Current accounts after going to live abroad

northerner77

Have heard different tale from friends in NZ & elsewhere about whether or not you're allowed to keep (using) current accounts with UK financial institutions. Anybody know which banks force you to close the account?Is it just building societies that make you do that? Can't find definitive answer to this after googling.

Thanks

Baldur

northerner77 wrote: »

Is it just building societies that make you do that?

I know several ex-pats who hold Nationwide current accounts despite living abroad, so it's certainly not all building societies.

northerner77

Baldur wrote: »

I know several ex-pats who hold Nationwide current accounts despite living abroad, so it's certainly not all building societies.

That's surprising as Nationwide also have an offshore arm.

Baldur

northerner77 wrote: »

That's surprising as Nationwide also have an offshore arm.

They held the accounts before moving abroad.

Opening a new account would probably be a different matter.

expatasia

Baldur wrote: »

Opening a new account would probably be a different matter.

Why is this still an issue? How long would one have to move back to the UK for to be able to open a bona fide current bank acc with building society or high street bank? How do they ask you to prove ID/address these days?

Baldur

expatasia wrote: »

Why is this still an issue? How long would one have to move back to the UK for to be able to open a bona fide current bank acc with building society or high street bank?

Pass - you'd need to ask the various institutions.

How do they ask you to prove ID/address these days?

The initial electronic check would be based on electoral roll data, etc., which may be followed by you having to produce documentary evidence, which can vary from institution to institution - for example, see https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Documents/OpeningAnAccountWithMetroBank.13.09.10.pdf

expatasia

Baldur wrote: »

The initial electronic check would be based on electoral roll data, etc., which may be followed by you having to produce documentary evidence, which can vary from institution to institution - for example, see https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Documents/OpeningAnAccountWithMetroBank.13.09.10.pdf

Thanks, why Metro Bank want TWO forms of address despite the person v possibly still being on the electoral reg beats me.

Last time I was back temporarily in Britain I just gave up in disgust after 'talking' to various institutions & even applying online, then getting knocked back/told to come up with more evidence. And yes I was (presumably still am) on the electoral roll.