A trade name, also called a "doing business as" (DBA) name, is the name under which your business operates publicly. It may match your legal company name, or it may be different: a brand name, a simpler version of the registered name, or a name for a specific product line or service.

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Trade name vs. company name\n

Your company name is your official legal registration with the government, the name that appears on contracts, tax filings, and incorporation documents. Your trade name is the public-facing identity your customers see and interact with.

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A company registered as "Smith & Partners Holdings B.V." might operate day-to-day under the trade name "Smith's Bakery." The legal entity is one; the brand is another. Some businesses use multiple trade names for different product lines, regions, or customer segments, all operating under the same registered company.

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Well-known examples: Alphabet Inc. trades publicly as Google. McDonald's Corporation operates under the trade name McDonald's. The legal and trading names serve different purposes and both have their place.

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Why your trade name matters\n

A well-chosen trade name does several things for your business:

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Brand recognition, it's how customers find, remember, and recommend you. A clear, memorable trade name builds trust over time.

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Legal protection, registering a trade name can prevent competitors from operating under the same name in your market or region.

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Professionalism, a distinct trade name signals that your business is established and purposeful, which matters when dealing with clients or suppliers for the first time.

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Flexibility, a trade name lets you operate multiple brands or revenue streams without registering separate legal entities for each one.

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Trade name registration requirements vary by country. In the Netherlands, trade names are registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK). Always check local requirements before using a trade name commercially.

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Trade Names in bunq\n

bunq supports multiple Trade Names under a single Business Account. This means you can operate different brands or revenue streams from one banking relationship, keeping transactions organized without running separate accounts for each trade name.

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When you add a Trade Name to your bunq Business Account, you can assign it to specific payments and accounts, making bookkeeping cleaner and your finances easier to track at a glance.

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Managing multiple Trade Names? bunq's business banking is built to handle the complexity that comes with running more than one brand. See how bunq Business works.

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Frequently asked questions\n

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Can I use a trade name without registering it? Rules vary by country. In many jurisdictions, you must register a trade name before using it commercially. Check local requirements.

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Can two businesses share the same trade name? In some cases, yes, if they operate in different industries or regions. Identical trade names in the same sector can create legal conflicts.

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Is a trade name the same as a trademark? No. A trade name identifies your business; a trademark protects a specific logo, slogan, or brand element. Both can coexist and reinforce each other.

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How many trade names can I add in bunq? bunq Business Accounts support multiple Trade Names. Check the bunq app or your plan details for the current limit.

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