How do I open a business account?

1. Choose the account. Business checking, a treasury account, or a multi-currency structure — the business pages compare them.
2. Gather your documents. Certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents, proof of registered address, plus identification and proof of address for every director, authorised signatory and beneficial owner holding 25% or more.
3. Complete the application. Include the nature of the business, expected monthly turnover, main trading countries and your principal counterparties.
4. Verification. We verify the entity and each individual, and run sanctions and adverse-media checks.
5. Approval and setup. On approval, users are created for each signatory with the permissions you specified.

What causes delays

• Ownership structures involving holding companies or trusts, which require documents for each layer until the ultimate individuals are identified.
• Directors resident in different countries, each needing separate verification.
• A vague description of business activity. Be specific about what you sell, to whom, and how you get paid.