Getting a bank account

JRDSP

Hi there
My girlfriend is Greek Cypriot and came to London as a student. She's been using a Cypriot bank card to make withdrawals and has lost loads of money on conversion. She's on a temporary job now and is struggling to get a bank account. Its like a vicious circle: the bank wants utility bills but she doesn't pay any, she can't get a pay monthly phone because she doesn't have a bank account.
Can somebody help!!!!

Cheers

SparciaM

HSBC offer a Passport account for foreign nationals. All you need is your passport and documentation showing you can work in this country. Check it out at their website.

https://www.hsbc.co.uk or .com

Bokken_2

Welcome to MSE.
You will need to select a bank and go in and sit down with a personal banker explain the situation and see what they can do for you.Take her documents along ie. passport and anything else you may have .
The initial solution may be to have a joint account with you,over the next year or so until her credit rating is established with the bank.
good luck.

JRDSP

Thanks for that. Much appreciated!