Ah its good to see all the responses. I thank you all for your support - I will try to reply to all of them in this message but it may take two
I'm hearing this a lot amongst us UK people. I do think it is a serious problem. Which banks have you tried?
I have tried Halifax, Lloyds, Barclays and Santander. I have not tried the others as I wish to change tactic a little.
fully understand.
You're a legend - thanks again.
In Australia the best bet is to promise to only accept cash deposits.
That way there is zero risk of people claiming the transfers were stolen etc.
Might help.
I believe this is a risk the banks would not be willing to take as there is high risk of money laundering. It is also unsuitable for my business model as I would significantly reduce my customer base.
I realise it is a lot to ask but is there maybe a chance that you could speak to your bank contact and ask them for other contacts within Halifax that would be willing to listen to small bitcoin business owners/entrepreneurs who have a solid business plan and now need a bank account?
At least then when the next thread comes up on this board of a UK business owner despairing at not being able to get banking (this is the second I've seen this week), we could say, "franky1 has some banking contacts who are at least willing to listen to you, ask them in PM for the details"
I admire your optimism but I doubt that one bank manager around the country is going to able to help a wealth of bitcoin related businesses. This is a systematic problem that has to be tackled head on.
Just don't tell them about bitcoin, simple. You don't have to lie, just skirt around the issue.
I was thinking of doing something similar, or changing my business plan accordingly and start introducing bitcoin at a later date. Maybe, just maybe. It still pees me off that one would have to go to one lengths - its not like I'm selling methamphetamine to kids.
I really would not advise this course of action if you're an honest businessperson (yes, I realise that banks are some of the most dishonest organisations in existence). This is a Mark Karpeles move.
I totally agree, I have never done a days dishonest business in my life and I really don't plan too.
You can still run into issues. A high volume of cash deposits can in itself cause you to be deemed "high risk" under a bank's risk management policies (which they are required by law to have and implement). "High risk" accounts aren't generally worth the administrative burden and compliance costs they incur for the bank. A single fine in relation to activity on your account could cost them millions.
You need to understand that banks don't give a shit about what people do with their money. They care about whether having you as a customer is going to expose them to liability and whether they're going to make a profit from having you as a customer (you're less desirable as a customer if servicing your account costs them more than servicing the account of another customer with a similar pattern and value of transactions).
You are bang on there my friend (but they DO give a shit about BITCOIN - this is the problem). The total fucking irony is that when I ran a business selling silver bullion the banks didn't give a shit - and the business model is exactly the same.
I was Born in the UK, my brother still lives over there... We were just speaking about TSB and how they are doing a lot of under-the-table "hush-hush" deals to win customers over. So, if you haven't already, I'd suggest that you visit your nearest branch in person - rather than just giving them a phonecall. If you want to tell them what you're business really does that is up to you - I wouldn't - but there you go.
Another option would be one of the Crown Dependencies. As a UK citizen you have rights in those countries that allow you to bank there. Jersey, Isle of Man, Cayman Islands etc. I would go with a long established private bank rather than the usual HSBC's etc... Less questions asked, Less international interference, Zero Tax etc. This is probably your best bet but, again, I wouldn't tell them exactly what your business is - the less complicated YOU make things, the less complicated things will be
The problem with going to branch is when they ask you you're turn over. I turned over 75k in a month and a half and whenever you state you turnover more then say 150k they instantly tell them you have to talk to there senior managers and you will have to book a meeting via telephone.
The crown dependencies is not an option for me. I sell to the British market, who want to be able to deposit it my bank account instantly and without charges. The crown dependencies will not offer me this benefit.
This is a huge problem in the UK and its one that needs to be addressed. Upon looking around at other people have have experience similar problems there seems to a reoccurring problem, not enough people complaining to make the powers address the issue fully. This is why I think we should get organised, so we can all send correspondence to the same people, sign petitions and do this the old fashioned way. It is the only way that will work (although it will take some time).
