Hi all,

I am currently in the British army and serving in Germany. I am in the process of starting up a business but I am having difficulty opening up a business bank account.

I have a virtual office address in London but my normal mail address is has a BFPO postcode which always fails credit checks as it is not on the electoral register. The address that I had before that (4 year ago) is a UK based army married quarter and although they have UK postcodes, they mostly fail credit checks.

As I live in Germany I have a German address. Has anybody had any experience of the accounts that the banks offer accounts where the business is registered in the UK but the Director/Owner lives overseas and what are they like.

I have already been turned down by HSBC. My business involves re-selling Lottery tickets and they informed me that they did not deal with such companies.

I am after a Business bank account with either a credit or debit card. I do not need any loans etc as this venture is totally self funded.

So far I have only aplied to HSBC but I have sent other banks emails giving them the details outlined above and asking whether this is going to be a problem. I am after having as few credit checks done as possible which is why I have not applied for more banks but am asking for advice on the best avenues to follow first.

Can anybody recommend a bank or service that I can take a look at given my situation.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance
John