This advice has been written in collaboration with local banks to help registered charities to open a bank account and maintain good banking practices.
Revised Banking Advice for Charities 7th July 2026
This advice has been written to help registered charities:
-open a bank account
-maintain good banking practices
– choose a suitable bank
General tips
Banks recognise that charities play a crucial role in supporting communities and, in turn, are committed to supporting them.
The following tips will help you when you approach a bank, regardless of which bank you choose to use.
When you go to open a bank account
Make sure:
- you are a registered NPO (nonprofit organisation) with the JFSC (Jersey Financial Services Commission) and have a registration number (Jersey Financial Services Commission (jerseyfsc.org))
- you are registered with the Jersey Charity Commissioner and have a registration number (Jersey Charity Commissioner & Register of Charities)
- that the governors of your charity are aware of their roles and responsibilities
- your charity has a copy of its constitution and latest AGM minutes as the bank may want to see these
- at least one of the governors of the charity has a Jersey address
- you are aware that if your charity has a PEP (Politically Exposed Person) as a governor, it will increase the amount of checks the bank will be required to make and this will likely increase the time necessary to open an account[1]
- to check the websites of all the high street banks in Jersey to help decide which is the best fit for your charity
- you are prepared to do online banking – it is encouraged by all high street banks now
- you are prepared to fill in all your forms online
- you will be able to visit your chosen bank at least once to deliver identification
- you read the account opening instructions and fill in all forms carefully
- all documentation required for KYC (Know Your Client) checks is the correct type of evidence, is in date and is certified as the bank requires
- all the forms are filled in accurately and all the correct documentation is supplied – this will make the account opening process quicker and easier
- you are prepared to complete a form, or part of an application form, to confirm your tax status. The banks have an obligation to check your tax status and may just ask for your Tax Identification Number or may ask you to complete a FATCA form (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and CRS form (Common Reporting Standard depending on the nature of the charity
To help maintain good banking practices
Make sure:
- to keep your bank up to date with any changes to governors
- to keep your bank up to date with any mandate (signatory) changes
- to keep the online banking details for your charity up to date (this is your responsibility, not the bank’s)
- you have internal financial controls within your charity – that is, systems in place to protect your charity’s assets. These can be straightforward measures such as having two people check the bank statements and ensuring all governors know how the money moves through the charity. The following resources may help:
Which bank is best for you?
Have a look at the websites of all the banks in Jersey to help decide which is best for your charity. Charity bank accounts are classed as business accounts.
Below is a guide to help you find out which of the main Jersey banks might suit you best (applicable at the time of writing July 2026):
Barclays
- Business banking | Channel Islands and Isle of Man | Barclays
- All enquiries are welcome and will be considered on their own merits
- Tiered account offering based on turnover / assets of the Charity ranging from Community account through to International Corporate account
- Account opening times are less than one month
Butterfield
- Jersey | Butterfield Group
- Accounts are self-service managed via a digital platform but with on island support & relationship teams available as required
- Cashless account
- Charity must make local dispersals only
- Local PEPs can be accommodated
- Charity governors do not already need to bank with Butterfield
- Account open in up to 4 weeks; subject to further documentation requests
- No debit card, no cash machines
- A SumUp machine can be linked to an account and funds paid directly into the account
- Minimum deposit GBP 25,000.00
HSBC
If you’re applying for a charity account, the organisation must:
- be registered with the relevant charity regulator in Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
- operate primarily for the benefit of the island where it’s registered
- have a clearly defined charitable purpose
- ensure all key controllers, trustees, and authorised signatories are resident in Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
- not carry out overseas activity, other than incidental fundraising or support that aligns to its charitable purpose
Additional points (still applicable, but not currently shown on the website)
- You don’t need one of your governors to hold a personal HSBC account in order to open a charity account.
- Charities that HSBC defines as a small business must benefit the local community and/or the Island.
Account opening timescales
- The website currently shows an account opening timeframe of 8 to 10 weeks, although this is under review.
- All charities are offered a Charitable Account for which charges apply New Business Account Opening (hsbc.com)
Lloyds
Lloyds are proud to work with charities and community organisations across the Crown Dependencies and have recently enhanced their Accounts to better reflect your needs, including widening eligibility so more organisations can benefit from a subsidised banking proposition.
Alongside this, Lloyds have introduced a number of improvements designed in response to customer feedback including more flexible access to funds and a more modern, digital banking experience. While some charges apply, these remain significantly reduced compared to Lloyds standard business offering.
Lloyds have been working closely with the Association of Guernsey Charities and the Jersey Charity Commissioner as part of this process. They are committed to continuing that dialogue and ensuring their services work for the sector.
If you’d like to talk through what this means for your organisation, Lloyds would be very happy to help. You can find more information on their website.
For awareness, the links below are live on the website and show the correct/discounted rates:
Business Banking Guide (full fees) – Access here
Island Charity and Community Guide (discounted fees) – Access here
NatWest
- Business Banking | NatWest International
- You do not need one of your governors to have a personal account with NatWest to open a charity account here
- Charities are offered a Business Bank Account which is completed online. There is a monthly fee and charges for some services: Business Account | Business Banking | NatWest International
- Mandate changes can be made using a mandate update form: Manage Your Business Signatories | NatWest International
- NatWest International offers two areas in their Library Place branch that charities can use to hold meetings and events – the Market Stall and Event Space. Charities who do not bank with NatWest International can use the spaces and they are free of charge
- Account opening times are typically within 30 days.
(Timelines depend on customer responsiveness – specifically, how quickly required information and documentation are provided, and how promptly electronic identification/KYC steps are completed. Where everything is submitted promptly, accounts can often be opened more quickly through a self-serve digital journey)
Santander
Island Banking | Santander International
This information was published on the 7th July 2026 and will be updated from time to time. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Commissioner’s team:
Office 3, Cumulus 1, Forum 3,
Grenville Street, St. Helier, JE2 4UF
01534 760810
Info@charitycommissioner.je
A PEP is an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function including, but not limited to, heads of state, heads of government, senior politicians, senior government, judicial or military officials, senior executives of state-owned corporations, important political party officials and the immediate family members and close associates of these people; as set out in Article 15A(3) of the Money Laundering (Jersey) Order 2008.
