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Community bank account

Do more with a Community bank account

We’re championing the power of community 

What is a not-for-profit bank account?

A Community bank account is designed to meet the needs of charities, clubs and societies. We've designed our Community account to be useful, simple, and easy to understand. So you can spend more time focusing on doing what really matters.

Want to see our other business current accounts? See the range

An everyday account for charities, clubs and societies

Access award-winning* online accounting software for free with this business current account as long as you retain your bank account (optional add-ons may be chargeable)

24/7 Digital Banking and Phone Banking

Bank anywhere with our mobile banking app

*Friendliest Software of the Year, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Luca Awards 2024.

Eligibility criteria and terms apply. Click apply now for more information. The app is available with compatible IOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. 

Before you apply...

To open a Community bank account, you’ll need the personal details of all of the partners, members or directors of the business (including their home addresses for the last 3 years). You’ll also need your business details, including your company’s registration number (provided by Companies House) if you’re a limited company. All the details are in the "Apply now" section, which will help you to prepare.

You can apply for free banking if you're an existing Royal Bank personal or business banking customer*, and your Community account's annual credit turnover is less than £100,000**.

* At least one of the parties named in the application must be an existing Royal Bank customer - if there is no existing relationship your application will be declined.
** If your turnover exceeds £100k, your account will be moved onto our Standard Tariff. Fees & charges apply.

Free banking on everyday transactions is subject to status. It means the charges for day to day running of your account (known as your service charges) won’t apply. Charges for unarranged overdrafts, international payments and any additional services are not part of the free banking offer. Subject to the terms and conditions of the account, we’ll always give you at least 60 days notice of any changes to the service charge tariff that will apply to your account before you start to incur charges.

Apply for our Community bank account

Got 10 minutes to fill in your application? Let's get started. 

Continue

Great, first let's check if you're eligible to apply.

  • You're aged 18 or over.
  • You're the owner or director of the business you’re applying on behalf of.
  • At least one person on the application must be a UK resident.
  • Your business must be registered for income tax or corporation tax purposes in the UK.
  • You haven't been declared bankrupt or received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) or Court Decree.
  • If your business turnover is over £2m, we'll ask you to provide evidence of this.

Important information

 

Business Account Terms (PDF, 279 KB)

Financial Services Compensation Scheme Guide (PDF, 45KB)

Our charges are changing

Business Account Charges Booklet (PDF, 549 KB)
Effective for charging periods starting on or before 29th August 2025

Business Account Charges Booklet (PDF, 76 KB)
From 30th August 2025 the new charges will apply from the start of your next charging period.

For example, if your charging period starts on 29th August 2025, you will be charged based on the first booklet until the end of this charging period. After this period finishes, you will then move to the charges in the second booklet.

CHAPS and International Payments Tariff document (PDF, 51 KB)
Effective from 1st September 2025

 

Important things to consider before applying

 

 

Consider which account you need

 

During your application, you'll have to select the type of account you'll need:

  • a Business Current Account - used for the day to day running of your business, OR
  • a Loan Servicing Account - used ONLY for loan repayment purposes. You'll need this if you have a loan with us, but not your current account(s). 

Should you select the incorrect account, you will need to reapply choosing the correct option.

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Which are you?
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OK, so you're an existing customer. Is the bank account for...
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Which statement best describes your organisation?
If your business turnover is over £2m, we'll ask to see evidence of this.
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You can apply online

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

 

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

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You can apply online

We'll ask to see evidence that your annual turnover is more than £2m. If you cannot provide this or you’ve been trading less than a year, go back and select the other option.

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

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Do you have a Relationship Manager?
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Call your Relationship Manager

You should have a direct number for them. You can discuss applying for an additional business account. They can start the application for you and arrange to get the appropriate signatures.


When can I call?

Business and Relationship Managers are available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

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No problem, we can still help.

You can use the form below to open an additional account.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 600 2230, or use the Relay UK Service: 18001 0345 600 2230.

More information on accessibility.

Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes. To see how much your call might cost, visit the call charge information page.

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Additional account opening form
Which statement best describes your organisation?
If your business turnover is over £2m, we'll ask to see evidence of this.
Previous
Next

You can apply online

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

 

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

Previous

You can apply online

We'll ask to see evidence that your annual turnover is more than £2m. If you cannot provide this or you’ve been trading less than a year, go back and select the other option.

This is the fastest way to complete your application.

1. We may use Mitek, formerly HooYu, our trusted online identification and security partner, to check your identity.

2. To see which documents are accepted for proof of identity and address you can visit our Mitek page.

3. Once we receive all your information, we'll review the application and will be in touch.

By starting your application online, you consent to the following:

  • Identity verification using our security partner Mitek.
  • A credit check on everyone on your application.

Apply by phone

 

Can’t apply online? You can complete your application via phone – discover how you can get in touch. After the call, you’ll need to bring your documents to us in branch or use a professional service provider. This is so we can verify your identity.

It’s likely that you will have to wait a few days for an appointment, and the appointment itself can take up to an hour. Please bear in mind that applying by phone can take longer than applying online.

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Already started an application?

Log in to continue or check the status of your Community bank account application in our online application centre.

You can use the same details that you created when you applied for your business account. If you haven’t already set up access to your online application centre, you can create a login now.

Due to increasingly high demand for our accounts, there will be a delay in opening your account. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this might cause you.

Circle Kinetic Illustration NW

Managing your Community account has never been easier

Visit our servicing hub for instant access to managing your business accounts, loans, credit cards and any other business service you have from Royal Bank of Scotland. 

Manage my business finances Open in new window

Community cash flow support

From time to time, you may need more than a bank account to manage your cash flow. Here are some other ways we could support your charity, club or community organisation.

Loans and finance options

Explore options based on your size, your needs, and your goals.

Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Subject to Status. Eligibility criteria apply.

See your options

Information Message

Business credit card

No annual fee for the first year (normally £30). Plus, you can manage your account with the ClearSpend app.*



Eligibility criteria apply. Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Subject to Status.

Our credit card features

Information Message

The flexibility of an overdraft

Our business overdraft helps you prepare for the unexpected. You’ll only pay interest on what you borrow.

Security may be required. Product fees may apply. Subject to Status.  Eligibility criteria apply.

Find out about overdrafts

Information Message

Business savings accounts

Make your money work as hard as you do with a Business Savings account. 

Eligibility criteria apply. 

View all business savings accounts

Information Message

Questions about this account?

Need more information before you apply?

Info about charges

If you’re a not-for-profit organisation, we’ll offer you free banking as long as your annual credit turnover doesn’t exceed £100,000. This means you won’t be charged a service charge as long as your organisation remains eligible. We’ll monitor your turnover and if we identify that you’ve exceeded £100,000 in any 12-month period, we will contact you to tell you that you’ll start to incur fees at the Standard Tariff listed for your everyday transactions.

Our charges are changing

Business Account Charges Booklet (PDF, 549 KB)
Effective for charging periods starting on or before 29th August 2025

Business Account Charges Booklet (PDF, 76 KB)
From 30th August 2025 the new charges will apply from the start of your next charging period.

For example, if your charging period starts on 29th August 2025, you will be charged based on the first booklet until the end of this charging period. After this period finishes, you will then move to the charges in the second booklet.

Information Message

Your money is protected

Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of Royal Bank of Scotland are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. Any deposits you hold above the limit are unlikely to be covered.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme Guide (PDF, 45 KB)

Information Message

Business account terms

Read our Business account terms document.

 

Business Account Terms (PDF, 279 KB)

Information Message

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