HSBC or Barclays?

Mammal

I´m a foreigner in the UK and I need to open a bank account. I wanted to choose an international one, I don´t know if HSBC or Barclays would be the best.
Any ideas on this?

izools

Unequivocally and absolutely HSBC, every time.

pmduk

HSBC are generally regarded as more helpful in these circumstances. I doubt whether most Barclays staff would know the procedure.

grumbler

Mammal wrote: »

...I wanted to choose an international one,...

What are you implying by 'international'?

Do you have any proofs of your UK address?

9217niall

Having accounts with both of these banks, I can wholeheartedly recommend HSBC. Barclays have been, quite honestly, useless. Only thing I use them for now is my ISA.

Mammal

grumbler wrote: »

What are you implying by 'international'?

Do you have any proofs of your UK address?

Yes, I am working as an au pair in the UK and my hostmother gave me proof of address.

When I say international I mean a bank that is present oversees, which might be useful for travelling as well.

It seems like everyone thinks HSBC is the best. What does this bank have that barclays hasn´t?.
Also, is there HSBC in Spain? (That is my country of origin).

FireWyrm

This might be helpful : http://www.hsbc.es/1/2/esp/es/home

grumbler

Mammal wrote: »

When I say international I mean a bank that is present oversees, which might be useful for travelling as well.

I have never found it useful. I find it much more useful to have a debit and/or a credit card that doesn't charge you for overseas transactions, including ATM withdrawals.

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