Small Business Start-up Current Account

Our Small Business Start-up Current Account offers a straightforward way to get your new business up and running. It provides the tools you need to manage and grow your business with ease.

Features and benefits

Fee free banking in year 1

Our Small Business Start-up Current Account comes with no transaction fees in your first year and a 50% discount on fees in your second, so you can focus on growth from day one. Other fees and charges may apply. Please see our Schedule of charges for full details.

Access your money

Anywhere and anytime. Use our digital banking and 365 phone.

Business Visa debit card

Use your widely accepted Visa card to make payments anywhere: online, in store, over the phone or through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Support for your business

Access support from our dedicated Business teams across Northern Ireland. Eligibility criteria may apply.

Free access to electronic banking channels

Manage your finances with our easy-to-use digital banking and 365 phone. 24 hours per day. 365 days a year. Transaction charges may apply.

Banking at Post Office

Manage your banking at our branches or your local Post Office. Some services may only be available in branches.

Is a Small Business Start-up Current Account right for my business?

This product may be right for you if:

You want to manage your everyday finances like making and receiving payments
Your company is new to Bank of Ireland UK
Your annual turnover is less than £2 million
Your business has been trading for less than 24 months
You are at least 18 years old
Your business is based in Northern Ireland

This product may not be right for you if:

You already have an existing bank account with Bank of Ireland UK
You want to receive interest on your balance
You need an account for your personal finances
You will not be using the account for regular transactions
Your business is based outside Northern Ireland

Account fees

No maintenance or transaction fees for the first 12 months.

You’ll pay no transaction or maintenance fees for the first 12 months. In Year 2, you’ll receive 50% off standard fees. From Year 3, standard fees apply.

	Quarterly maintenance fee	Fee discount %
Year 1	£0	100%
Year 2	£12.50	50%
Year 3 onwards	£25	0%

No transaction or account maintenance fees apply during the first 12 months of your account. In months 13 to 24, a 50% discount applies to standard transaction and account maintenance fees. From Year 3 onwards, standard fees apply. Fees are calculated quarterly and charged in March, June, September and December following at least 14 days’ notice.

Other fees and charges may apply, for example, when using electronic banking, additional services or making foreign currency or international payments. Please see our Schedule of charges for business customers for full details.

How to apply

Step 1

Check your eligibility

Before applying, please review our eligibility criteria to ensure your business is eligible for a Small Business Start-up Current Account.

Step 2

Read the key information

Read the features and benefits and account fees information for our Small Business Start-up Current Account carefully to make sure the account is right for your business.

Step 3

Request an application pack

Complete our Business Account Request Form and provide some information about your business.

We’ll use this information to confirm your eligibility and help you to identify the most suitable account for your business.

For new customers, we’ll email an application pack together with details of any supporting information and documentation required. For existing customers, we will review the information we already hold and contact you to advise on the next steps.

Request an application pack

Step 4

Complete and return your application

If an application form is required, complete and return the application form together with any supporting documentation requested.

We’ll review the information provided and may contact you if we need any additional information.

Step 5

We’ll review your application

Once we receive your completed application and supporting documentation, we’ll carry out eligibility, identity and fraud prevention checks.

All applications are subject to approval. We’ll let you know the outcome once our review is complete.

Switch guarantee

Switching to us means moving your Business Current Account to us from another provider, this includes your Direct Debits, Standing Orders and incoming payments. It also means you don’t have to take care of the admin. The Current Account Switch Service is a simple, reliable and free way to switch your business current account to us. It is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee.

Useful links

FCA service quality metrics

Smarter everyday banking

Guide to banking for business customers (NI)

Guide to banking for business customers (GB)

Payment transaction history

Enquiring about a term loan

Locate your branch

Tax reporting, FATCA and CRS

Dealing with debt

Schedule of charges (NI)

Schedule of charges (GB)

Financial Wellbeing support centre

Business Current Account opening guide

Frequently asked questions

What is a Small Business Start-up Current Account?
A Small Business Start-up Current Account is designed to help you manage your everyday business finances. It is specifically available to businesses who have been trading for less than 2 years and have an annual turnover below £2 million. It is designed for day to day business use, rather than saving or long term investment. You can use it to:
- Receive payments from your customers
- Pay suppliers and employees
- Move money in and out of your account with ease
- Make purchases using your business debit card.

What is the difference between a Business Current Account and a Small Business Start-up Account?
Both accounts offer the same core banking features. The Small Business Start-up Current Account is designed for businesses trading for less than 24 months with an annual turnover of less than £2 million and includes introductory fee discounts.

Who can apply for a Small Business Start-up Current Account?
You may be eligible if:
- Your business has been trading for less than 24 months
- Your annual turnover is less than £2 million
- You are a new Bank of Ireland UK Current Account customer
- You are aged 18 or over
- Your business is based in Northern Ireland.

What are the benefits of a Small Business Start-up Current Account?
- Our Small Business Start-up Current Account comes with no transaction or account maintenance fees in your first year and a 50% discount in year 2
- Free access to B365 online banking, giving you a clear, real‑time view of your business finances. Transaction charges may still apply
- Free Business Visa debit cards to help you make secure, everyday purchases with ease.
Fees and charges apply and will vary depending on how you use the account.

What fees and charges apply for a Small Business Start-up Current Account?
You’ll pay no transaction or maintenance fees for the first 12 months. In Year 2, you’ll receive 50% off standard account maintenance and transaction fees. From Year 3, standard fees apply.
Additional charges may apply depending on how you use your account. Full details can be found in our Schedule of Charges for Business Customers.

Can I switch my existing Business Current Account to Bank of Ireland UK?
Yes. We use the Current Account Switching Service (CASS) to make switching easy. Availability of the switching service depends on your circumstances. Find out more about the switching service.

Can I apply for a Small Business Start-up Current Account if I am an existing customer?
No, the Small Business Start-up Current Account is only available to new customers.