Opening a bank account after purchase

Why accounts are not included

Banks open accounts for people, not for empty companies. A bank must identify the owners and understand the business before it opens an account, so an account cannot lawfully be 'pre-opened' and handed over with the company.

What banks want to see

• Certified company documents showing the new owners and directors
• Identification and proof of address for each of them
• A clear description of the business, customers and suppliers
• Expected turnover, countries involved and typical payment sizes
• Evidence of the owners' experience and source of funds
• A website, contracts or invoices if you already have them

Prepare the story of the business

Most rejections come from vague applications. Explain in plain language what you sell, to whom, in which countries and why this company is in this jurisdiction. Consistency between your documents, your website and your answers matters more than anything else.

Traditional banks and payment institutions

Traditional banks offer the widest services but are slower and more selective, especially for non-resident owners. Licensed electronic money and payment institutions are often faster and fully remote, and many businesses run on them successfully.

Jurisdiction matters

A UK, Irish or Dutch company owned by a resident is straightforward. An offshore company owned by a non-resident will face more questions and a smaller choice of providers. Factor this in before you choose the country.

How we help

We provide certified and apostilled documents, advise which providers are realistic for your profile and support the application. No one can guarantee a bank's decision, and we will never claim otherwise. See add-on services.