Opening a UK bank account when living in Belgium

korrah1980

Hello
Maybe somebody can help?
My father is British but has been living in Belgium (part of the EU) for the last 15 years. One of his pensions is now paying out early so he is getting a lump sum of money every year but he does not have a UK bank account so it is going into my account.
He needs to open a basic UK bank or savings account so the money can be paid directly into that and he does not want any credit, just a basic cash card so he can draw money out either in the UK or Belgium. Apparently it is very difficult to open a UK account if you are not a resident and I do not want him using my address to do this as he was declared bankrupt about 15 years ago and I don't know how that would affect my credit rating on my address. He has now paid all his creditors so in theory he should be able to get a bank account.

Does anybody know of a bank or credit union that will open bank accounts for non UK residents?

He is in the UK at the moment trying to sort this so any quick responses would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
korrah1980

Madcat23

He might try asking his Belgian bank to open an account for him in the UK via any bank to bank relationships they might have.
If all he is going to do is transfer money from his new account to Belgium, I expect most banks wouldn't be too interested as there is little/no money to be had from him, therefore a basic bank account might be his only option if the Belgian bank can't help him.
See if any UK banks allow you to open accounts on-line without having to physically attend a branch eg can he send any proofs of ID through the post or via 3rd party?
Normally, banks will want one form of ID + 2 proofs of address.

LeifGR

korrah1980 wrote: »

Apparently it is very difficult to open a UK account if you are not a resident

Yes, it is difficult. Many UK citizens overseas who faced similar issues have had to resort to opening an account on one of the Channel Islands or Isle of Man. Most of the UK High Street banks have offshore operations -- just Google for offshore current account and you'll find them.

However, be very careful to read and understand what level of depositor protection comes with the account. I think Isle of Man is a little bit better than Guernsey/Jersey, but still appaling in comparison with the mainland UK. Lots of ordinary overseas UK citizens like your dad were caught out by this when their money in Kaupthing Isle of Man was obliterated in 2008.

fawinds

Probably the easiest bank account to open would be the Halifax Easycash, they will only ask for a photocopy of his passport and to sign a declaration of his UK address.

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/easycash.asp

It could be your address, I don't foresee any problems to your credit rating. A 15 year-old bankruptcy is too old and credit reporting agencies should have no record of it. Besides, as long as you don not share any financial product, you will not be linked for the mere fact of using the same address. Credit rating rates people, not addresses.

Other option could be a prepaid card where his pension could be paid in.

crispy_chris

fawinds wrote: »

Probably the easiest bank account to open would be the Halifax Easycash, they will only ask for a photocopy of his passport and to sign a declaration of his UK address.

The declaration you have to sign gets posted to the address you put on your app though so you do actually have to live there.