UK savings accounts for expats?

barlowsfr

Hi all.

We live in France and have French bank and savings accounts, but we have just inherited a large some of money in the UK and would like to spread it around UK banks (the exchange rate is too low to bring over yet). We still have a couple of bank accounts in the UK, but woundered who would let us open a new account as we no longer live there?

Many thanks

agsnu

Nobody, due to money laundering regulations.

bryanb

Best not mention where you live to the UK banks you have accounts with.
People often use parents etc addresses for this purpose ( but it's not exactly legal)

soulsaver

Northern Rock offshore if looking for safety, is one possibility - Guernsey (or Isle of Man?). Rates not brill, but deposits 100% guaranteed whilst NR owned by UKPLC.

And depending on your view of the certainty of Irish guarantees there is the option of Irish offshore Sterling accounts.

And can't you open Sterling accounts with UK banks in the EU? HSBC & Barclays have French branches?