I am a discharged bankrupt and have just became self employed as a home help/cleaner. Where can I open a business bank account?

Thanks fruitcake! You really should change your name as from looking at your comments on other questions you seem to know your stuff and are definately no fruitcake, lol. xx

Aww, thank you, don-don, what a lovely thing to say! According to my friends, I really am a fruitcake though... :-)

Yes, lewis, I have done the same.

Thank you Lewis, I had decided to run the business through my personal a/c anyway as its not really a major money making scheme and a lot of my domestic customers pay with cash anyway. Would you recommend I open another personal a/c and how do you go about this as do the majority of them not require wages to be paid in to them?

It may be worth opening a new account if the tax man may have to get involved - it just makes it easier to manage. However, you can continue to use your personal current account if you keep good books.

As for the accounts themselves, banks do like you to pay in your salary, but if you don't, usually you'll simply not get the benefits (promotional in-credit interest rate, interest-free overdraft etc) rather than be denied the account. personally I have five current accounts (although only 3 in regular use) just to help me better organise my money. If you're worried, simply ask for a basic bank account (usually not available online). you'll not be allowed an overdraft or chequebook, but acceptance is guaranteed. I have this type of account with the Halifax and Barclays, as well as a joint account with my fiancée.