having the right people (bank managers) around you

The IT Refinery is my third company. I’ve always been responsible for the banking in the companies I’ve run and I have to say it’s always been a real chore.

When starting my previous company it was difficult to get banks to even return my calls about setting up a business bank account. Once we did, finally, get setup with a business account everything except the simplest of transactions caused pain and the customer service we received from the bank (who I won’t name) was absolutely appalling. I have twice been disowned by supposed managers and shunted off to someone else who has “always been our manager” despite previous correspondence to the contrary.

My previous company mainly sold to European clients and the currency account we held with our bank to make that work was the bane of my life. There was no way to see transactions on the account online, and even when calling the bank it was pot luck whether the person I spoke to knew how to check the real time transaction view for non-Sterling accounts.

Finally I cracked and decided to look again at banks. After looking around for people who offered sensible Euro accounts I came across Northern Bank, a recently created London branch of Danske Bank. From the very first enquiring phone call with them they have been friendly, informative and reliable. A bank that calls you back when they say they will, it was a revelation.

They have sensible online Euro banking, the accounts are first class citizens alongside their Sterling accounts. They gave me a manager who not only knew who I was, but was friendly and thoughtful, proactively making suggestions that would genuinely save me time and money.

Banking doesn’t have to be painful. If dealing with your bank is wearing you down, look around! Trust me it’s worth it.