WER were obliged to give details for *all* Directors,
even though we made
it clear that only three would have any power over the account.
I've just been visiting some banks and some wanted details of all
directors, but they only actually wanted ID and whatever from
signatories. Others only cared about signatories.
ps. sfaiaa other banks in addition to the Co-operative
Bank plc were
approached; I just don't know which. The Coop happens to have a specific
account for community organisations thus were the preferred option.
Most of the banks I spoke to had a dedicated community or charity
account (Nationwide and Abbey only had savings accounts for them, I
assume we want a full current account?).
I spoke to HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and Natwest, all said much the same
things (I have leaflets and packs and forms and things from them which
I will bring on Sunday [if I can make it - it's possible I won't,
something has come up that may get in the way]). All except Natwest
said they wouldn't do any credit checks on signatories, they just need
two forms of ID (one with address). Natwest said they would credit
check, but it was easy to pass and students should have no problem (I
realised after I left that I hadn't mentioned it was an incorporated
charity, the checks may only be for unincorporated since the directors
are personally liable then - we can double check that later). They all
want all kinds of paperwork - the Mem and Arts, Certificate of
Incorporation, minutes of the board meeting appointing officers and
deciding to open a bank account, etc. It's all stuff we can manage,
though. The checks they do run (to check you exist, I suppose) should
take a week or two. I asked HSBC (forgot to ask the rest) about
under-18 directors and they said it would only be an issue if we
wanted to borrow money (which we don't), and even then it might be
fine (she wasn't sure).