Seems simple – if you are with the right bank. 

Kirit Ved (Ved’s News, Stoke Newington, north-east London) writes that he is self employed and is trying to get a business Bounce Back Load (BBL) from the authorised lenders. He writes: “But all of them are asking for a business account with them, which I don’t have. I have a current account with Halifax but they are not an authorised lender. I will appreciate if you can point me in the right direction to whom and how should I apply.”

All I could suggest was opening an account with an authorised lender. There are plenty of them.

You can make an application if:

  • Your business has been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
  • The business was not a business in difficulty at 31 December
  • Your business is engaged in trading or commercial activity in the UK and was established by 1 March 2020
  • You are not using the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) (unless the Bounce Back Loan will refinance the whole of your CBIL)
  • The business is not in bankruptcy or liquidation or undergoing debt restructuring at the time it submits its application for finance
  • The company derives more than 50% of its income from its trading activity

I know someone who applied through HSBC and not only found it a pretty easy process but was surprised to get £30,000 in his business account quite promptly.

Kirit has since told me that Santander has taken his details and will let him know shortly.

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