Which bank to choose

[pctech]

My personal accounts are with First Direct whom I moved to from Smile after receiving bad service and a 'couldn't give a stuff' attitude to helping me when their system decided of its own accord to stop paying my standing orders even though my salary was there

 

Anyway, had no issue with FD but am now looking to start up a small venture I will initially run in my spare time but am hoping to build into a business.

 

Now I know I need to set up a business account but I know FD don't do them.

 

I had an HSBC credit card some years ago I paid off and shut down because of the dire offshored Customer 'Service'.

 

More recently I opened a savings account with their M&S Bank JV and had to ring up to reset my password, it took me 15 minutes to actually get this done as the person was struggling with their English. (it usually takes me 5 minutes tops to deal with anything with FD)

 

I wrote to close the account and explained that the CS was why I was closing the account.

 

Anyway I digress.

 

The point of explaining the above is that I don't really want to go to HSBC or co-op.

 

So anyone have any suggestions for one that:

 

Has UK based CS

Doesn't cost a fortune to run (brief research indicates there are a couple that have fixed monthly fees)

Doesn't require a trading history (I will not be needing credit facilities from the bank and until such time as it is generating sufficient turnover will have a standing order in place to fund the account with the capital required to pay the monthly running costs)

 

Any suggestions appreciated.