Small CICs & social enterprises
A one or two-owner company-style social enterprise can often open a free Mettle account — no monthly fee, FSCS-protected eligible funds, and a native FreeAgent feed.
Business banking · The right account for your structure
Banking that fits how your organisation is actually run.
There's no one-size account for the social sector — a two-director CIC and a trustee-governed charity need very different things. We help you choose, and where a free Mettle account by NatWest fits, it pairs beautifully with FreeAgent.
The honest version
Which account suits which organisation
Registered charities
Trustee-governed charities need a charity or community bank account with multiple signatories and dual authorisation. We recommend the right specialist options for your size.
Whatever you choose
FreeAgent (included in every package) connects to most UK banks via open banking — so your books stay tidy no matter where you bank.
Financial controls
Banking that protects your trustees
- Dual authorisation — two people approve payments — as standard good practice
- Clear separation of restricted and unrestricted funds
- A bank feed into FreeAgent so reconciliations are quick and funder-ready
- Controls that satisfy funders, auditors and the regulator alike
Banking questions
Asked all the time
Can a CIC open a Mettle account?
A CIC limited by shares with one or two owners can generally apply — Mettle is built for sole traders and companies with up to two owners. A CIC limited by guarantee, or one with a larger board, usually won't fit Mettle's eligibility and needs a dedicated charity or business account.
Can a registered charity use Mettle?
Generally no. Mettle is designed for small businesses with one or two owners, not for charities governed by a board of trustees. Charities are better served by a specialist charity bank account — and we'll point you to the right options.
What banking do you recommend for the social sector?
It depends on your structure. Smaller, company-style social enterprises can benefit from a free Mettle account that feeds FreeAgent. Charities and larger organisations usually need a charity or community account with multiple signatories and dual authorisation — we advise on the best fit for your governance.
Does the banking work with FreeAgent?
Where a Mettle account fits, its transactions feed straight into FreeAgent, so your bookkeeping largely does itself. For other accounts, FreeAgent connects to most UK banks via open banking feeds.
Why does multiple-signatory banking matter?
Good financial controls — two people authorising payments — protect both your funds and your trustees personally. It's a governance expectation funders and regulators look for, and something we help you set up.
