertisers and platforms we may use to deliver personalised advertisements and messages. If you don’t wish to consent to this category, it’s important to note that you may still receive generic advertising or service messages, but they will be less relevant to you

Functionality & Profile

Data collected in this category enables the website to remember choices you make. This means a more personalised experience for features of the website that can be customised. It may also be used to provide services you've asked for, such as watching a video or commenting on a blog.

For learners from school through to university and beyond

What stage are you at?

For people like teachers, youth group leaders, mentors, local authorities, charities, job centre staff, and parents or carers

Work with a group or a class

Coach an adult

Tools, tips and activities to help your family

Resources for educators

• Login Sign up for free

Save to a group

Would you like to create a subgroup to help organise your saved items?

• I'm here to help others
• Lesson plans

Steps to starting a business

Time to complete

Download the full lesson plan pack including all related resources

Choose to download one or more individual resources

Steps to starting a business: Lesson plan

Steps to starting a business: Presentation slides

Business start up planner

Business start up planner example

Starting a business handbook

This lesson is designed to introduce students to the process of setting up a business and explore what it means to be enterprising. For students who are interested in becoming business owners, this lesson is a good introduction to important enterprise skills.

The first activity can be delivered as an introduction to setting up a business. The second activity can be covered in one session, or it can be delivered as a longer-term business project or series of sessions, allowing the concepts to be explored in more depth.

By the end of the lesson students will be able to:

• Understand the skills needed to be enterprising and their strengths in these areas
• Identify the seven key steps to setting up a business and how to apply these
• Demonstrate how to plan and pitch a business idea

The Starting a business handbook includes the student sheets for this lesson, with useful tips and relevant websites to refer to in future. It can also be used independently by students who are keen to plan their future business ideas in more depth.

Explore this topic further and visit BBC Teach where Radio 1 DJ Greg James brings the concept of different company types to life at a music festival in a series of short films.

Curriculum tags

A free account gives you access to all educator content, tools and resources

Already have an account, get started, thank you for liking.

Help us to continue creating relevant content for you by leaving some additional feedback .

Additional feedback

All feedback will be anonymous and will help us to provide more effective content for you and your student.

Thank you for letting us know what you thought of .

Why not try one of these next?

Enterprise project challenge

Challenge your students to creatively solve issues set by real entrepreneurs with the Enterprise project challenge.

Problem solving

Help students develop problem solving skills utilising a clear 6-step process adapted from computational thinking used for coding.

Self confidence lesson

Help students to overcome challenges and think confidently. This lesson will help your student learn how to do this.

• Business Loans

How To Write A Successful Business Plan For A Loan

Updated: Aug 18, 2022, 12:46pm

A business plan is a document that lays out a company’s strategy and, in some cases, how a business owner plans to use loan funds, investments and capital. It demonstrates that a business is already producing income and has a plan to continue doing so moving forward.

A successful business plan is well-written, realistic, concise and, most importantly, convinces financial institutions that approving your business for a loan is a smart choice.

Here’s what you need to know about each section of a business plan and how to write a plan that will earn a lender’s stamp of approval.

Featured Partner Offers

$5,000 to $250,000

Varies by loan

Via Ondeck's Website

American Express Business Blueprint™

$2,000 to $250,000

Varies by loan term

of at least 660 FICO at the time of application

Via American Express's Website

National Funding

$10,000 to $500,000

Buy rates start at 1.11%

On National Funding's Website

What Does a Successful Business Plan Include?

A successful business plan outlines your entire business and effectively explains how it makes money and why it’s likely to succeed. This is especially important if you’re trying to get a small business loan .

The content of a business plan should vary from company to company, but there are a few common sections that will help lenders better understand your business and help you qualify for financing.

Executive Summary

An executive summary concisely summarizes your business plan—usually on one page. The goals of this section are to inform the reader about the business as a whole, summarize what is contained in the rest of the document and capture their interest. That said, the best use of this section may depend on the age of your business.

• Startups. Startup owners typically use the executive summary to discuss the business opportunity, their target market and their planned strategy for building the business. The section also may touch on relevant market competition. Startup companies in particular should use the executive summary to build a lender’s confidence in the business.
• Established businesses. Companies that have been in business for several years usually orient their executive summaries around past achievements and growth plans. In this case, the section may begin with the company’s mission statement and provide information about business operations and financials before outlining future goals.

Industry Analysis

The industry analysis section of a business plan defines the business’ industry and mentions current trends—with a focus on risks and opportunities. The section also informs the reader about how the industry works and where the business fits in the industry as a whole.

This section should start by defining the industry, as well as what products and services it provides, and what consumer demand it fulfills. Next, identify the most important influences in the industry. In the case of a bank, this may include applicable government regulations; for a clothing boutique, it may be consumer trends and budget.

The industry analysis should also define the company’s intended niche in the industry.

Market Analysis

The market analysis zooms into the specific market niche mentioned in the previous section. Market analysis aims to detail the segment of the broader market the business is intended to fit within. For example, a fashion brand or boutique may target high-income consumers.

Use this section to explain how the segment differs from the wider industry. In the fashion boutique example, a market analysis may reveal that high-income consumers in the fashion industry pay substantially more for brands that are considered exclusive.

Also, describe the size of your business’ niche and how it fits into the wider industry. This should include mention of how many existing businesses operate in this niche and how they target consumers.

Competitor Analysis

A competitor analysis explains what competitors in your niche do and informs the reader of the current market environment. Start with an overall assessment of your competitors. Then, discuss the most relevant competitors for your niche. When conducting a competitor analysis, ask yourself the following questions:

• Where do your ideal customers currently shop?
• How do these competitors differentiate themselves?
• How are competitor products and services priced?
• Why do customers choose those products or service providers?

Using the example above, many clothing boutiques compete by providing higher quality products or a unique, luxury shopping experience. If your store has a single location, your competitor might be another clothing store with a similar price-point or signature style.

Target Market Segmentation

In the target market segmentation, you’ll identify your business’ target market and describe how you will meet its needs. This section aims to instill confidence in the lender by providing a clear and objective strategy for building revenue.

Begin the section by informing how your products or services meet your shoppers’ needs. Next, explain how consumers can access your products or services—including a brief outline of your marketing strategy and how it is tailored to your target clients. Contrast this to your competitors’ strategy as defined in the previous section. After reading this portion of the business plan, the lender should know exactly how your business intends to compete.

Services or Products Offered

Use this section of the plan to explain what your business offers its ideal customers and to contrast your product and service offering to that of your competitors. Start by defining your product and service offering, including pricing. Also, inform the reader what equipment or materials you need to provide your products and services. For instance, a fashion apparel brand needs access to textile manufacturers.

Marketing Plan and Sales Strategy

Now that the lender understands what you offer, explain how you plan to market it in greater detail. This section outlines how you’ll attract and convince consumers to buy from you. The goal is to provide a flexible and realistic marketing and sales plan that convinces the reader you know how to attract consumers.

The sales strategy section of your business plan also should include the company’s revenue goals and explain how your marketing and sales department will achieve them. Provide in-depth details on the marketing and sales challenges you’ll face and how to overcome them. While this information is always relevant, it’s particularly important to lenders reviewing your loan application as they will want to know how you plan to make money.

Operations Plan

The operations plan details your company’s day-to-day operations. This detail-oriented section should comprehensively explain how your business will operate, beginning with a list of your company’s daily activities.

As a high-end clothing boutique, your daily operations may include:

• A manager reconciling sales receipts and inventory numbers
• Stylists researching future trends and sourcing new inventory
• A marketing team building an online and social media presence

Note: This section is more about your business’s daily processes rather than its organizational structure—which is the next section.

Management Team

Use the management section of your business plan to tell the lender who does what in the company and how they’re compensated. Help the lender better understand the people behind the company by including biographical and background information on the company’s owners and key executives.

The best way to present this information is often with an organizational flowchart. You can also include other information about the company in this section, like your mission statement and values.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan tells a prospective lender two things: how much you plan to spend each year and how much you’ll earn in revenue. This section is the most important for most businesses, as it can make or break a lender’s confidence and willingness to extend credit.

Always include the following documents in the financial section of your business plan:

• Cash flow statements
• Income statements
• Capital expenditure budgets
• Balance sheets

Most lenders ask established businesses for at least three years of financial data, and some may ask for five. Preferably, include as much financial data as possible. If you’re a startup, include estimated costs and projected revenue, and supplement your data with industry averages or financial data from competitors.

Exit Strategy

Your business plan should always include an exit strategy in case things go wrong or you simply decide to close up shop. This may include everything from taking on new partners to selling your business or even declaring bankruptcy. Having an exit strategy is another way to show lenders that you have thought about the risks involved with your business and are prepared for them.

The appendix of a business plan normally contains financial information and other documents the reader may need to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business. Established businesses typically include financial statements and projections, at a minimum. In contrast, a startup could include the research they conducted to make the business plan.

Also consider including relevant resumes, marketing materials, letters of recommendation or references. For ease, your appendix should have a table of contents directing lenders to the most important documents.

What Lenders Look for In a Business Plan

There are five things that lenders typically look at when making business lending decisions: character, capacity, capital, conditions and collateral. By understanding these key considerations, you can draft a business plan that speaks to a lender’s interests and concerns.

A business’ character includes subjective, intangible qualities like whether its owners are perceived as honest, competent or determined. Stated another way, lenders want to know that you are honest and have integrity. These qualities can be critical for evaluating candidates because most lenders don’t want to lend to someone they don’t feel they can trust.

To evaluate the character of you and your business, lenders look at your personal credit history as well as your business’ financial history. Use your business plan to bolster your character by including ample financial records, letters of recommendation and other relevant documents.

Lenders want to know that you have the ability to repay the loan. They evaluate this by looking at your business’ financial history to see how much revenue you have generated in the past and how much profit you have made.

Lenders might also judge your capacity based on your business’ financial projections as well as your personal credit history and household income. Where relevant, lenders look at your management team to see if they have the experience needed to grow your business or keep it on a path toward success.

When reviewing your loan application, lenders read your business plan to see how much money you need to borrow and how you will repay the loan. They also look at your financial statements to see how much cash you have on hand and how much debt you are carrying.

Likewise, lenders often prefer business owners who have made larger personal financial investments in their enterprises. A personal financial investment reveals your commitment to the business and demonstrates you have the resources to pay off a large loan.

Ultimately, a lender’s biggest concern is whether your business can realistically succeed. So, they judge your company’s chances of success using your business plan as well as current market conditions. A good business plan can improve your lender’s confidence by convincing the lender that market conditions and your business strategy increase your odds of success.

In some cases, lenders want to know that you have something of value that they can use to secure the loan. This can be property, equipment, inventory or even receivables. If you don’t have any collateral, lenders may still approve a loan if you have a good credit history and a solid business plan.

Find the Best Small Business Loans of 2024

• Best Small Business Loans
• Best No Credit Check Business Loans
• Best Business Lines Of Credit
• Best Startup Business Loans
• Best Business Loans For Bad Credit
• Best Startup Business Loans For Bad Credit
• Best Fast Business Loans
• Best LLC Loans
• Best Same-Day Business Loans
• Best Business Loans For Low-Revenue Companies
• National Funding Business Loans Review
• OnDeck Business Loans Review
• Bluevine Business Loan Review
• American Express Business Blueprint Review
• Fundbox Business Loans Review
• Lendio Business Loans Review
• Funding Circle Business Loans Review
• Rapid Finance Business Loans Review
• QuickBridge Business Loans Review
• Business Loan Calculator
• SBA Loan Calculator
• How To Get A Business Loan
• How Do Business Loans Work?
• How To Get A Startup Business Loan
• How To Get A Business Line Of Credit
• Guide To No-Doc Business Loans
• How To Get A Business Loan With No Money
• How To Get A Loan To Buy A Business
• How To Get a Small Business Grant
• 13 Business Grants For Women
• How Do I Find My EIN Online?
• Small Business Loan Terms

FundThrough Review 2024

How Hard Is It To Get A Business Loan?

Pros And Cons Of Business Loans

Balboa Capital Business Loans Review 2024

TD Bank Business Loans Review 2024

What Credit Score Do I Need For A Business Loan?

Kiah Treece is a small business owner and personal finance expert with experience in loans, business and personal finance, insurance and real estate. Her focus is on demystifying debt to help individuals and business owners take control of their finances. She has also been featured by Investopedia, Los Angeles Times, Money.com and other financial publications.

How To Apply for the $60K Barclays Small Business Grant

February 05, 2024 • 1 min read

BARCLAYS GRANTS

Barclays has just announced it's 2024 contest giving out 60 cash prizes ranging from $2K to $60K to U.S. based small businesses. Here's a summary of how the program works below and you can apply directly here .

📌 Pro-tip: On the Skip Dashboard, you can get a mock score of your story. Try it out here .

Here's a video by Skip CEO Ryder Pearce describing the Barclays program and how to apply. Let us know if you end up applying for this.

Funding Opportunity Summary

• Funding Availability: 60 Grants between $2K and $60K
• Eligibility: Must be a US based business owner with under $5 million annual revenue, less than 100 employees
• How to Apply: Must provide a photo and write a 500 word story about your business
• Due Date: Applications are due March 4, 2023 at 11:59pm EST.

barclays grants

small business grants

Copyright © 2024 , YoGovernment, Inc.

Blog / Small business tips / Tide vs Barclays: comparing free business bank accounts

Tide vs Barclays: comparing free business bank accounts

How long have you had your main current account? Have you tried comparing it with other bank accounts? One survey found that 35% of Brits have had the same personal current account with the same bank for over 20 years .

But if you’re opening a separate bank account for your business, it’s a good idea to shop around. Your personal account provider won’t necessarily be the best option.

In this post, we compare the free business bank accounts from Tide and Barclays: a digital challenger founded in 2015, versus a 300-year-old high-street banking giant.

Table of contents:

Tide vs barclays: business bank account options, comparing the free business bank accounts, opening a free business account, making and receiving electronic payments, depositing cash and cheques, using your card in the uk, using your card abroad, tools for managing your money, independent service quality survey: february 2023, summary: no time limit with tide.

Tide and Barclays both offer a free business bank account. This post will be comparing both free business bank accounts as well as the range of other current accounts they offer.

Tide account plans

Tide’s free business account is free for as long as you want to keep it. It’s open to sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies. There are no set-up or monthly fees, and your business does not have to be below a certain age to be eligible.

You can upgrade at any time to Tide Plus (£9.99 per month), Tide Pro (£18.99), or Tide Cashback (£49.99) for free transfers, expense cards, phone support – and other advanced features designed for growing businesses.

Note: Members, on any plan, can call the Fraud Rapid Response team by calling 159. Use  +44 20 4587 0366  if you’re calling from abroad. Lines are open 24/7.

Barclays business accounts

The Barclays start-up business account is free for the first 12 months only, and you can only apply if you’ve been trading for less than 12 months.

After the free period, you’ll move on to the Barclays Business Current Account – with exact features determined by whether your annual turnover is more or less than £400,000.

The Barclays Business Current Account has two payment plans: the Mixed Payments Plan (£8 per month) or the e-Payments Plan (£8.50) – which one you’re on will depend on how you usually make and receive payments.

We’ve already seen two big differences between the Tide free business bank account and the start-up business account from Barclays:

• You can keep your free Tide account for as long as you like, but the Barclays start-up business account is only free for the first 12 months.
• You can apply for a free Tide account no matter how old your business is, but you can only have a Barclays start-up account if you’re in your first 12 months of trading.

Now, let’s start by comparing the basics of these bank accounts:

Tide is not a bank. Our business accounts are provided by ClearBank, who are FCA-regulated. Up to £85,000 of your deposits are protected by the FSCS.

Barclays is a fully-regulated bank and your deposits would also be FSCS-protected, up to £85,000.

Opening a Tide business account

You can apply for a free Tide business account by downloading the Tide app. We’ll ask you to provide a form of photo ID and take a selfie to verify your identity – as well as proof that your business is already up and running.

Many new Tide accounts are open within minutes, and the majority are open in under an hour. It can sometimes take longer if we need more information. Once your account is opened, you should receive your Tide card within 2-4 business days.

Applying for a Barclays start-up business account

If you’re already a Barclays customer, you can log in to Online Banking and apply for a start-up business account there. Otherwise, you will need to download the Barclays app.

Like Tide, Barclays ask you to provide personal information and verify your identity. They will ask for details of:

• your business
• any other directors, and
• proof of your trading address.

Barclays aim to start processing your application within 7 days, and to send your account details and debit card within 7 days of opening your account.

It’s free to send money electronically from one Tide account to another. You pay 20p each time you send money to – or receive money from – any other bank account.

With a Barclays start-up business account, electronic payments are free for 12 months. After that, electronic payments are still free on the e-Payments Plan – and they cost 35p each on the Mixed Payments Plan.

Tide accepts cash deposits at Post Office branches and PayPoints.

At Post Offices, Tide charges £2.50 for cash deposits up to £500, or 0.5% of the cash amount for deposits over £500. At PayPoints, Tide charges 3% of the deposit amount.

You can’t deposit cheques into a Tide account.

Barclays start-up business account customers can deposit cash and cheques into their account for free for the first 12 months, then charges are:

Cash : 90p per £100 on Mixed Payments Plan, or £1.50 per £100 on e-Payments Plan Cheques : 65p on Mixed Payments Plan, or £1.50 on e-Payments Plan

Tide and Barclays both offer free UK card transactions, and they both provide a debit card with a £100 contactless spending limit.

It costs £1 to withdraw cash at an ATM with Tide, and it’s free with Barclays.

Tide will replace a lost card for free. At Barclays, you can report a lost or stolen card via the app, online banking, or at a branch. Once reported, you can order a replacement card for free with standard delivery. This takes up to 5 working days.

When you use your Tide card abroad, you pay the Mastercard exchange rate only – we don’t charge any additional fees. ATM withdrawals cost £1 abroad (the same as in the UK).

Barclays charges a 2.75% Non-Sterling Transaction Fee for using your debit card abroad when making purchases, withdrawing cash from an ATM, or when you are being refunded.

The Tide free business account comes with a bunch of features designed to take the hassle out of managing your money. These include the ability to:

• schedule payments via Direct Debit and standing order, and manage them in-app
• connect your accounting software to your Tide account for easy financial reporting
• automatically categorise spending for better cash flow insights and accounting
• create and send professional, customised invoices from within the Tide app
• grant read-only access to team members for safe, secure information sharing

Barclays start-up business account holders get the invoicing and accounting software FreshBooks for free (otherwise worth over £260 per year). Additional features include:

• business management and growth advice over the phone, from a UK-based team
• a secure cash and cheque collection service, provided by G4S
• deposit cheques in-app by uploading a photo of the cheque
• mobile invoicing and online group payments
• borrowing options from Barclays and their partners

As part of a regulatory requirement, an independent survey was conducted to ask approximately 1,200 customers of each of the 15 largest business bank account providers if they would recommend their provider to other small and medium-sized enterprises.

Here’s how Tide and Barclays compared in February 2023.

Overall service quality

Customers were asked how likely they would be to recommend their business current account provider to other SMEs:

Online and mobile banking services

Customers were asked how likely they would be to recommend their provider’s online and mobile banking services to other SMEs:

Relationship and account management

Customers were asked how likely they would be to recommend their provider’s relationship/account management to other SMEs:

Find out more about the Business banking service quality survey at the BVA BDRC website .

So there you have it. After comparing Tide and Barclays’ free business bank accounts, we know that both can be accessed online and via a smartphone app – with similar tools and features for managing your business finances.

But here’s what we think sets Tide apart if you’re trying to decide between the two:

• We open accounts in minutes and hours, not days Unless we need extra information about you or your business, your Tide account should be open within minutes. It can take Barclays up to 7 days to even begin processing your application.
• There’s no expiry date on your free Tide account You only get 12 months of free business banking with Barclays, but a Tide free business account has no expiry date. Plus, we don’t restrict our free account to businesses that are less than a year old.
• We’re 100% focused on founders We don’t offer personal accounts because we exist solely to help people fulfil their dream of working for themselves. Sole traders, freelancers, limited company owners – everything we do, we do it for you.

From forming your company and registering for VAT to setting up a virtual office and improving your cash flow , we’re here for you every step of the way.

Sources used for this article:

• Barclays Start-up Business Account: https://www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/accounts/start-up-business-account
• Barclays business accounts rates and charges: https://www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/accounts/rates-and-charges/  
• Barclays Free Money Transmission Tariff: https://www.barclays.co.uk/content/dam/documents/business/Accounts/BAR_9909360.p1_Lo.pdf
• Barclays Current Account Price Plan Charges: https://www.barclays.co.uk/content/dam/documents/business/Accounts/BAR_9912312_UK-0521_Online.pdf  
• Barclays Business Debit Card User Guide: https://www.barclays.co.uk/content/dam/documents/business/Accounts/BAR_9986145.PDF
• Barclays – Do I need a business bank account? https://www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/business-insight/do-i-need-a-business-bank-account/#ref1  
• BVA BDRC, Business banking service quality survey (February 2023): https://www.bva-bdrc.com/products/business-banking-service-quality-great-britain/  

All sources checked March 2023. The beforehand information is provided for reference purposes only.  We give no warranty of any kind nor accept any liability whatsoever in connection with the sources, nor any third party’s products or services.

Subscribe to our FREE business tips newsletter

I am a: Sole Trader Registered Business

By subscribing you agree to receive marketing communications from Tide. You can unsubscribe anytime using the link in the footer of any of our emails. See our privacy policy .

Thanks for signing up.

Related Articles

Tide vs HSBC: comparing free business bank accounts

Tide vs NatWest: comparing free business bank accounts

Tide vs Starling: comparing business bank accounts

A business bank account that's free, easy to open, and helps you start doing what you love..

Tide is about doing what you love. That’s why we’re trusted by 575,000+ sole traders, freelancers and limited companies throughout the UK.

Get useful stuff in your inbox

Be the first to hear about our webinars, new features and business tips to help you save time and money.

Welcome to the Tide community!

Contact our Support team now on phone   01277 284499 . They are on hand to answer any questions you may have about opening a Tide account or any of our products, 9am - 6pm daily.

• Wealth Management
• Private Bank
• International Banking

Business accounts for established businesses

Surrounding you with a team of experts.

When you want support to grow your business, we’ll provide an expert team tailored to your needs. Fuel your growth with local knowledge, sector expertise and connections to specialists in cashflow, international expansion, payments and more.

More than just a business bank account

Gain an edge over your competitors with access to a team of expert Business Managers. They’ll act as a trusted partners as you manage, sustain and grow your business. Whatever your plans, they’ll suggest products and services to help you succeed.

If your business has an annual turnover of more than £400,000, you can request a callback to apply for a business account. 

Have you been trading for less than 12 months?

Discover the support that we offer to startups and newly established businesses, and apply for a business bank account.

Supporting your business, every step of the way

Over 300 years of expertise.

Benefit from our experience, knowledge and services that cover most industry sectors.

Barclaycard payment solutions

Take payments in a way that suits you.

Whether you do business in person, online or in an app, Barclaycard makes it easy for you to sell and your customers to buy.

24-hour fraud protection 

Enjoy peace of mind, knowing your finances are safe. We protect your money every second of the day.

Supporting women in business

We’re inspired by the UK’s female entrepreneurs, who overcome many additional barriers and challenges, on top of the high demands of running their businesses day-to-day.

That’s why we’re committed to offering meaningful, ongoing support and investment to empower women in business. See how we could help with female entrepreneurial networks, events, mentorship, education and skill building.  

Get more rewards for banking with us

Our partnerships let you access extra services and more support.

Explore our business marketplace to see what else our approved partners can offer you, including exclusive discounts, payments services, workplace pensions and more.

Apply for a business account in our app

Both new and existing customers can apply for a business bank account in our app.

If you don’t already have the app, you’ll need to register for the app first – you must be 18 or over and a UK resident. 

Apply for a business account online

Whether you’re a new customer or already bank with us, we’ll need some basic information from you when you apply.

Find out what information we’ll need using this business banking checklist from UK Finance, the UK’s leading trade association for financial services. 

Have you been asked to use Barclays Verify?

Find out how to verify your identity with the our app.

Annual turnover of more than £400,000?

If your business has a turnover of more than £400,000 per year, you can request a callback to apply for a business account over the phone.

Switch to us

The Current Account Switch Service lets you move your account from your bank or building society to us in a simple, reliable and hassle-free way.

Choose a full switch if you’re ready to close your existing business account, or a partial switch if you’re not.

You’ll need:

• Your address history for the last three years
• Your business details, like your registration number, trading address and date of incorporation (if your business is a limited company)
• Your personal details
• Details of your financial arrangements, like mortgages, loans and credit cards.

Price plans

Free digital banking for 12 months.

Enjoy no monthly account fees for the first 12 months (1) , then pay £8.50 each month after that with one simple tariff. Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren't eligible for this offer.

Standard transactions

For more details on transaction fees and tariffs, including transactions made at the branch counter,  visit our rates and charges page . 

More reasons to choose us

High growth and entrepreneurs

Rapid growth brings challenges, thick and fast. That’s why we connect high-growth businesses and entrepreneurs with our broad network featuring expert relationship teams, routes to finance, practical tools, inspiration and more.

Our innovative approach means you don’t just bank with us – you bank on your future.

Doing business abroad

We’ll help you reach opportunities overseas – whether you’re importing or exporting, just starting out or expanding further.

Our International Managers are here to support you with insights and guidance. You can also take advantage of our tools, discounts and simplify overseas trading with international payment solutions and foreign currency accounts.

Net Zero Specialists supporting your journey towards net zero

Our Net Zero Specialists can help you to explore the options available on your transition journey towards net zero, working with you to assess your current level of progress and providing tailored next steps and resources.

• Important information

Businesses with existing Barclays business current accounts aren't eligible for this offer. There are no monthly account fees for the first 12 months, after that you’ll pay £8.50 per month. Transaction charges apply.  See a full list of transaction charges , [PDF, 376KB] (Return to reference)

• Fraud prevention
• Credit card fraud
• Help & FAQs
• Find Barclays

Information

• Terms and conditions
• Rates and charges
• Arrears assistance review
• Service status

Site information

• Security certification
• Accessibility
• Cookies policy
• Privacy policy
• home.barclays

Barclays Bank UK PLC and Barclays Bank PLC are each authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited and Barclays Investment Solutions Limited are each authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Registered office for all: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP