Opening a UK bank account while living abroad

Wordsmith

Situation: I live in Ireland and have a bank account with the Halifax in the UK. I have an overdraft with H but have been scared by the stories I have been reading about overdrafts being taken away with no warning, so I thought I would open a basic bank account for the few transactions that go through every month (property rental coming in, mortgage payment going out, loan DD going out, maybe a couple of odd payments here and there).

So far: The long version of this is on the DFW board. The short version is: I have tried opening a basic bank account with Lloyds TSB, HSBC and First Direct, but cannot do so because I am not resident in the UK. I have tried various offshore accounts etc. but am thwarted because I do not have the odd quarter of a million to start off an account (OK, HSBC want only £5,000, but it might as well be the quarter of a million that BoI want). I have also tried Irish banks in the UK, but as I am self-employed they don’t want to know.

Question: Do you know of an account that is very simple - couple of montly transactions in, couple of monthly transactions out - that I can open from outside of the UK when I haven't got a good credit rating? That is, a basic account, but a non-UK correspondence address (but property and family in the UK). No overdraft, no frills, NO CHARGES. I can prove who I am, what my address is abroad, and that the property in the UK is mine.

olly300

The only way to get a bank account would be to use a UK address and you would have to have utility bills in your name to prove that you resided at this address.

Due to money laundering regulations UK banks are very strict on who they open accounts for.

I work/have worked with and knew students who all had problems opening UK bank accounts even though they could prove they had an address in the UK, prove they worked/studied in the UK and in some cases:
1. Already had a relationship with the bank in question by banking at a subsidiary aboard, or
2. Was in a relationship and lived with someone who had been the banks customer for years.

System

Maybe i'm missing something, but even if Halifax remove your overdraft, you'll just be left with a standard current account with no overdraft - this seems to be what your seeking from another bank.

The only other suggestion, is trying Ulster bank as they have branches in both parts of Ireland. They may be able to open an account in NI, which would then be in pounds.

Wordsmith wrote: »

Situation: I live in Ireland and have a bank account with the Halifax in the UK. I have an overdraft with H but have been scared by the stories I have been reading about overdrafts being taken away with no warning, so I thought I would open a basic bank account for the few transactions that go through every month (property rental coming in, mortgage payment going out, loan DD going out, maybe a couple of odd payments here and there).

So far: The long version of this is on the DFW board. The short version is: I have tried opening a basic bank account with Lloyds TSB, HSBC and First Direct, but cannot do so because I am not resident in the UK. I have tried various offshore accounts etc. but am thwarted because I do not have the odd quarter of a million to start off an account (OK, HSBC want only £5,000, but it might as well be the quarter of a million that BoI want). I have also tried Irish banks in the UK, but as I am self-employed they don’t want to know.

Question: Do you know of an account that is very simple - couple of montly transactions in, couple of monthly transactions out - that I can open from outside of the UK when I haven't got a good credit rating? That is, a basic account, but a non-UK correspondence address (but property and family in the UK). No overdraft, no frills, NO CHARGES. I can prove who I am, what my address is abroad, and that the property in the UK is mine.