Free banking

[Duncan]

I'm treasurer for our club, and we currently bank with Santander (previously Alliance and Leicester till they got taken over). It has all been free, but they are soon going to start charging. There will still be no monthly fee if we used their most basic online service (which is fine), but 30p-40p per online payment. As a club with lots of events and a busy schools development program, we have 150-200 outbound payments to make a year, and 50-100 inbound payments, so the charges will start to add up. I'm looking for alternatives.

Can anyone recommend a bank with business banking (or specializing in clubs etc.) that offers
-- banking at least up to 50k turnover (that would actually be more than enough!)
-- no monthly charge
-- no transaction fee for making or receiving online payments, or writing cheques, or paying in cheques
-- online banking, with ability to view transactions, and make payments online (ideally including authorization from another member)
-- cheque book.

Equally if others have banks that do charge, I'm also interested to know (saves me finding out about them myself).

[Nimby]

I'm a club treasurer too. We have a Lloyds business account under their "clubs and charities" scheme.

No charges while in credit, and online banking can be set up so that two club officers have to approve payments. There is a £50k turnover limit though.

http://www.lloydsbankbusiness.com/community/accounts/index.asp

[frostbite]

Mrs Frostbite (Aire treasurer) recommends the HSBC Community Account. It was recommended to her by the SYO treasurer.

All normal banking is free. She isn't sure about a turnover limit but it has not been an issue for Aire.

edit:
I've just checked - 100K limit
http://www.business.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/busi ... ty-account

[mappingmum]

I was treasurer of the regional hockey association and I moved our banking to the Nationwide for a more favourable interest rate.

They offer a savings account aimed at clubs and societies with free banking:
http://www.nationwide.co.uk/products/sa ... d-benefits

I recall I had to supply the constitution and minutes agreeing to a bank change.