'Foreigner' wanting to open bank account

Sting_2

Hope someone can help me here.

I have a collegue who has just started working for us, he is from the Republic of Ireland and needs to open a UK bank account for his salary.

He is having a lot of trouble getting one, mainly because he has not had a UK address for the past 3 years. Does anyone know of any banks who might give him an account? he is not looking for overdrafts or credit cards, just a simple bank account.

Thanks in advance.

grumbler

A collegue of mine in exactly the same situation seccessfully opened Lloyds TSB Classic (Plus?) account about a year ago. She was reccommended by her friend and both of them even received £40(?) incentive that time.

It always helps if a newcomer has a letter from employer (stating the salary and the terms of contract) and is recommended personally by some existing customer. He still must have some proof of address.

See also Opening a bank account if you are new or returning to the UK and other BBA Leaflets ...

MyUserNamesTaken

Natwest. They gave my partner a current account when he moved over from Germany. I had to put him on a couple of bills, mind you (water bills did it) to prove address. Natwest were quite happy with this and gave him an account.

darkcloudi

When I went to Republic of Ireland to work for a year all I needed was my Passport, place of work as this was chased up by them to confirm I will be making regular deposits and I think a national insurance number so I can't see it being any different in the UK.

My statements were being sent to a UK address - this was cause my first month was in a Bed and Breakfast and never knew where my address would be - but this was all ok with the bank.

As grumbler suggests get a letter from employer that is very useful.

tipsychick

Er, Bank of Ireland? (If your colleague's in London, there's a branch in Kilburn High St).

They surely must have dealt with that one before!

poolprouk

I take it none of the 'better' current accounts take non uk residents.

My partner is an Aussie and has just moved here on an unmarried partner visa.

Do you think we would be able to apply for one of the top paying accounts jointly?

Thanks,

Murray

Annando

When my husband, who is an EU citizen, moved to the UK 7 years ago he was in the same situation, had a job but no bank account and couldn't get paid! He was living at a B&B and had no proof of address, just his employer's letter. He did the rounds of the usual banks, Lloyds, Natwest, etc... The only bank that gave him a bank account was Barclays.

When I came over 6 months later, EU citizen as well, we were not yet married, we wanted to have a joint account, the bank said no, the only thing they could do was authorise me to sign his cheques, but no debit card, much less a credit card! Most of the bills were in my name and still no way I could open a bank account. This situation lasted for about a year, until we decided to get married (we had been living together for more than 5 years!), we only got married to solve this financial situation. To all effects, because I wasn't working (was studying at the time) I was in financial limbo and considered a non-person!

I see this situation repeating itself with EU students at Uni, they have to wait ages and have letters from their parents proving their income etc... this despite the fact that they are getting an account with no overdraft facilities!

I know from experience that opening current accounts in other EU countries is much simpler and straight forward than here! Your passport and a regular income (or a big deposit) is all you need!

Sting_2

Thanks everyone for you replys, my collegue and I are both based in Leicester which does have both a 'Bank of Ireland' and an AIB. The AIB didn't want to know (it was a business only branch) and neither could the Bank of Ireland.

He did however have success with Lloyds TSB and now has an account with them. He had tried Alliance and Leicester and HSBC. A+L were a no-no (shame, could have got £50 for reccommeding him) and HSBC did not accept his letter stating he was employed with our company (it was not addressed to HSBC, therefore not acceptable!).

Looks like it is a bit 'luck of the draw' from everyone elses comments.