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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Starting Business has built up a strong association with international banks in over 50 different jurisdictions. We strongly believe that our team of specialists offer the best combination of services, pricing and quality, with no hidden costs.

The bank accounts opening procedure includes:

  • Verifying personal and corporate documentation.
  • Completion of the bank forms which will be forwarded to you for signing (with relevant instructions).
  • Sending the full package to the bank for final approval.
  • Monitoring the account opening process until the account allocation and banking package are received.

PLEASE NOTE:

The prices listed on our website for the assistance of bank account opening are the professional fees only and do not cover any bank charges and commissions for account maintenance or transactions.

Our professional fees are stated for companies whose business activities do not require professional licensing and regulation (e.g. trading, holding, service or real estate companies). If you own a financial company dealing with third-party funds (e.g. a forex brokerage), or any other company licensed and regulated by a recognised government authority, please contact us for a quote.

We are unable to open bank accounts for citizens of countries or territories sanctioned by the European Commission or the United Nations.

If you are looking to open a bank account in a particular country or bank, please contact us by email at [email protected], or call us on +44 (0) 203-519-1398.

Banks are entitled at their sole discretion to accept or reject applications to open an account; as such, we will introduce you to the bank and guide you through the whole account opening process. However, we cannot guarantee that your account will be approved by the bank and successfully opened.

REQUIREMENTS FOR OPENING AN INDIVIDUAL BANK ACCOUNT

Please provide the following documents for all authorised signatories:

  • Notarized copy of a valid passport
  • Original or certified copy of a utility bill or bank statement (must not be older than three months).
  • Original or certified copy of a banker’s reference letter (must not be older than three months).
  • Application Form
  • Personal CV

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
  • Once all documentation is available, please email electronic copies to our representative for review; incomplete or unexecuted forms can create delays in the account opening process.
REQUIREMENTS FOR OPENING A CORPORATE BANK ACCOUNT

For the company:

A set of legalised company documents consisting of:

  • Certificate of incorporation
  • Memorandum and articles of associations,/li>
  • Documents confirming the appointment of company directors and secretary (if any),/li>
  • Document confirming the location of the registered office
  • Share certificate(s)
  • Certificate of good standing (if the company is more than 12 months old)
  • Copy of the corporate structure, identifying the ultimate beneficial owner(s)
  • Valid license (if applicable)

For each director, shareholder, secretary, authorised signatory and ultimate beneficial owner:

  • Notarized copy of a valid passport (note: the passport must be signed and the signature should match the signature on the application form. The photograph must also be clear and of good quality).
  • Original or notarized copy of a utility bill or bank statement (must not be older than three months).
  • Original or notarized copy of a banker's reference letter (must not be older than three months).
  • Power of attorney (where applicable).
  • Personal CV.

For each corporate officer (where the company directors or shareholders are legal entities), please provide:

A set of legalised company documents consisting of:

  • Copy of the constitutional documents (certificate of incorporation, articles, etc.).
  • Copy of the corporate register (which should include register of shareholders, directors and secretary).
  • Copy of the corporate structure.
  • Certificate of good standing.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
  • Once all documentation is available, please email electronic copies to our representative for review; incomplete or unexecuted forms can create delays in the account opening process.

We operate across a wide range of business activities. However, there are several types of businesses that are not currently approved by Starting Business.

Licensable Activities: If you conduct any activity without the required license or authorisation as granted by the relevant authority in any jurisdiction, Starting Business will not be able to assist you with the opening of a bank account related to such unlicensed activity.

Licensable activities include, but are not limited to: provision of financial services involving trading/brokerage in foreign exchange, financial and commodity-based derivative instruments and other securities; offering investment advice to the public; insurance and banking business; operation and administration of collective investment schemes and mutual funds; payment processing services; money exchange, money transmission or money brokering; asset management; safe custody services; gaming, gambling and lotteries.

Please contact us if you need assistance in the licensing of your financial, forex brokerage or gambling company.

Businesses that engage in the following categories are prohibited from using Starting Business services:

  • Any illegal or criminal activities (or individuals that are blacklisted under the laws of any country).
  • Arms, weapons, munitions, mercenary or contract soldiering.
  • Devices that could lead to the abuse of human rights or be utilised for torture.
  • Technical surveillance or bugging equipment for industrial espionage.
  • Dangerous or hazardous biological, chemical or nuclear materials including equipment or machinery used to manufacture, handle or dispose of such materials.
  • Human or animal organs, the abuse of animals or use of animals for any scientific or product testing.
  • Genetic material.
  • Adoption agencies, including surrogate motherhood.
  • The abuse of human rights.
  • Pornography.
  • Drug paraphernalia.
  • Pyramid sales.
  • Religious cults and their charities.
  • Business activities which, by the laws and regulations of the country of formation of the entity, are subject to licensing and which are conducted without obtainment of a license.
  • Any other activity, which, in the opinion of Starting Business, may damage the reputation of Starting Business or that of the country of formation of the entity.

Shipping of corporate documents or banking kits to your destination requires an extra charge and will be automatically added to the invoice during checkout. Shipping costs for international courier services are set automatically at $130. Please be advised that there are some exceptions where the fee may be higher.