USD account in UK

guynextdoor82

Hi, I just wanted to find out if any bank has USD account but serviced in UK...
Ive for an American Express USD charge card and they accept payments only in USD

Any help would me much appreciated

Josh

ManAtHome

Have a look at HSBC and Nationwide international sites as a starter
http://www.offshore.hsbc.com/1/2/international/how-can-we-help-you/Banking-investing-and-borrowing-in-us-dollar
http://www.nationwideinternational.com/accounts/accounts_dollar_glance.htm

I'm sure there will be many others - most of the "name" banks seem to have some alternative currency accounts.

guynextdoor82

HSBC is very expensive !!!

Lazy_Runner

Citibank do a USD account but you need to maintain a minimum amount to avoid charges.

Lloyds TSB may also do a USD account, but again with charges.

paulspenceley

guynextdoor82 wrote: »

Hi, I just wanted to find out if any bank has USD account but serviced in UK...
Ive for an American Express USD charge card and they accept payments only in USD

Could I ask how you were able to get a UK based USD AMEX charge card?

Thanks,
Paul

gt94sss2

This is the correct link for the HSBC UK USD account - the one previously mentioned in this thread was with HSBC offshore (i.e. Channel Islands) and not HSBC UK

Alternatively, (especially if you are an existing customer) HSBC UK can open a USD account for you with HSBC USA - a few years ago, they arranged for me to have a US-based current account and credit account.

Regards
Sunil

guynextdoor82

paulspenceley wrote: »

Could I ask how you were able to get a UK based USD AMEX charge card?

Thanks,
Paul

Here's the link : http://www.americanexpress.com/lacidc/iccsite/american_express_dollar_and_euro_card.shtml

PLUS NO CREDIT CHECK AND CRITERIA REQUIRED !!!:rotfl:

Entertainer

You can have a Citibank current account in the U.K which is free if you keep £2000 equivalent across all your Citibank accounts. Under the same roof you can have a US dollar current account, savings account, a Euro current account and Euro savings account and a Sterling current account. You also get a Visa debit card which you can link to one of your current accounts (USD, Euro or £) and then make free withdrawals in that currency when you visit the country from a Citibank ATM or use it as a debit card. You can relink it to another of the current accounts when you want.

So if you visit the US you can withdraw up to the equivalent of £2000 worth of US dollars per day or £4000 per week completely free. If you want to transfer more money to the U.S you would need to open a Citibank US account (I haven't tried this yet but have been told it can be done) then do a free global transfer from Citibank U.K and collect the money in the U.S.

The Citibank U.K US dollar savings account also doesn't require the £2000 balance equivalent in order to remain free as well.

Doppleganger

Entertainer wrote: »

You also get a Visa debit card which you can link to one of your current accounts (USD, Euro or £) and then make free withdrawals in that currency when you visit the country from a Citibank ATM or use it as a debit card. You can relink it to another of the current accounts when you want.

Great post - but how do you link the card to an account? I've been wondering how to spend my US$

:beer:

Paul_Varjak

If you are visiting USA and can provide some proof of your address there (not a hotel) it is possible to open a US-based US Dollar account. Even Russian students can do this during 4 month cultural visits to the USA!

In order to open a US-based account you need one at least one (maybe two) Photo ID (eg passport/driving licence) and one proof of your US address.

I have been looking for a US-based account for Russian students that comes with a debit card that can be used free in cash machines when they go back to Russia. For this purpose I think the account offered by COMMERCE BANK is best. There are no fees for student accounts and no fees for ATM withdrawals and they even refund fees charged by ATM owner (within certain monthly limits). Most non-student bank accounts in US do charge a fee unless you have healthy balance.

Commerce Bank also provide online account management and, when you call them, a person answers (not a machine). You will have to open an account at a Commerce Bank branch (not internet or phone) and your Visa Debit card will be ready to collect from that outlet the same day!

BTW, Commerce Bank gets rave reviews (just like First Direct in the UK) but it is a fairly young bank and I don't think it has links with banks outside US.

It is still easier for foreigners to open a US-based account than foreigners to open UK-based accounts (in spite of the USA Patriot Act).

I think it may be best to avoid wesbites that tell you (for a fee) how to open a US-based account when you do not live in US.

inmypocketnottheirs

guynextdoor82 wrote: »

Here's the link : http://www.americanexpress.com/lacidc/iccsite/american_express_dollar_and_euro_card.shtml

PLUS NO CREDIT CHECK AND CRITERIA REQUIRED !!!:rotfl:

I am a little confused!

Are you sure no credit check?

Who actually issued the card?

Thanks!