Opening a new account
Opening an Account is Easy
What's needed to open your account?
When you open a new account with us, we are required by law to ask you to prove who you are and where you live. This is to comply with money laundering regulations and to help stop criminals using financial products or services to move money around. These security checks apply to both new and existing customers.
As well as fulfilling our legal responsibility, we aim to help combat financial crime and protect you from criminals who might otherwise falsely use your name, without your knowledge.
To open a new account, simply visit one of our branches with original documentary proof of your identity and your address. This should be one item from the Identification table and one item from the Address verification table below. Please note that you can't use the same item to confirm both your name and address.
| Address Verification Table |
|---|
| Current signed Passport |
| Council Tax bill or payment book (within last 12 months) |
| Utility bill - within last 6 months (mobile phone bills, internet access bills are not acceptable) |
| Current full UK photcard driving licence |
| Current full UK driving licence (old style paper licence) |
| Bank / Building society / Credit card statement (within last 6 months) |
| Original mortgage statement (no more than 12 months old) |
| Benefits book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept. of Work and Pensions) and/or Job Centre Plus confirming the right to benefits at present |
| Current home or motor insurance certificate (issued within the last 12 months, can only be used by policy holder) |
| Current local council rent card or tenancy agreement (private tenancy agreements are not acceptable) |
| Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence |
| Solicitor's letter confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation |
| For Students |
| Any item from above can be taken to confirm address. Alternatively, one of the following items is also acceptable. |
| University / College letter of acceptance / enrolment offer |
| Student Loan Company / LEA / SAAS award letter |
| UCAS Letter |
| Introduction from a recognised UK college / university |
| For 20 years and under |
| UK provisional photocard driving licence. |
For existing customers - one of the following is also acceptable, in addition to an item from the Identification Table:
- Recent Royal Bank of Scotland bank statement**
- Sight of cheque/cheque card which has been sent to current address, issued within last 6 months
If you are unable to meet these requirements, please speak to your Business Relationship Manager who will provide further assistance.
back to topAdditional Documentation
Below you can see which additional documentation will be required from various types of business. It's only a partial list - your Business Relationship Manager will be able to help you further
| Additional Business Documentation | |
|---|---|
| Partnerships | Partnership agreement or contract of co-partner |
| Limited companies and limited liability partnerships | Certificate of incorporation |
| Clubs, societies, associations, churches or charities | Copy of the organisation's constitution |
| Trust | Trust deed |
| New Business Start Ups | Business plan and cashflow forecast |
| Established businesses | 2 year's audited accounts |
| Non-Royal Bank customers | 6 months' business bank statements |
Standard Business Account Tariffs
- Please also read our website terms and conditions which cover your use of this website