bank account for newcomer

dradilmahmood

Hello Guyz,

I am a new comer to UK and want to open a bank account here. I have got the tenancy agreement sorted out and applied for NI No. but now my next thing is bank account

I think so, first any bank will allow me to open basic bank account only... some relative around me are giving advice to open account with Barclays...but i want to get any fair idea which bank is best for me...i want to get an idea what people generally recommend here.

Bundles of thanks

Dr_Cuckoo3

What country did you come from ?

Bank of Baroda
State Bank of India
ICICI
United National Bank
Habib Bank

are here in the UK and offer current accounts with debit cards and chequebooks

dradilmahmood

i came from KSA at this time

Basically em from Pakistan


is habib bank good??? i m in Birmingham and what about barclays

i just want to start off

thanks dr cuckoo

Dr_Cuckoo3

Habib Bank are in Birmingham

http://www.habibbankuk.com/

Bank of Baroda are in Birmingham

http://www.bankofbarodauk.com/

Islamic Bank of Britain are in Birmingham
http://www.islamic-bank.com/

United National Bank are in Birmingham

http://www.unbankltd.com/

I think United National Bank will be the most flexible , I have an account there

dradilmahmood

Dr cuckoo3

thank you once again.


but there is no basic bank account...i think so there is 90days deposit notice account, savings and current account and the last one fixed deposit


which one would be the better in my circumstances???


i am thinking of opening a joint bank account

Dr_Cuckoo3

The current account should be available to you straight away , it is only the silly UK people who need basic bank accounts


For UK basic bank accounts -

If you don't have the proof of address that the UK banks are seeking then Co-op Bank accept a TV license as proof of address and a black & white TV license costs £49
http://ask.co-operativebank.co.uk/help/customer_services/address_proof

the basic bank account is called cashminder
http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/servlet/Satellite/1193206368743,CFSweb/Page/Bank-CurrentAccounts

If you open an account with one of the foreign banks in Birmingham you can use your statement as proof of address

Bank of Baroda UK will open an account even if you don't live in the UK - so you could use an overseas address

Dr_Cuckoo3

Savings account with chequebook and debit card from Bank of Baroda


http://www.bankofbarodauk.com/retail-banking/deposit-products/savings-accounts/
(1) Identity Proof
(any of the following documents)

Passport
Full UK driving license with photograph
Govt. Employees photo ID card
(2) Latest Address Proof
(any of the following documents) - Not earlier than three months period

Utility bill viz. Gas, Electricity, Telephone (Land Line), Water Council Tax Notice/Bill
Rental Agreement with Land Lord
Latest UK Bank statement

dradilmahmood

Dr cuckoo3

So i can open current account with any bank now as i have tenancy agreement and proof of identity...

And you think united bank is the good among all the banks at present

Thanks a lot

Lets see what other recommend about it

Fingers crossed

Dr_Cuckoo3

dradilmahmood wrote: »

Dr cuckoo3

So i can open current account with any bank now as i have tenancy agreement and proof of identity...

And you think united bank is the good among all the banks at present

Habib Bank will be good but the minimum balance is £1000

not all banks will accept the tenancy agreement , Baroda accept it (according to website) and will send a statement which all the other banks will accept

dradilmahmood

So dr cuckoo3 you suggest that first i should go with bank of baroda's savings account

Then bank statement from it would be sufficient for main street banks and i can apply for any type of account in them

They have written min balance should be 200gbp which is good and i can use natwest bank for atm cash withdrawal and cheques in natwest branch

Appears to be a good idea

Dr_Cuckoo3

yes - that's correct

Also the Bank of Baroda account only requires £100 balance and the card can be used at all UK cash machines (eg Barclays , Lloyds) free and in shops